ORANGE

Hospital visitors don’t need a Vaccine Pass, but must wear a surgical/medical paper mask. Fabric face coverings are no longer acceptable. See our COVID-19 pages for visiting guidelines, COVID-19 tests current case numbers in regions of Canterbury and care in the community advice. See www.vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz for info about vaccinations.

We are at ORANGE according to the NZ COVID-19 Protection Framework

Last updated:
19 April 2022

For visitors to all facilities effective from Tuesday 19 April 2022

With the change to the ORANGE Traffic Light setting, Canterbury DHB is easing its visitor policy in recognition of the fact we have passed the peak of the current Omicron outbreak and case numbers are slowly reducing.

The following visitor restrictions are now in place for all Canterbury DHB hospitals and health facilities:

  • One adult visitor may be accompanied by no more than one child over the age of 12 per patient in the hospital at any given time, except where stated otherwise in the ‘exceptions’ section below.  No children under 12 and those 12 and over must be accompanied by an adult and wear a medical mask.
  • Visitors or support people should not visit our facilities if they are unwell.
  • Surgical/medical masks must be worn at all times at all Canterbury DHB sites and will be provided if people don’t have them.
  • Hand sanitiser stations are visible and must be used.

By adhering to these conditions, you help keep our patients, staff, other visitors and yourself safe. We 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.

Exceptions to the ‘one visitor’ policy

  • Exceptions can apply in some circumstances (ie more than one visitor) where a trusted whānau member provides assistance, reassurance and other support for therapeutic care or on compassionate grounds – please talk to the ward’s Charge Nurse to discuss this before you come to hospital to visit. For whānau with an essential support role as a Partner in Care – please check with the ward’s Charge Nurse before you come to hospital to visit
  • People attending Christchurch ED or Ashburton AAU can have one support person with them
  • Women in labour and in the birthing suite can have two support people, and women on the Maternity Ward are allowed one support person for the duration of their stay in our facilities at Christchurch Womens Hospital and other maternity units. Only one support person can be with each woman in the maternity ward, and one support person for maternity clinic appointments, no children are allowed to visit.
  • Parents/caregivers can be with their baby in NICU.
  • Parents/caregivers are able to be with their child in hospital (Except Children’s Haematology and Oncology Day patients where only one parent or caregiver is permitted, following a supervised negative RAT result)
  • Children who are inpatients, one other visitor (other than a parent or caregiver) is able to visit in consultation with the nurse in charge.
  • People requiring support when attending an appointment can have one support person. Please let the relevant service know if you need this so they are able to accommodate your request.

Exceptions for people with disabilities

An exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to the one permitted visitor.

Face covering exemption cards

The Exemptions Team at the Ministry of Health is now responsible for processing requests for Face Covering Communication Cards.

Updated information about mask wearing, and how to request an exemption card can now be found here. People unable to request an exemption card online can call 0800 28 29 26 and select option 2, or text 8988

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

More COVID-19 information

Ashburton Hospital

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Visitor restrictions effective from Tuesday 19 April 2022 until further notice

All usual entrances are now open.

One visitor per patient at a time – except where a child over 12 is being accompanied by an adult. Children must be aged 12 and over and must wear a medical mask. Visitor passes are no longer required at Ashburton Hospital.

Ashburton Hospital Visiting Hours are 11am – 2pm and 4pm – 8pm daily.

If you need a support person with you at your appointment, please call the number on your outpatient appointment letter to arrange this.

For more details about what to do when visiting please see our COVID-19 page.

​​Ashburton Hospital provides a range of Inpatient, Day patient, Outpatient and Community based health services to the community. The Hospital has 74 beds and annually admits around 5,000 patients, cares for 2,600 day patients and 15,000 patients attend outpatient appointments.

Rural health services employ around 550 full time and part time staff, which includes a clinical workforce in medicine, surgery and gynaecology, supported by nursing and allied health professionals with extensive experience in a wide range of clinical situations.

Phone

To contact a hospital departments or ward, call general enquiries and ask for a department. Alternatively some direct phone numbers are listed on Wards & Services page.

Visiting hours

  • 11am-2pm and 4pm-8pm daily - All visitors
  • 10am-8pm daily - Maternity visitors
  • 7am-10pm daily - Maternity patients family
  • Open visiting - Palliative Care visitors

Please check our COVID-19 page for the latest information.

Location

Street address
Ashburton Hospital
28 Elizabeth Street
Ashburton

Postal address
Ashburton Hospital
Private Bag 801
Ashburton 7740

Ashburton Hospital Cafe

The Great Escape

Hot meals, savoury items, sandwiches, scones, muffins, cakes, slices, selection of non-alcoholic drinks, barista coffee.

  • Hospital Map
  • Monday to Friday: 8am - 3.30pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday lunch: 11.30am - 1pm

Patients and Visitors

General information for people visiting a hospital in Canterbury.

View patient and visitor advice

Enquiries and feedback

We welcome your feedback about our services and your experiences at Ashburton Hospital.

Note: We cannot give medical advice by email. Please contact your doctor or the person in charge of your medical care.

Page last updated: 19 April 2022

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