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 .

Bookings strongly recommended for tamariki COVID-19 immunisations

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Friday 14 January 2022Media release2 minutes to read

THIS IS AN ARCHIVED PAGE. The advice and information contained in this page may not be current and it should only be used for historical reference purposes.

Bookings strongly recommended for tamariki COVID-19 immunisations

From Monday, parents or caregivers of 5 to 11-year-olds can get their tamariki immunised against COVID-19, says Dr Helen Skinner, Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 response, Canterbury DHB.

A list of clinics delivering tamariki immunisations, along with resources for parents to support their decisions and discussions can be found on the website: https://vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz/covid-19-immunisations-for-children/.

“We strongly recommend that you make a booking on the Book My Vaccine website as some clinics (GP practices) are only vaccinating enrolled patients and not all clinics start vaccinating children on the 17th. Bookings through the website open on Monday,” says Dr Skinner.

“More clinics are getting ready to come on board in the next few weeks as they complete the necessary training to deliver the vaccine to tamariki and prepare their site to accommodate families coming together.”

Tamariki aged 5-11 years old will receive a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine and will need two doses delivered 8 weeks apart. Children in this age group must have a parent, caregiver or legal guardian accompany them to their appointment and provide consent for them to be vaccinated.

“Most children and young people who catch COVID-19 will have mild symptoms. However, some can become very sick and require hospitalisation. 

“I really encourage you to take time to get the information and advice you need to make the best decision for your child.

“Immunisation is an important way we keep tamariki safe, like being sun smart or wearing a seatbelt. It protects your tamariki from many serious diseases and stops disease spreading within your whānau and the community,” says Dr Skinner.

If you’re looking for more information about COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-11 year olds here are some useful links:

ENDS

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Page last updated: 27 February 2024

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