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

Glossary

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  • The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is the New Zealand Crown entity providing comprehensive no-fault personal accident cover for all New Zealanders.
  • The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is the New Zealand Crown entity providing comprehensive no-fault personal accident cover for all New Zealanders.
  • A medical condition requiring urgent or emergency care
  • Health care that you receive in hospital following an injury, operation or illness. It is different to any care you may receive for an ongoing health condition from your GP, community nurse or other professionals in the community where you live.
  • Health care that you receive in hospital following an injury, operation or illness. It is different to any care you may receive for an ongoing health condition from your GP, community nurse or other professionals in the community where you live.
  • Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), now known as the Medical Assessment Unit (MA), is an inpatient unit concerned with the immediate and early specialist management of patients with a wide range of medical conditions who present in hospital as emergencies. The Medical Assessment Unit (MA) is(...)
  • Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), now known as the Medical Assessment Unit (MA), is an inpatient unit concerned with the immediate and early specialist management of patients with a wide range of medical conditions who present in hospital as emergencies. The Medical Assessment Unit (MA) is(...)
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) When the lungs do not work sufficiently leading to rapid and shallow breathing.
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) When the lungs do not work sufficiently leading to rapid and shallow breathing.
  • After-hours care (often just referred to as "after-hours" or "after-hours urgent care clinics") are services for urgent or acute medical needs available at times when a patient has no access to their normal general practitioner, such as when they are closed after regular daytime business(...)
  • After-hours care (often just referred to as "after-hours" or "after-hours urgent care clinics") are services for urgent or acute medical needs available at times when a patient has no access to their normal general practitioner, such as when they are closed after regular daytime business(...)
  • After-hours care (often just referred to as "after-hours" or "after-hours urgent care clinics") are services for urgent or acute medical needs available at times when a patient has no access to their normal general practitioner, such as when they are closed after regular daytime business(...)
  • After-hours care (often just referred to as "after-hours" or "after-hours urgent care clinics") are services for urgent or acute medical needs available at times when a patient has no access to their normal general practitioner, such as when they are closed after regular daytime business(...)
  • After-hours care (often just referred to as "after-hours" or "after-hours urgent care clinics") are services for urgent or acute medical needs available at times when a patient has no access to their normal general practitioner, such as when they are closed after regular daytime business(...)
  • After-hours care (often just referred to as "after-hours" or "after-hours urgent care clinics") are services for urgent or acute medical needs available at times when a patient has no access to their normal general practitioner, such as when they are closed after regular daytime business(...)
  • After-hours care (often just referred to as "after-hours" or "after-hours urgent care clinics") are services for urgent or acute medical needs available at times when a patient has no access to their normal general practitioner, such as when they are closed after regular daytime business(...)
  • Love, affectionate regard. Also, Pity, compassion (Te Reo Māori).
  • Arterial blood gas (ABG) A blood test taken from a catheter placed in an artery (arterial line). It gives information on the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as other results on the patient’s status.
  • Arterial blood gas (ABG) A blood test taken from a catheter placed in an artery (arterial line). It gives information on the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as other results on the patient’s status.
  • A small catheter is inserted into an artery in the patient’s arm or leg. It continuously monitors the patient’s blood pressure and allows staff to take blood for testing.
  • A Bedside board is a board near your bed is regularly updated to show your needs (e.g. any assistance needed with moving, hearing or sight aids, or special diet). There is space on the board for you or your family to list any questions you want answered.
  • A bedside handover usually happens at the end of the morning shift, nurses will discuss important updates with you and hand over ongoing tasks to the afternoon shift.
  • Breathing Machine/Ventilator. A machine that delivers oxygen to a patient’s lungs to assist with breathing. The breathing machine can do all the breathing for the patient, or it can assist the patient’s own breathing to be more effective.
  • Breathing Machine/Ventilator. A machine that delivers oxygen to a patient’s lungs to assist with breathing. The breathing machine can do all the breathing for the patient, or it can assist the patient’s own breathing to be more effective.
