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 news

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Read the latest Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury health news, media releases, and current health alerts for the Canterbury region. Our flagship news publications Waitaha Canterbury Pānui and WellNow Canterbury magazine are available to read online.​ The Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Communications team are also available to assist with any enquiries from media.

1118 news items.

Media release

New Zealand Nurses Organisation members strike withdrawn

Monday 7 August 2023Quick Read

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has advised that the industrial action planned for Wednesday 9 August has... read more about New Zealand Nurses Organisation members strike withdrawn»

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Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department under significant pressure

Tuesday 11 July 2023Quick Read

The Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital is currently under significant pressure. Yesterday the ED team saw... read more about Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department under significant pressure»

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Kurawaka Waipapa tells unique stories through its design and finishes

Thursday 22 June 2023Quick Read

  Kurawaka Waipapa, Canterbury’s new central city birthing unit, will boast a unique and purposeful interior... read more about Kurawaka Waipapa tells unique stories through its design and finishes»

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Media release

Christchurch Hospital power outage – staff reverted to tried and true ‘hands on’ care

Saturday 4 February 2023Quick Read

From 8.24pm – 9.19pm on Friday 3 February a network power outage caused a power cut to Christchurch Hospital. The... read more about Christchurch Hospital power outage – staff reverted to tried and true ‘hands on’ care»

Media release

Health Warning – Health Warning lifted for Cass Bay

Tuesday 10 January 2023Quick Read

Advice issued 10 January 2023. Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health unit has lifted its health warning for Cass... read more about Health Warning – Health Warning lifted for Cass Bay»

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Media release

Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality at Cass Bay

Friday 30 December 2022Quick Read

Please see new advice issued on 10 January 2023. Advice issued 30 December 2022.  Te Mana Ora | Community and Public... read more about Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality at Cass Bay»

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Facilities News

Serving up a festive treat for Canterbury patients

Friday 23 December 2022Quick Read

  If you thought planning and cooking a Christmas meal for the whānau was a big undertaking, spare a thought for... read more about Serving up a festive treat for Canterbury patients»

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Media release

Closure of Orchard Road COVID-19 Testing Centre

Thursday 15 December 2022

The final day for the Orchard Road COVID-19 Testing Centre will be tomorrow, Friday December 16.  Becky Hickmott,... read more about Closure of Orchard Road COVID-19 Testing Centre»

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Media release

First nationwide health plan to deliver healthy futures for New Zealanders – Te Rautaki Hauora ā-motu tuatahi hei whakaū i te ora mo te katoa o Aotearoa

Friday 28 October 2022

Media statement by Hon Andrew Little and Hon Peeni Henare | Pānui pāpāho na te Honore Andrew Little me te Honore... read more about First nationwide health plan to deliver healthy futures for New Zealanders – Te Rautaki Hauora ā-motu tuatahi hei whakaū i te ora mo te katoa o Aotearoa»

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Media release

Protect yourself against Legionnaires’ disease this spring

Tuesday 27 September 2022Quick Read

Spring is the perfect time to be out in the garden. It’s also unfortunately the time when gardeners are most at risk... read more about Protect yourself against Legionnaires’ disease this spring»

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Media release

Waitaha Canterbury Hospitals relax visitor restrictions

Friday 16 September 2022Quick Read

Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury has relaxed its visitor policy across all its facilities. Key changes include: Visiting... read more about Waitaha Canterbury Hospitals relax visitor restrictions»

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Media release

New community maternity unit gifted special name – Kurawaka: Waipapa

Monday 12 September 2022Quick Read

Ngāi Tūāhuriri has gifted a special name – Kurawaka: Waipapa – for Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury’s new... read more about New community maternity unit gifted special name – Kurawaka: Waipapa»

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Media release

Reopening Waitaha’s rural hospitals

Friday 2 September 2022Quick Read

Rural hospitals at Ellesmere, Waikari and Darfield are planned to reopen on 31 October 2022. The closure of the rural... read more about Reopening Waitaha’s rural hospitals»

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Media release

Health Warning lifted for Algal Bloom in Te Roto o Wairewa (Lake Forsyth)

Thursday 1 September 2022Quick Read

Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health has lifted its algal bloom health warning issued for Te Roto o Wairewa/Lake... read more about Health Warning lifted for Algal Bloom in Te Roto o Wairewa (Lake Forsyth)»

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Media release

When every vaccination matters

Thursday 25 August 2022Quick Read

When every vaccination matters As case numbers and hospitalisations begin to decline, and the warmer months approach,... read more about When every vaccination matters»

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Media release

Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury – People warned to stay away from beaches, rivers and floodwaters

Thursday 28 July 2022Quick Read

People warned to stay away from beaches, rivers and floodwaters Te Mana Ora (Community and Public Health) is warning... read more about Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury – People warned to stay away from beaches, rivers and floodwaters»

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Media release

Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury makes changes to visitor policy to protect vulnerable patients

Tuesday 19 July 2022

Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury makes changes to visitor policy to protect vulnerable patients To ease pressure on the... read more about Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury makes changes to visitor policy to protect vulnerable patients»

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Media release

Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury to postpone outpatient appointments to free up staff to work in acute care

Thursday 14 July 2022

New measures to alleviate the pressure on health services in Waitaha are being put in place, says Dr Peter Bramley,... read more about Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury to postpone outpatient appointments to free up staff to work in acute care»

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Media release

Canterbury rural hospitals update

Wednesday 13 July 2022Quick Read

Omicron, new COVID-19 subvariants, flu and other respiratory illnesses, are putting additional significant pressure on... read more about Canterbury rural hospitals update»

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Media release

Help us help you, by going to the right place for your health care needs

Friday 1 July 2022

Help us help you, by going to the right place for your health care needs Multiple winter illnesses continue to place... read more about Help us help you, by going to the right place for your health care needs»

