VISITING HOSPITAL

All hospital visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask. Expand this message for information about visiting hospital.

Last updated:
13 March 2023

Some visitor restrictions for all Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury hospitals and health facilities remain in place, but we have relaxed others.

There is still a heightened risk to vulnerable people in hospital and so we recommend all people wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities and follow other advice designed to keep patients, staff and  visitors safe.

To keep everybody safe:

  • Visitors or support people must not visit our facilities if they are unwell. Do not visit if you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t completed your isolation period.
  • Patients may have more than one visitor, except in some situations such as multi-bed rooms where it can cause overcrowding.
  • Surgical/medical masks are recommended to be worn at all sites. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one.
  • For Specialist Mental Health Services everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a face mask in all inpatient areas and areas where consumers are receiving care (i.e. community appointments, home-visits, transporting people). Discretion may be applied in cases where masks impair your ability to communicate effectively.
  • Visitors must not eat or drink in multibed rooms because of the increased risk when multiple people remove their face mask in the same space.
  • Hand sanitiser is available and must be used.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Visiting patients with COVID-19

  • People can visit patients who have COVID-19 but they must wear an N95 mask – this will be provided if you don’t have one.
  • Other methods of communication will be facilitated e.g. phone, Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp etc where visits aren’t possible.

All of our Hospitals

Visiting hours for our hospitals have returned to pre COVID-19 hours with the exception of Christchurch Women’s Hospital.

All visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask.

Parents/caregivers are able to be with their child in hospital and visitors are now allowed, except for the Children’s Haematology and Oncology Day stay where just one parent/caregiver is able to attend their appointment with their child. Exceptions by special arrangement only.

Patients and visitors can also read the additional COVID-19 related visiting guidelines .

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 24 June 2024

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 24 June 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

With Matariki observed on Friday, we look at what the rising of this cluster of stars of signifies, and how our kaimahi are learning from Matariki to enhance patient care. We also look at new initiatives under way to support and improve outcomes for disability, rainbow and ethnically diverse populations.

Making participation in sport safer for older people is the focus of new research by a Waitaha Canterbury cardiology registrar, and we celebrate some of our long-serving volunteers at Burwood Hospital. And with winter at the door, Christchurch Women’s Hospital Maternity Services is putting out the call for donations of knitted items for newborn babies.

You can read the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 17 June 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

To mark National Volunteer Week this week we profile some of the many hundreds of volunteers who support our health services across Waitaha Canterbury. We also highlight the work of our Hauora Māori kaimahi, who are seeing improved results for patient care from a project to digitise data collection.

In One minute with … we meet Julie Broker, Nurse Manager, Integration at Ashburton Hospital, and we take a closer look at Cytomegalovirus (CMV), one of the most common, but least known causes of newborn disability.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 10 June 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

We’re celebrating an international design award! Klein Architects and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora have won recognition for two specialist mental health facilities which opened at Hillmorton last year. We farewell Christchurch Hospital Pharmacist Janelle Kennedy who has retired after 34 years in the Pharmacy department.

In One minute with … we meet Kirsty Lacey, Graphic Designer with the Medical Illustrations team. Our Akoranga lesson this month looks ahead to Matariki, marking the new year in the Māori calendar. We also have an update on the successful pilot of a new checklist that will help improve treatment for patients with traumatic brain injury.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Tuesday 4 June 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the Christchurch Health Precinct, Te Papa Hauora, and we hear from partnership leaders about the success of this unique initiative.

We celebrate with Director of Allied Health Rose Henderson, who received her ONZM at a ceremony in Wellington recently. And In One minute with … we meet Clinical Nurse Specialist with Specialist Mental Health Service Glenda Eggelton.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 27 May 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

We acknowledge the success of the Patient Information Team at Christchurch Hospital, who have won recognition as Privacy Champions, and there’s good news for breastfeeding staff at Ashburton Hospital with a new dedicated space available.

