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

Christchurch Women’s Hospital Maternity Services

You’re pregnant and have COVID-19? We’re here to support you (PDF, 800KB) pamphlet.

You’re pregnant and have COVID-19? 

During pregnancy, most people with COVID-19 will have a mild flu-like illness and it is unlikely to cause problems for you or your baby, especially if you have been vaccinated. 

Read more advice and find useful links and phone numbers in our You’re pregnant and have COVID-19? We’re here to support you (PDF, 800KB) pamphlet.

The seven-level hospital is next to Christchurch Hospital, located in Christchurch central city, on Riccarton Avenue, between South Hagley Park and the Botanical gardens.

The maternity services at Christchurch Women's Hospital are specialised to provide care for women who have medical problems or are experiencing complications in their pregnancy. It is staffed 24 hours a day. Clinical staff liaise with your Lead Maternity Carer to provide your care.

Antenatal clinics and classes in Christchurch

Information about exercise in pregnancy classes and parenting classes can be read on our Pregnancy and Birth Journey page.

Parking and public transport at the hospital

Parking is not available on the hospital grounds. Eleven bus routes pass the hospital. Commercial car parking venues are located among the several nearby blocks. There is also the hospital's shuttle bus service from Deans Avenue Car Park available.

We are baby-friendly accredited

We are a Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accredited maternity unit, supporting mama and whānau to feed their babies. For more information see www.babyfriendly.org.nz

Join the Canterbury maternity community on Facebook

Our Facebook page is to inform and update on what is happening in the maternity community. It also provides an environment for valuable consumer feedback. The administrators on this page are part of the Maternity Quality Safety Programme as coordinators and consumer members. This is Ministry of Health initiative to encourage and promote consumer engagement in the maternity services.

Page last updated: 9 November 2023

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