VISITING HOSPITAL

All hospital visitors are encouraged to wear a medical face mask. Expand this message for information about visiting hospital. 

Last updated:
31 October 2024

Some visitor restrictions for all Health New Zealand | 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 we encourage 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 are advised to not visit our facilities if they are unwell. We advise that you 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 encouraged to be worn at all sites. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one.
  • Please practice hand hygiene with provided alcohol-based hand rub/gel

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 a surgical mask as a minimum – please use surgical masks provided.

All of our Hospitals

Visiting hours for our hospitals have returned to pre COVID-19 hours.

All visitors are encouraged to wear a medical face mask.

Parents/caregivers can be with their child in hospital and visitors are now allowed, except for the Children’s Haematology and Oncology Day stay where visitor restrictions might apply.

Patients and visitors can also read the additional COVID-19 related visiting guidelines .

Health warning lifted for Selwyn Waikirikiri River at Whitecliffs Domain

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Thursday 5 February 2015Media 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THIS IS AN ARCHIVED PAGE. The advice and information contained in this page may not be current and it should only be used for historical reference purposes.

Health warning lifted for Selwyn / Waikirikiri River at Whitecliffs Domain

The Community and Public Health division of the Canterbury District Health Board has lifted its algal bloom health warning issued along the Selwyn River at Whitecliffs Domain. This was issued on November 21, 2014.

Recent surveys at Whitecliffs Domain has shown the quantity of potentially toxic blue-green algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the river has decreased and algal cover is now below levels of concern to public health.

Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says Environment Canterbury's sampling will continue to the end of this summer then will resume next summer when there is increased likelihood of cyanobacteria growth.

Facts about cyanobacteria:

Appears as dark brown/black mats attached to rocks along the riverbed
The algae occur naturally but can increase rapidly during warmer months
It often has a strong musty smell and algal toxin concentrations can vary over short periods with changing environmental conditions
Although high river levels will remove the algal bloom, detached mats can accumulate along the shore and increase the risk of exposure to toxins
If a health warning is in place avoid contact with the water
Although district or city councils may place warning signs, these may not be seen at the numerous river access points, hence the need for people/ dog-walkers to treat every low-flowing river cautiously.

For further information visit http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/swimming-water-quality/Pages/river-warnings.aspx

Or contact Community and Public Health on (03) 364 1777.

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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