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Media release

Staying well this Matariki weekend

Thursday 23 June 2022Quick Read

Hector Matthews, System Wide Operations Centre Controller, Canterbury DHB, is urging Cantabrians to connect with... read more about Staying well this Matariki weekend»

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Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury News

Memories of Lincoln Maternity Hospital

Monday 20 June 2022Quick Read

 Memories of Lincoln Maternity At 6am on 31 May 2022, a baby boy was born at Lincoln Maternity Hospital. Soon after,... read more about Memories of Lincoln Maternity Hospital»

Media release

Today marks last board meeting for Canterbury DHB

Thursday 16 June 2022Quick Read

Canterbury DHB’s board met for the last time on Thursday 16 June as the transition to Health New Zealand and the... read more about Today marks last board meeting for Canterbury DHB»

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Media release

Multiple winter illnesses placing pressure on health system; more than 155,000 COVID-19 cases recorded in Canterbury

Tuesday 7 June 2022Quick Read

Canterbury has now recorded more than 155,000 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with almost 1000 new cases... read more about Multiple winter illnesses placing pressure on health system; more than 155,000 COVID-19 cases recorded in Canterbury»

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Media release

Surgery deferred as Christchurch Hospital tops 112% occupancy

Tuesday 31 May 2022Quick Read

Planned care, including some major surgery has had to be postponed today due to extremely high levels of acutely unwell... read more about Surgery deferred as Christchurch Hospital tops 112% occupancy»

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Media release

“Keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only” is the message from clinicians as we head into winter.

Monday 30 May 2022

“Keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only” is the message from clinicians as we head into winter.... read more about “Keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only” is the message from clinicians as we head into winter.»

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Media release

New Canterbury DHB facilities at Toka Hāpai (Selwyn Health Hub) to open

Monday 30 May 2022Quick Read

The Oromairaki Maternity Unit at the Toka Hāpai (Selwyn Health Hub) will open tomorrow with other services set to... read more about New Canterbury DHB facilities at Toka Hāpai (Selwyn Health Hub) to open»

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Media release

100,000 Cantabrians have received their flu jabs so far this flu season

Thursday 19 May 2022Quick Read

Getting a flu jab is your best defence against influenza and 100,000 Cantabrians have now received theirs. If you... read more about 100,000 Cantabrians have received their flu jabs so far this flu season»

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Media release

Oxford Rural Community Hospital to reopen in June

Wednesday 18 May 2022Quick Read

Canterbury DHB will reopen Oxford Rural Community Hospital in mid-June. Becky Hickmott, Executive Director of Nursing,... read more about Oxford Rural Community Hospital to reopen in June»

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Media release

COVID-19 in Canterbury – case numbers continue to top more than 1000 a day

Friday 13 May 2022

Cantabrians are asked to remain vigilant and continue to keep up their healthy habits as new COVID-19 cases in the... read more about COVID-19 in Canterbury – case numbers continue to top more than 1000 a day»

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Media release

Canterbury and West Coast DHBs preparing for planned PSA industrial action

Monday 9 May 2022Quick Read

Canterbury and West Coast DHBs are preparing for further planned industrial action by the Public Service Association.... read more about Canterbury and West Coast DHBs preparing for planned PSA industrial action»

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Media release

Canterbury DHB updates its visitor policy April 18 2022

Monday 18 April 2022

Please attribute comment to Tracey Maisey, Incident Controller, Canterbury DHB Emergency Coordination Centre Canterbury... read more about Canterbury DHB updates its visitor policy April 18 2022»

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Media release

Healthcare information for the Easter weekend

Thursday 14 April 2022Quick Read

Dr Helen Skinner, ECC Incident Controller, Canterbury DHB, is urging people to continue to test themselves for COVID-19... read more about Healthcare information for the Easter weekend»

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Media release

Influenza vaccinations now available

Monday 4 April 2022Quick Read

There may be higher rates of influenza in New Zealand this winter with our borders reopening. Influenza can cause... read more about Influenza vaccinations now available»

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Media release

Additional Novavax COVID-19 vaccine bookings now available in Canterbury

Friday 18 March 2022Quick Read

Additional bookings for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine are now available through the Book My Vaccine website. Novavax is... read more about Additional Novavax COVID-19 vaccine bookings now available in Canterbury»

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Media release

Nine additional RAT collection sites for Canterbury

Wednesday 16 March 2022Quick Read

Today nine additional RAT collection sites will open at pharmacies across Canterbury. These pharmacies will be only be... read more about Nine additional RAT collection sites for Canterbury»

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Media release

Reporting your RAT result important to get the support you need

Monday 14 March 2022Quick Read

With Omicron case numbers rising in the community, we’re reminding Cantabrians of the importance of registering rapid... read more about Reporting your RAT result important to get the support you need»

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Media release

Vaccination programme re-prioritisation implemented in Canterbury

Monday 14 March 2022Quick Read

The impact of Omicron has led to re-prioritisation of the COVID-19 vaccination programme according to Canterbury... read more about Vaccination programme re-prioritisation implemented in Canterbury»

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Media release

Some Canterbury health services deferred as DHB staffing impacted by COVID-19

Monday 14 March 2022Quick Read

As the number of active cases of Omicron continues to rise in our community, more Canterbury DHB staff are contracting... read more about Some Canterbury health services deferred as DHB staffing impacted by COVID-19»

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Media release

New waiata released to encourage children and their families to get vaccinated

Thursday 10 March 2022Quick Read

A new waiata has been released to encourage all our whānau to get vaccinated, including their tamariki. Dr Seán... read more about New waiata released to encourage children and their families to get vaccinated»

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Page last updated: 18 August 2022

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