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

Look after yourself this Easter and school holidays

Tuesday 31 March 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.

Cantabrians are reminded to look after themselves this Easter and school holidays by taking a few easy steps to stay well.

Dr Alistair Humphrey says it's getting to the time of year when seasons start to change and people do start to experience colds and flus.

“No one likes getting sick, especially on holiday. So if you're going away for Easter or the school holidays and you're not feeling 100 percent, contact your General Practice team, rather than wait until things get worse,” Dr Humphrey says.

“It's important to seek advice early – if you have been feeling unwell phone your General Practice team today.”

Dr Humphrey says another thing to remember if you're heading away, is to stock up on prescriptions.

“Don't leave it until the last minute. Most repeat prescriptions can be organised by phoning your General Practice team and won't require an appointment with the doctor,” he says.

For people who don't have a doctor and are new to Canterbury, it's important they register with a General Practice team in order to have the best access to health services, Dr Humphrey says.

“They are listed in the phone book or by searching online,” he says.

Dr Humphrey says the first step to accessing care is to phone your General Practice team, they will advise you on what to do.

“You may be advised to go to the nearest afterhours centre, or if it's an emergency phone 111.”

Dr Humphrey says another important part of keeping healthy during the colder months is to get an influenza vaccination.

“The flu vaccine provides the best protection against the influenza strains predicted to be circulating this season. Phone your General Practice to make an appointment to get your vaccination.”

Dr Humphrey says one final and perhaps the easiest tip to maintaining physical and mental health and keeping well, is eating a balanced diet, including lots of fruit and vegetables and remaining active over the colder months.

“Even though it's getting colder outside, if you can remain active and make healthy food choices, it will make a big difference to your wellbeing.

“There are lots of seasonal veges on offer that are great for making delicious healthy soups and casseroles. You may even like to think about signing up to the Fruit and Vege Coop – which makes it even easier.”

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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