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

Never too old to make a change for the better

Wednesday 30 May 2018Media 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.

Herewini Banks was 74 years old when she gave up smoking. She remembers the exact date and time she quit – 4.30pm on 15 July 2016. 

“It was three weeks before my birthday when I gave it up, so it's never too late to quit.”

Two years on from her decision to quit smoking, Herewini (Te Wheke, Takahanga and Tuahuriri) reflects on what life is like being Smokefree. 

“My clothes don't smell of smoke, my hair doesn't smell of smoke, my car doesn't smell of smoke” says Herewini. “And I have more money now, I can buy what I need at the shops.”

Describing herself as a “pretty hardcore smoker” Herewini says people are really surprised to hear she has given up.  “Most people are as pleased as punch when they find out but they are also pretty surprised.” 

For Herewini having others smoking around her hasn't been a problem. “I really thought it would be – but it hasn't.”  But she has discovered that getting frustrated is a trigger for her.  “Yesterday I was driving in the rain, it was hosing down and the window wiper was scraping across the window.  It was really irritating and I couldn't stop and do anything about it…boy did I ever want a cigarette then” she laughs, “but I would never consider getting one, the craving goes anyway.”

With the Rapaki Marae being Smokefree, Herewini remembers what it was like having to go off-site for a smoke.  “It used to be me that said ‘come on pariahs, let's go' when we had to go off-site for a smoke.  Now I have a bit of a giggle when I see them go off, I don't have to do the walk of shame.  I don't know if having the Marae Smokefree will make anyone quit but it could be easier for people who are trying to quit.”

So, to anyone thinking about giving up smoking – “think of your bank account and just do it, do it any way you can.”

ENDS

World Smokefree Day is on Thursday 31st May 2018.

Free support to become Smokefree is available from Te Hā-Waitaha 0800 425 700 or go to www.stopsmokingcanterbury.co.nz.

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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