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

Public health officials arrive in Kaikoura

Tuesday 15 November 2016Media 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.

Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Alistair Humphrey and two Canterbury DHB health protection officers flew to Kaikoura today to provide public health support to the isolated region.​

Dr Alistair Humphrey says this is a critical time for preventing infectious disease outbreaks. “Power cuts, damaged sewerage infrastructure, people sharing accommodation and a lack of access to clean drinking water can create ideal conditions for the spread of infectious diseases,” Dr Humphrey says.

“We will be working to ensure people have access to the right information and that systems are in place to address any water and sanitary health issues, or psychosocial issues, that may emerge.

“It's up to everyone in and around the area most affected by the earthquakes to do everything they can to prevent disease outbreaks. Everyone needs to thoroughly wash their hands or use hand sanitiser after toileting, and before and after eating or preparing food.

“People in the affected area need to boil their drinking water or, if that's not possible, treat it with ¼ teaspoon of bleach per two litre container of water.”

Dr Humphrey says anyone who is even remotely unwell should contact their GP team immediately, limit contact with other people, and not prepare food.

Dr Lucy D'Aeth, Chair of the Greater Christchurch Psychosocial Committee, says ongoing aftershocks, sleep deprivation and the enormity of the clean-up job may now begin to hit home.

D'Aeth says it's important people check on their neighbours and spend time on things, which are good for their wellbeing.

“One of the best things you can do to look after yourself is to connect with others in your community. You don't need to go through this alone.

“Helping others and giving your time can make a big difference, whether it's helping someone with a big clean up job or spending time talking to people about how they are doing.

“Doing exercise is also a proven mood booster – even a little bit can help a lot.”

As part of the response to these earthquakes, additional staff have been rostered on to the Canterbury Support Line. The free phone line (0800 777 846) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can arrange appropriate support for people affected by the earthquake.​

ENDS

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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