In One minute with … we hear from Court Liaison Nurse, Specialist Mental Health Service Jill Oetgen, who has an interesting role liaising with the Criminal Court. We meet some new staff who are championing sustainability across the region, and we congratulate students who have completed Te Papa Hauora’s annual Future Leaders Programme.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 20 May 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

We feature an inspiring story about how Ward BG at Burwood Hospital is using music to help make a huge difference for consumers, and we mark the retirement of Executive Director Maternity and Midwifery Norma Campbell, after four decades in midwifery and health leadership roles.

In One minute with … we meet Professional Development Unit Nurse Educator Neil Hellewell, and we acknowledge the recipients of local nursing awards as part of International Nurses Day.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 13 May 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

Yesterday was International Nurses Day and we mark the vital contribution of the thousands of nurses making a difference for the health and wellbeing of communities in Waitaha Canterbury.

In One minute with … we meet Maries Villa, Occupational Health Nurse, and in the second of our profiles on members of the Disability Steering Group we catch up with Paul Barclay. We also meet the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) team, and there’s a reminder about Pink Shirt Day on Friday – with information and resources on how you can take part.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 6 May 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

We mark some key occasions this week, including International Day of the Midwife, World Hand Hygiene Day and New Zealand Sign Language Week – catching up with Christchurch Hospital Volunteer Noelani Ritchie who has been recognised by Deaf Aotearoa for her commitment to promoting the language.

Retiring Medical Officer Pippa Mackay looks back on an eventful three-decade career, and we say farewell to Riverside Wards 23, 24, and 25. We also introduce a new role that’s supporting kaimahi with training and strategies to reduce harm from violence in the workplace.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 29 April 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

Last week’s Anzac Day service at the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel was a significant occasion – the first Anzac service at the chapel since the Christchurch earthquakes and the restoration of the historic building. We feature photos from the service, along with moving stories from the chapel’s history.

In One minute with … we meet Kaiwhakaako Māori Nurse Educator (NESP) Aroha de Bie, and there’s a new pilot project under way with 10 Canterbury pharmacies offering enhanced assessment and treatment for a range of common health conditions.

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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 22 April 2024In this edition of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

This week is Administrative Professionals Week – and to celebrate we profile some of the many teams and individuals keeping the wheels turning across the Waitaha Canterbury health system. It’s also World Immunisation Week and we take a look at an innovate partnership that’s boosting vaccination rates for at-risk tamariki.

We meet Jo Kennedy who has been recognised as one of a select group of Physiotherapy Specialists, and in One minute with … we catch up with Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Social Worker Melissa Woolley. You can also read about the new cuddle cots donated to Christchurch Women’s Hospital, helping parents to navigate the loss of their pēpi.  

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 15 April 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

Clinical Physiologist and runner Cameron Avery is in Vienna this week pursuing his dream of qualifying for the marathon at the Paris Olympics – good luck, Cameron! Also this week, find out how Nurse Practitioner training is making a difference to the scope of care Clinical Nurse Specialist Sally Fitzgerald is offering her patients.

The Hospital Tramping Club (now the Hagley Tramping Club) was formed 50 years ago – we catch up with one of the current members. In One minute with … we meet Mike Manahi, Pūkenga Atawhai (Māori Mental Health Worker) at Hillmorton, and we mark the close of Karalyn van Deursen’s 13 years managing communications and crises in Waitaha Canterbury.

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 8 April 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

Health Minister Hon Dr Shane Reti was on hand last week to officially open Christchurch’s new central city birthing unit Kurawaka: Waipapa – a modern, spacious facility that offers a warm and supportive environment for māmā and pēpi.

We catch up with Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDM) Coordinator and Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade member Stela Cruickshank, who is training for the 2024 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge next month, and in One minute with … we meet Department of Nursing Administrator Sana Irtiza.

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui Tuesday 2 April 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

It’s been a week of milestones with a blessing for four refurbished wards as part of the Parkside Ward Enhancements project, and a mihi whakatau to welcome the incoming VIVA (Vessel Health Preservation and Intravenous Access) team. There was also a welcome for staff at the new Kurawaka: Waipapa birthing unit – plus we have information on how people can contribute to fundraising for the facility.