  • Children's Acute Assessment (CAA) is a part of Children’s Emergency Care (CEC) and provides an assessment service for children/teenagers with acute medical and some surgical conditions.
  • Canterbury Clinical Network (CCN) was an alliance of Canterbury health professionals, including GPs, secondary care specialists, practice nurses, community nurses, physiotherapists, community pharmacists, Māori and Pacific health providers, PHOs, IPAs and the District Health Board (DHB). The(...)
  • Canterbury Clinical Network (CCN) was an alliance of Canterbury health professionals, including GPs, secondary care specialists, practice nurses, community nurses, physiotherapists, community pharmacists, Māori and Pacific health providers, PHOs, IPAs and the District Health Board (DHB). The(...)
  • Canterbury Clinical Network (CCN) was an alliance of Canterbury health professionals, including GPs, secondary care specialists, practice nurses, community nurses, physiotherapists, community pharmacists, Māori and Pacific health providers, PHOs, IPAs and the District Health Board (DHB). The(...)
  • Canterbury Community Pharmacy Group (CCPG) is an organisation representing pharmacists in Canterbury, New Zealand.
  • Canterbury Community Pharmacy Group (CCPG) is an organisation representing pharmacists in Canterbury, New Zealand.
  • Catering Assistants/Kaiāwhina Whakatutuki provide a personal meal service with food and drinks according to your dietary needs.
  • Catering Assistants/Kaiāwhina Whakatutuki provide a personal meal service with food and drinks according to your dietary needs.
  • When you give your permission to someone to do something to you or for you.
  • A senior hospital doctor or surgeon who is a specialist in their field.
  • Dietitians/Pūkenga Whakaita Kai give advice and counselling about diet, food and nutrition to individuals and communities. They also design nutrition programmes to support health and wellbeing.
  • Dietitians/Pūkenga Whakaita Kai give advice and counselling about diet, food and nutrition to individuals and communities. They also design nutrition programmes to support health and wellbeing.
  • When your needs fit the criteria that allow you to receive a service.
  • Health, vigour (Te reo Māori)
  • Health Care Assistants/Tiaki hauora kaiāwhina provide basic care, observe patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse and ensure patients have the best experience possible.
  • Qualified doctor who has not begun specialist training. Also known as a House Surgeon or an Intern.
  • Qualified doctor who has not begun specialist training. Also known as a House Officer or an Intern.
  • Gathering, meeting (Te reo Māori)
  • Intensive Care Outreach is a service provided by the intensive care team to assist with ward patients who have become progressively more unwell. They provide assistance with patient care in the Ward, and assess the requirement for admission to the intensive care unit.
  • Intensive Care Outreach is a service provided by the intensive care team to assist with ward patients who have become progressively more unwell. They provide assistance with patient care in the Ward, and assess the requirement for admission to the intensive care unit.
  • Intensive Care Outreach is a service provided by the intensive care team to assist with ward patients who have become progressively more unwell. They provide assistance with patient care in the Ward, and assess the requirement for admission to the intensive care unit.
  • Specialist doctors who are trained to look after very ill patients.
  • Extended kinship group, tribe, nation, people, nationality, race. Iwi often refers to a large group of people descended from a common ancestor and associated with a distinct territory. (Te reo Māori)
  • Worker, employee, staff, workforce. (Te reo Māori)
  • A Māori Health worker/Kaimahi Hauora Māori provides tautoko (cultural support and advice) to tūroro (patients) and their whānau (family members) while they are in the hospital. They may also advocate for patients and provide them with information and resources to help your recovery if needed.
  • A Māori Health worker/Kaimahi Hauora Māori provides tautoko (cultural support and advice) to tūroro (patients) and their whānau (family members) while they are in the hospital. They may also advocate for patients and provide them with information and resources to help your recovery if needed.
