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

Cantabrians reminded to bring in their medicines if they’re being admitted to hospital

Wednesday 14 August 2019Media 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.
Cantabrians are being reminded to bring their medication with them during their hospital stay

Cantabrians are being reminded to bring their medication with them during their hospital stay

Being admitted to hospital is often a challenging time but being prepared can make your stay and return home a little easier.

Canterbury DHB is reminding patients to prepare for their hospital stay by packing a bag with all the items they might need.

“It’s helpful for patients to always bring in any medications from home they’re currently using, including medicines bought at the pharmacy and supermarket, as well as complementary, alternative or natural therapies. Also bring your medication list (also known as a yellow card) if you have one,” says Canterbury DHB Chief Medical Officer Sue Nightingale.

Canterbury District Health Board has this handy checklist on its website to remind you what to bring in with you and what you are better off leaving at home.

For more information on preparing for your stay or visit to hospital is available here.

Once you are discharged from hospital, if you have any questions about your medicines or need other health advice, contact your General Practice team or community pharmacist. You community pharmacist can assist you with managing your medicines, including providing advice, medicines lists, pill organisers or dose-packing.

You can also access #carearoundtheclock 24/7 by calling your General Practice team after hours on their usual number. You’ll be transferred to a registered nurse ready to take your call – any time of day or night. They provide free health advice, and if you need to be seen urgently, they can tell you what to do and where to go.

For trusted health advice, you can also visit the HealthInfo website which has health information specific to Canterbury. It is written and approved by local doctors, practice nurses, hospital clinicians, and other healthcare professionals, and features a mix of health information, fact sheets on different topics and descriptions of local health services.

ENDS

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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