We’re on hand to capture the huge smiles as the crew from kids TV show What Now? and Cookie Time visit the Children’s Ward at Christchurch Hospital to spread some chocolatey Easter joy. With flu season not far away, there’s news for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora staff about vaccination clinics starting soon. 

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 25 March 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

In the first of a series on our Canterbury Waitaha Disability Steering Group, we meet Independent Chair Grant Cleland, who brings his life-long lived experience of disability to improve the experience of the health system for disabled and Deaf people and their whānau.

There’s a long weekend coming up, so check up on how you can access healthcare if you’re away during the holiday break. We share photos of the colourful characters and the action on the water from the annual Paediatric Boat Race on the Avon River.

In One minute with … we meet Radiation Therapist Renee Smith, and we introduce the Refugee Health Service, a confidential and free health service from Pegasus Health that’s helping former refugees access healthcare in Christchurch and Ashburton.

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui Monday 18 March 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

Christchurch’s new community birthing unit Kurawaka: Waipapa celebrated a milestone last Friday, with guests gathering for a moving blessing ceremony ahead of the formal opening next month. We also bump into musician Jordan Luck, who was at Burwood Hospital recently to judge some amazing cupcakes, as part of activities to mark Brain Awareness Week.

In One minute with… we meet Allied Health Assistant Stephen Southcombe who is working to support consumers in the community, building skills and enhancing their quality of life. There’s also news about a colourful mural taking shape in Christchurch, that’s helping to raise funds for the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust’s Ranui House.

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 11 March 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

There were smiles all round as an international visitor had a delightful reunion with her former surgeon and nurses – 52 years after life-changing treatment at Christchurch Hospital’s Spinal Unit. We also meet retiring Ashburton Hospital Staff Nurse Ros Gibb, who has seen a great deal of change over her 50 years of service.

We continue our International Women’s Day feature with four more profiles of women making a difference in Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Canterbury Waitaha, and we catch up with two kaimahi who recently completed the gruelling Old Ghost Ultra endurance race.

In One Minute With … Occupational Therapist Louise Rutherford talks about her role supporting tangata whaiora at Hillmorton, and we hear about Simone Kinley’s new role dedicated to supporting the welfare and wellbeing of Specialist Mental Health Service (SMHS) staff.

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 4 March 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

We mark International Women’s Day this week with profiles of some of the many women working in Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Canterbury Waitaha, who are making outstanding contributions to the community and to their colleagues.

It’s also Endometriosis Awareness Month, and we hear from Medical Specialist at Christchurch Women’s Hospital Keryn Harlow about a new cross-department collaboration that’s giving patients early access to critical surgery.

We drop in on a successful careers expo held in Christchurch last week, attended by more than 200 secondary students from across Canterbury. In One Minute With … Senior Clinical Psychologist Johannah Betman shares some insights into her role with the Adult Community Mental Health team, and new facilities at our Hillmorton campus gain certification as a breastfeeding-friendly workplace.

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 26 February 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

In Pānui this week we welcome 62 new house officers, who are starting out on their medical careers at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Canterbury Waitaha. Also starting a new career is Registered Nurse Lisa Zandbergen who completed the Nurse Entry to Specialist Practice (NESP) first year at Hillmorton last year.

We spend One minute with… Registered Nurse Tamati Wairepo, who is providing nursing care for children in the Paediatric Medical Ward, and we drop in on the Public Health nursing team at a hugely successful vaccination event for students at University Canterbury. Make sure you catch up on the latest update to the COVID-19 vaccine which will be more effective against new subvariants.

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury PānuiIn this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

In this week’s Pānui we profile two service innovations that are helping to improve outcomes and access to care for patients at Christchurch Hospital. One is a new ‘pop-up’ unit which is providing much-needed extra capacity in our Acute dialysis service, and the other is a unique nurse-led vascular access initiative.