  • A Māori Health worker/Kaimahi Hauora Māori provides tautoko (cultural support and advice) to tūroro (patients) and their whānau (family members) while they are in the hospital. They may also advocate for patients and provide them with information and resources to help your recovery if needed.
  • Public Health Specialists
  • Clinical Director
  • Manager, administrator, boss, director, organiser, chairperson. Also, advocate, agent, advisor. (Te reo Māori)
  • Adult, elder, elderly man or woman. A person of status within the whānau. (Te reo Māori)
  • Basket, kit. (Te reo Māori)
  • Preschool (Te Reo Māori)
  • Speech, narrative, story, discussion, conversation. (Te reo Māori)
  • Work, job, trade (work). (Te reo Māori)
  • Mother, mum. (Te reo Māori)
  • Mother, mum. (Te reo Māori)
  • Prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status, spiritual power, charisma. Mana is a supernatural force in a person, place or object. (Te reo Māori)
  • Equity, equal status.
  • Midwives/Tapuhi ā-Whare provide care and support to women, their partners and family/whānau during pregnancy, labour and birth, and for six weeks following the birth. They also provide wellness and parenting advice to mothers and families.
  • Midwives/Tapuhi ā-Whare provide care and support to women, their partners and family/whānau during pregnancy, labour and birth, and for six weeks following the birth. They also provide wellness and parenting advice to mothers and families.
  • Illness, sickness.
  • Death.
  • Country, land, nation. (Te reo Māori)
  • The National Immunisation Register (NIR) is a computerised information system that has been developed to hold immunisation details of New Zealand children. Contact Canterbury National Immunisation Register (NIR) Administrator Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha Canterbury (formerly Canterbury District(...)
  • The National Immunisation Register (NIR) is a computerised information system that has been developed to hold immunisation details of New Zealand children. Contact Canterbury National Immunisation Register (NIR) Administrator Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha Canterbury (formerly Canterbury District(...)
  • Registered Nurse
  • Nurse Practitioners (NP) are highly-trained and experienced nurses who assess, diagnose, treat, prescribe and manage care across different healthcare services.
  • Nurse Practitioners (NP) are highly-trained and experienced nurses who assess, diagnose, treat, prescribe and manage care across different healthcare services.
  • Occupational Therapists/Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau (OTs) assess and treat people who have trouble with everyday activities because of illness, injury or circumstance.
  • Occupational Therapists/Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau (OTs) assess and treat people who have trouble with everyday activities because of illness, injury or circumstance.
  • Occupational Therapists/Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau (OTs) assess and treat people who have trouble with everyday activities because of illness, injury or circumstance.
  • Orderlies/Tika help clinical staff take care of patients’ needs by transporting patients; delivering samples, oxygen, and clinical documents; maintaining and cleaning equipment; and other tasks.
  • Orderlies/Tika help clinical staff take care of patients’ needs by transporting patients; delivering samples, oxygen, and clinical documents; maintaining and cleaning equipment; and other tasks.
  • Christchurch
  • Christchurch
  • Outpatient Administrators/Kaiwhakahaere arrive and depart patients attending appointments and manage bookings to ensure patients receive treatment within the required guidelines.
  • Care that you receive if you have an advanced, progressive illness for which there is no cure. The aim is to manage pain and other symptoms and to help you have best quality of life you can. It may be provided in your home or in a hospital or hospice.
  • Newsletter/Notice/Announcement (Te reo Māori: Pānui).
  • Newsletter/Notice/Announcement (Te reo Māori: Pānui).
  • pēpi, pēpē - baby (Te reo Māori)    
  • pēpi, pēpē - baby (Te reo Māori)    
  • pēpi, pēpē - baby (Te reo Māori)    
  • pēpi, pēpē - baby (Te reo Māori)    
  • Pharmacy staff/kaimahi rongoā work with the medical teams to ensure we have an up-to-date list of your medicines, record any allergies you have and provide information on new medicines started.
