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

Support available for distress caused by sentencing for mosque attacks

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Monday 24 August 2020Media 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.

CDHB is reminding people there is support available with the sentencing for the mosque attacks beginning this week

With the sentencing for the 15 March 2019 mosque attacks beginning today, people may experience various emotions. This is completely natural and Canterbury DHB is reminding people there are a range of supports they can access.

Canterbury DHB psychiatrist, Dr Caroline Bell says there is likely to be some distress experienced by some in the community when the sentencing opens in Christchurch this week.

“It’s important we’re aware it is natural that any media coverage of the sentencing may reawaken memories of that terrible day,” Dr Bell says.

Everyone should remember that if they want to talk to someone, they can phone or text 1737 to be connected with a counsellor at any time of the day or night. This is a free and confidential service.

People can also seek the support they need through their General Practice team.

“We encourage people to be mindful of how the coverage might impact on people, especially children, and be prepared to limit their media consumption if it begins to feel overwhelming.

“There are simple ways people can care for themselves and others, such as chatting with a friend or going for a walk. Reaching out to others with aroha and kindness can really help.” says Dr Bell.

Other simple things people can do include:

  • Limiting exposure to social media
  • Reflecting on what you feel grateful for
  • Doing what makes you feel good to help refuel your body and brain.

ENDS

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Page last updated: 19 August 2021

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