Our second monthly Akoranga for 2024 looks at how we describe symptoms in te reo. We meet clinical recruitment specialist Jo Rea, and spend One minute with Medical Laboratory Scientist Laila Strathdee  

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury PānuiIn this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

This week Pānui is on the road with Health Promotion Officer Hannah Patricia Moir who’s a regular bike commuter and a passionate advocate for cycling. We mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science with a profile of Professor Catherine Stedman, who was part of the team that developed a successful cure for Hepatitis C.

Senior HR Advisor Alice Down shares her experience with breast cancer – and stresses the importance of regular self-checks, and we catch up with ‘fabulous’ Accounts Department Supervisor Andrea Thompson in One minute with …  

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui Monday 29 January 2024In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

In our first Pānui for 2024 we meet New Years Honour recipient Rose Henderson, who was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to social work and health. We also catch up with Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, who both visited Christchurch recently to view facilities and meet staff.

As we head towards Waitangi Day we hear from two of our local Māori health leaders with their reflections on what Te Tiriti means to them, and pay a visit to Waiata Wednesdays – a great way to learn and enjoy te reo.

We spend One Minute With Amy Walker, Recruitment Partner, and learn about a new initiative from the Community Occupational Therapists in the Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation Community Therapy Service. There’s also a bumper crop of whakamihi | bouquets from users of our services.

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui Monday 18 December 2023In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

In our final Pānui for 2023, an All Black drops in to congratulate local nine-year-old Flynn, who won the competition to name the 90-metre crane working on Tower C at Christchurch Hospital’s Waipapa building.

We meet the latest group of Emerging Researcher grant recipients, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Youth Advisory Council looks back at a busy 2023, and we say farewell to Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant Denise McGill who has retired after 21 years. We also catch up on progress at Kurawaka Waipapa, Christchurch’s new community birthing unit.

There’s plenty of summer fare, with a spread of Christmas photos taken around our facilities, and tips to help you stay well and safe these holidays. 

Thanks for all your support, feedback, and contributions in 2023. We will be back on 29 January 2024. Meri Kirihimete!

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui Monday 11 December 2023In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

In this issue we drop in on Interchurch Council Hospital Chaplain Bridie Marsden-Boyd, who is doing “something special” with consumers at Hillmorton to support their wellbeing during the Christmas season.

We catch up with the Class of ’73 – the first intake of students at the then Christchurch Clinical School, as they gather to mark their 50-year milestone.

You can also find out about the great mahi being done by some of the clinical teams at Christchurch Hospital, including the Cardio-Respiratory Integrated Specialist Services (CRISS) team, and the Christchurch Hospital Delirium Group.

With holidays and hot weather on the way, we look at how you can keep yourself healthy and well-prepared for the summer break.

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui Monday 4 December 2023In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

In this issue we congratulate Clinical Informatics Lead Charlene Tan-Smith, who has won the 2023 Clinical Informatics Leadership Award for her outstanding mahi in the field of data and digital health.

We mark International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD) this week. In New Zealand, it’s estimated one in four people have a physical, sensory, learning, mental health or other disability. Read about the work our kaimahi are doing to ensure people with disabilities have access to the health services they need. We also acknowledge 10 years of community health partnership and collaboration with Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council.

In this issue’s akoranga reo Māori (te reo Māori lesson) we look at the concept of saying ‘please’ – and how to ask for or request things.

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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In this edition of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui

This week we mark the karakia whakamoemiti (blessing) of Tū Waka-Waipapa – the new public car park located near Christchurch Hospital. We also celebrate the success of a new pilot Wāhine Ora Colposcopy Community Clinic for wāhine Māori and Pacific women.

In this issue’s akoranga reo Māori (te reo Māori lesson) we recap some of the kupu (words) and phrases we have learned in recent lessons, including terms you can drop into meetings and conversations. Kia manawa tītī! Keep going and don’t give up!

You can read the Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury Pānui in two different formats:

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Page last updated: 27 November 2023

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