  • Physiotherapists/Kairomiromi (Physios) help patients recover from disability or problems caused by physical, brain, and nervous system disorders to restore function and independence.
  • Physiotherapists/Kairomiromi (Physios) help patients recover from disability or problems caused by physical, brain, and nervous system disorders to restore function and independence.
  • Physiotherapists/Kairomiromi (Physios) help patients recover from disability or problems caused by physical, brain, and nervous system disorders to restore function and independence.
  • The first point of contact in the health system, usually your general practice doctor (GP), practice nurse, local pharmacist, dentist or urgent care clinic. Primary care doctors deal with a wide range of health problems. They treat common illnesses, help you manage long-term conditions and(...)
  • The first point of contact in the health system, usually your general practice doctor (GP), practice nurse, local pharmacist, dentist or urgent care clinic. Primary care doctors deal with a wide range of health problems. They treat common illnesses, help you manage long-term conditions and(...)
  • Primary health organisations (PHOs) ensure the provision of essential primary health care services, mostly through general practices, to people who are enrolled with the PHO/General Practice. PHOs are funded by district health boards (DHBs), who focus on the health of their population.
  • Primary health organisations (PHOs) ensure the provision of essential primary health care services, mostly through general practices, to people who are enrolled with the PHO/General Practice. PHOs are funded by district health boards (DHBs), who focus on the health of their population.
  • Primary health organisations (PHOs) ensure the provision of essential primary health care services, mostly through general practices, to people who are enrolled with the PHO/General Practice. PHOs are funded by district health boards (DHBs), who focus on the health of their population.
  • A set of rules or instructions about how something should be done.
  • Younger generation, youth (Te reo Māori)
  • Physician
  • A referral is when your family doctor (GP) or another health professional will pass a matter to a specialist for a decision or treatment. Usually, because your doctor wants a specialist’s help to treat a condition that cannot be done by your general practice team.
  • Registered Nurses/Tapuhi Whai Rēhitatanga assess, treat, care for and support patients in hospitals, clinics, residential care facilities and their homes.
  • Registered Nurses/Tapuhi Whai Rēhitatanga assess, treat, care for and support patients in hospitals, clinics, residential care facilities and their homes.
  • An experienced doctor training in a specialty
  • A House Surgeon or Registrar
  • A House Surgeon or Registrar
  • A House Surgeon or Registrar
  • When you stay at a hospital rounding or rounds are when nurses check in on you regularly to make sure you have everything you need (e.g. call bell and drink within reach, help to the toilet).
  • When you stay at a hospital rounding or rounds are when nurses check in on you regularly to make sure you have everything you need (e.g. call bell and drink within reach, help to the toilet).
  • Care that you receive in hospital, either as an inpatient or an outpatient. This may be planned or emergency care. It is more specialist than primary care.
  • A service that that offers self-referral essentially means that people do not need to be referred by their doctor, or another health professional, but can contact a health service directly. However, once people self-refer, they are usually assessed, like everyone else.
  • A service that that offers self-referral essentially means that people do not need to be referred by their doctor, or another health professional, but can contact a health service directly. However, once people self-refer, they are usually assessed, like everyone else.
  • A service that that offers self-referral essentially means that people do not need to be referred by their doctor, or another health professional, but can contact a health service directly. However, once people self-refer, they are usually assessed, like everyone else.
  • A service that that offers self-referral essentially means that people do not need to be referred by their doctor, or another health professional, but can contact a health service directly. However, once people self-refer, they are usually assessed, like everyone else.
  • A service that that offers self-referral essentially means that people do not need to be referred by their doctor, or another health professional, but can contact a health service directly. However, once people self-refer, they are usually assessed, like everyone else.
  • Social Workers/Kaimahi Toko i te Ora provide care, advice and support to people with personal or social problems, and help with community and social issues.
  • Social Workers/Kaimahi Toko i te Ora provide care, advice and support to people with personal or social problems, and help with community and social issues.
  • A senior doctor or surgeon who has specialised in a certain field. Also known as an SMO or a Specialist.
