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

The Matatiki Story

The journey to wellness is one no child ever has to go through alone. No matter how short or long that journey may be, our Child Health services ensure Canterbury’s children (tamariki) are supported, cared for and treasured every step of the way.

More than five years ago, Canterbury DHB’s Child Health team leaders began working on a way to bring the wide variety of Child Health services under one umbrella.

“It’s important that tamariki know that no matter where they are, they have a soft place to land,” Director of Nursing, Christchurch Hospital Lynne Johnson says.

Working with Executive Director of Māori Health Hector Matthews, the name Matatiki – which is Māori for spring of water – was agreed upon as a reflection of the abundance of water and springs around the main hospital campus which feed into Ōtakaro (the Avon River). The name is also a good representation of regeneration, rejuvenation and the return to wellness.

“A spring provides one of the most essential ingredients of life and wellbeing: fresh, clean, running water. After oxygen, there is nothing more essential to wellbeing and indeed to life, so Matatiki is a metaphor for child health as a spring of wellness for tamariki and whānau,” Hector says.

The new brand incorporates backgrounds that have been used to create attractive curtains and decals for the walls and windows around the hospital.

“As our tamariki make their journey, they will be accompanied by some very special friends – our native birds and creatures,” Lynne says.

More than 70 critters, from insects and birds to fish and butterflies, have been chosen.

“From the tuna (longfin eel) and kōaro in our streams to the wētā and tunga rere (huhu beetle) in our trees, right up to our winged friends, the kererū (wood pigeon) and kāhu (harrier hawk), our young people will know they’re in a special place just for them when they see our beautiful creatures alongside them.”

Matatiki is a touchstone for our young people − a sign that this is a place of support where their care and wellbeing is paramount, and a place to give young people and their whānau the comfort of familiarity during what can be stressful times.

Matatiki has been supported in its own journey by the Māia Health Foundation and many clever, creative and compassionate people, Lynne says.

“We are grateful for the dedication and determination of everyone involved in bringing this concept to fruition, and we’re proud to share it with Canterbury.”

Page last updated: 12 January 2021

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