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 should also read the additional more detailed visiting guidelines for each specific hospital.

More COVID-19 information

Pacific Health

Protect the ones you love - Stay up to date with your vaccinations

Kia orana, Noa’ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, tēnā koutou katoa and warm Pacific greetings. Winter can be a really tough time to navigate, and COVID-19 and a very contagious flu strain have made this year particularly challenging.

If you're finding it tough right now know that wraparound health and welfare support for Pasifika, by Pasifika, is available. On this page, you’ll find the contact details of Pasifika providers who can help you access the support and services you need.

Getting through winter

Some things we can all do to keep our families healthy and well include:

Local Pasifika providers

Etu PasifikaEtu Pasifika

Etū Pasifika is a primary care, mental health and wellbeing Whānau Ora service - providing a range of support services delivered by Pacific health professionals, trained and skilled community workers and Navigators.

Their vaccination clinic is based on Tuam Street in the centre of Christchurch. Appointments can be made by phoning 03 365 1002 during opening hours.

Phone 0800 388 434 or go to www.EtuPasifika.co.nz to find out more

Tangata Atumotu TrustTangata Atumotu Trust

Tangata Atumotu works across a wide range of sectors to improve the health outcomes of the Pasifika community in Ōtautahi.

As well as a range of community services and programmes, Tangata Atumotu’s outreach vaccination programme provides Measles, Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations in  homes and in the community. 

Tangata Atumotu can also provide food and other supports to families in need.

Phone 0800 727 434 or go to www.tat.org.nz to find out more

Vaka TautuaVaka Tautua 

Vaka Tautua is a national by-Pacific for-Pacific health, disability and social services provider.

They provide social services and programmes, mental health and wellbeing support, programmes and services for matua and services for Pacific disabled peoples, their families and caregivers.

Phone 0800 825 282 or go to www.vakatautua.co.nz to find out more

Fale Pasifika O Aoraki Fale Pasifika O Aoraki

Fale Pasifika O Aoraki provides support for Pacific people from Ashburton to Ōamaru right through the Mackenzie District.

Some of their services include Whānau Ora, Fakelekesi Mareqeta (mother & pepe programme), emergency housing, Pacific Health homes project, whānau resiliency and prevention & intervention of family violence.

Phone 022 594 1256 or email office@falepasifikaoaoraki.org.nz to find out more.

Page last updated: 8 August 2022

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