  • A senior doctor or surgeon who has specialised in a certain field. Also known as an SMO or a Specialist.
  • Speech Language Therapists/Kaihaumanu Reo ā-Waha (SLTs) assess and treat people who have problems with communication or swallowing. This may include difficulties with speech, language, thought processes or moving their bodies.
  • Speech Language Therapists/Kaihaumanu Reo ā-Waha (SLTs) assess and treat people who have problems with communication or swallowing. This may include difficulties with speech, language, thought processes or moving their bodies.
  • Speech Language Therapists/Kaihaumanu Reo ā-Waha (SLTs) assess and treat people who have problems with communication or swallowing. This may include difficulties with speech, language, thought processes or moving their bodies.
  • Physician
  • Medical Officer of Health
  • Medical Officer of Health
  • Children (Te reo Māori)
  • Men. Tāne Māori refers to Māori men. (Te reo Māori)
  • Men. Tāne Māori refers to Māori men. (Te reo Māori)
  • Māori Health Authority
  • Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health (formerly known as Crown Public Health) is part of the new National Public Health Service within Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand. Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health provide public health services to those people living in Canterbury/ Waitaha,(...)
  • Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health (formerly known as Crown Public Health) is part of the new National Public Health Service within Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand. Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health provide public health services to those people living in Canterbury/ Waitaha,(...)
  • West Coast
  • South Island
  • Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand leads the day-to-day running of the health system and unites the former 20 District Health Boards, shared services agencies and Te Hiringa Hauora - Health Promotion Agency under one national organisation. It leads and coordinates delivery of health services,(...)
  • Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand leads the day-to-day running of the health system and unites the former 20 District Health Boards, shared services agencies and Te Hiringa Hauora - Health Promotion Agency under one national organisation. It leads and coordinates delivery of health services,(...)
  • Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand leads the day-to-day running of the health system and unites the former 20 District Health Boards, shared services agencies and Te Hiringa Hauora - Health Promotion Agency under one national organisation. It leads and coordinates delivery of health services,(...)
  • Tertiary Care is very specialised medical care, often only provided in a smaller number of locations.
  • Tertiary Care is very specialised medical care, often only provided in a smaller number of locations.
  • The process of deciding whether you need urgent medical attention, and how long you are able to wait. When you go to the hospital Emergency Department or to an urgent care clinic, you will be asked questions about your symptoms. A decision will then be taken about how quickly you need to be(...)
  • Women. Wāhine Māori refers to Māori women. (Te reo Māori)
  • Canterbury region (Te reo māori: Waitaha). Waitaha were the first people of Te Waipounamu (the South Island) and settled in Kā Pākihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha (the plains where the Waitaha people walked proudly). Ngāti Māmoe and then Ngāi Tahu arrived afterwards. Through warfare, intermarriage(...)
  • Canterbury region (Te reo māori: Waitaha). Waitaha were the first people of Te Waipounamu (the South Island) and settled in Kā Pākihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha (the plains where the Waitaha people walked proudly). Ngāti Māmoe and then Ngāi Tahu arrived afterwards. Through warfare, intermarriage(...)
  • South Canterbury
  • South Canterbury
  • Ward Clerks welcome patients and their visitors to the ward, ensure patient records are updated and liaise with other departments e.g. to make follow-up appointments.
  • Ward rounds are when members of a patients health care team visit each bed, review the patient, and give the patient an opportunity to ask questions.
  • Whakataukī (Māori proverbs) are often used in both formal speeches and everyday conversation.
  • Extended family, family group; familiar term of address to a number of people; the primary economic unit of traditional Māori society. In the modern context, the term is sometimes used to include friends who may not have any kinship ties to other members. (Te reo Māori)
  • Whāngai Aroha is the new name used for inpatient services formerly known as C Ward in the Mothers and Babies Mental Health Service.
  • Land (Te reo Māori)

Page last updated: 11 February 2020

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