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 .

Keep cool and hydrated

Friday 26 January 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.

It's a long-held view that summer's hottest days arrive just as the children return to school – and that's set to ring true with a week of high temperatures forecast across the country in the coming week.

The North Canterbury town of Waiau recorded a high of 37 degrees on Thursday  – the warmest temperature recorded in New Zealand in almost seven years.

Weather forecasters are predicting a run of hot days, peaking on Tuesday and Wednesday with forecast highs of 32 in Christchurch.

The small West Coast town of Reefton is set to swelter with 5 days of predicted 30+ temperatures.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey says older people, children and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk from the impacts of heat stress.

“It's especially important to stay out of the sun, avoid extreme physical exertion and ensure that babies, children, and elderly people (and pets) are not left alone in stationary cars.”

Dr Humphrey says extreme heat can affect blood pressure and hydration, and he urges people to seek help if they feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst or a headache.

“Good hydration is key, try to consume at least two litres of water a day and avoid drinking alcohol in the hot weather as it speeds up dehydration.”

As well as being SunSmart (Slip, Slop, Slap & Wrap) if outdoors, residents are advised to keep their houses cool by opening windows to get a breeze, closing curtains to keep the sun out and consider using the cool cycle on heat pumps.

If you feel unwell and are concerned about your health, or someone else's, seek medical advice.

In Canterbury you can call your own General Practice team 24/7 for care around the clock – after hours a nurse can provide free health advice. If it's urgent and you need to be seen, they will tell you what to do and where to go.

Further information on keeping healthy in hot weather will be available.

ENDS

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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