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 .

Stay cool when you’re feeling hot, hot, hot…

Tuesday 22 December 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.

​Summer has kicked off with a scorcher.

With yesterday’s temperatures reaching well into the mid-30s, health officials want to remind people that extreme heat can be deadly.

Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says NIWA’s prediction of an El Nino summer seem to be on the mark, with hot windy weather already basking the eastern regions, including Canterbury.

“Yesterday was exceptionally hot and while it’s great to enjoy these summer days, if we get several consecutive days at extreme temperatures, it can pose a number of health risks or can even be deadly for some people and animals.”

Dr Humphrey says people need to protect themselves from the sun and slip, slop, slap and wrap, drink plenty of water and stay out of direct heat wherever possible.

“Also make sure you check on any family, friends and neighbours who spend much of their time alone,” Dr Humphrey says.

“Make sure you’re pets have plenty of shade and fresh cool water available at all times and never leave pets or children alone in closed vehicles.”

Dr Humphrey says to phone your usual General Practice Team if you, or someone you know, starts to show any signs of a heat related illness.

The three key stages indicating the onset of heat illness are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, he says.

Heat Cramps occur when a person sweats profusely and drinks lots of water but does not adequately replace electrolytes lost due to perspiration.

“Drinking large quantities of water to quench thirst can dilute the body’s fluids as the body continues to lose vital mineral salts through perspiration. When the body’s salt levels fall low enough, painful muscle cramps may occur.”

Dr Humphrey says heat exhaustion starts with symptoms similar to heat cramps, with additional indications such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, skin that feels cold, pale and clammy, possible fainting and vomiting.

Heat stroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its core temperature. As the individual’s body temperature escalates above 40.5°C, victims become confused, delirious, and often unconscious.

“For anyone experiencing any of these symptoms it’s important to seek medical advice or in an emergency phone 111.”

ENDS ​

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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