COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Information about changes at Canterbury DHB hospitals and health centres can be found at www.cdhb.health.nz/covid19

VISITORS TO HOSPITAL

No visitors are allowed, except under exceptional circumstances – Further details...

Last updated:
27 March 2020

  • No visitors are allowed, except under exceptional circumstances. The exceptions to the no visitor policy include:
    • A nominated person supporting a terminally ill patient through their end of life care
    • A parent/guardian who is supporting a child
    • The chosen support person of a woman who is giving birth. This does not apply to the woman’s postnatal stay however, and no visitors will be permitted during this stage of the woman’s care
  • The decision about whether exceptional circumstances apply outside of these exemptions is at the discretion of the Charge Nurse/Midwife Manager or another lead clinician.
  • Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit at any time.
  • All visitors will be assessed at the entry to ensure they meet the exception criteria and will be required to register their details.
  • Visitors who are unwell will not be allowed entry.

These restrictions apply to all wards and services at all times, including the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.

I’m not well, where do I go?

  1. Home
  2. I’m not well, where do I go?

How to access Healthcare

  • If you need to see a Doctor or other medical professional you MUST phone first.
  • Most consultations will happen over the phone (or by videoconference) to stop any risk of the disease spreading by person to person contact.
  • If a face to face meeting is required, your doctor or other medical professional will organise this with you.
  • If you cannot get through and are severely unwell, for example having trouble breathing, contact emergency services (dial 111).

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

Depending on your illness, there are different places you and your whānau can go for health care in Canterbury.

Remember registering with a general practice team is really important for you and your family. A GP team can develop a relationship with you to have a much better understanding of your unique healthcare needs.

I have a sore throat, grazed knee, cough or similar...

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

For helpful medical advice go to the HealthInfo website.

The information on HealthInfo is specific to Canterbury, New Zealand, and is written by local doctors, nurses, and health professionals.

Make sure you have a medicine cabinet with pain killers, plasters, and antiseptic cream. Go to your local pharmacy for advice and medicine if needed.

I have diarrhoea, runny nose, painful cough, headache or similar...

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

For details about the Extended Hours Pharmacies in Christchurch see our urgent and extended hours pharmacies page.

You can view a more comprehensive list of pharmacies in Canterbury on the HealthPoint website 

I have ear pain, vomiting, sore belly, backache, cuts, sprains, itchy rash, strain or similar...

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

In an emergency, call 111. Otherwise you should phone your usual general practice number when you or someone in your family is not feeling well.

After normal opening hours you can speak to a nurse who will give you free health advice on what to do and where to go if you need urgent care.

 

I have ear pain, vomiting, sore belly, backache, cuts, sprains, itchy rash, strain or similar, and I can wait 24 hours

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

For non-urgent health concerns, phone your general practice and book an appointment with your general practice team. 

Some general practices have extended opening hours, you can find phone numbers, opening hours and other details on our General Practice Finder Map

I have a bad cut, bite, or sprain or similar… or I'm feeling really sick and I need help now

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

The practices below are open normal hours for the usual services, but expect that extra precautions may be taken to protect all patients from COVID-19 infection.

Urgent & After Hours Service

Hours

Location

Phone
24 Hour Surgery, Christchurch 24 hours, every day 401 Madras St. Entrance on left before Bealey Ave​ 03 365 7777
Riccarton Clinic 8am-8pm, every day 4 Yaldhurst Rd, Church Corner, Christchurch 03 343 3661
Moorhouse Medical Centre 8am-8pm, every day 3 Pilgrim Place (just off Moorhouse Ave) Christchurch 03 365 7900
Extended Hours Pharmacies See page for details - -
After Hours and Emergency Dentists See page for details - -
Urgent mental health care Freephone 24 hours, every day - 0800 920 092

Extended general practice opening hours

Some general practices have extended opening hours, you can find phone numbers, opening hours and other details on our General Practice Finder Map

I have heavy bleeding, a broken bone, bad burns, chest pain, trouble breathing, head injury or similar...

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

In an emergency dial 111 and ask for "ambulance".

The Emergency Department (ED) at Christchurch Hospital should be used in an emergency for critical or life-threatening situations.

If you cannot travel to the Emergency Department yourself, you should dial 111 and ask for an "ambulance".

As part of a national response to anticipated demands for COVID-19 testing, the Canterbury Health System has set up a Community-based Assessment Centre (CBAC).

The Community-based Assessment Centre is open from Wednesday 18 March and is only for people with appointments/referrals from a General Practice, and the Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department 

People who turn up to the Community-based Assessment Centre without a referral will not be tested.
We do not have the resources to test people for COVID-19 who have not been referred for testing by the appropriate medical professional.

Location 

The Community-based Assessment Centre (CBAC) is based in a temporary building to the right of Canterbury Health Laboratories main entrance.
The CBAC  can be accessed by going through the Canterbury Health Laboratories Car Park - the CBAC is NOT located inside the Canterbury Health Laboratories building.

Community-based Assessment Centre (CBAC)
Located outside Canterbury Health Laboratories
524 Hagley Avenue, Christchurch
Google Map

Car parking

Entry by car is via the Canterbury Health Laboratories main entrance. There are a limited number of car parks available close by, specifically for the testing centre. On-street parking may be available around Hagley Park or Moorhouse Avenue.

View of the CBAC from Hagley Avenue

Christchurch Community based testing centre

Christchurch Community based testing centre, view from Hagley Avenue

Map showing how to access the CBAC

Map showing the location of the Community-based Assessment Centre (CBAC)

Map showing the location of the Community-based Assessment Centre (CBAC)

Page last updated: 3 April 2020

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