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.

Kia whakahaumaru te whānau, me ngā iwi katoa – this is 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 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

You can help take the pressure off an especially busy Christchurch Hospital

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Wednesday 29 May 2019Media release3 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.
Care around the clock is available for Cantabrians from their usual GP

Care around the clock is available for Cantabrians from their usual GP

With winter illnesses like coughs and colds already on the rise and a spell of colder weather forecast, Canterbury hospitals are under pressure.

There’s been an increase in influenza-like illness in Canterbury in the last week, which has led to an increase in demand for health services, particularly on the Emergency Department of Christchurch Hospital and on hospital admissions across the region.

Canterbury District Health Board is reminding people that they can help take the pressure off emergency services by always making their general practice team the first port of call for their non-emergency healthcare.

Carolyn Gullery, Executive Director Planning, Funding and Decision Support says the Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital is always available for emergency care and you shouldn’t hesitate to dial 111 in a life-threatening emergency – but if it isn’t an emergency, there are quicker ways of getting the help you need from the right person.

“If it’s not an emergency, you should always call your own general practice team first. Save their phone number in your mobile phone so you can also easily access free health advice after hours.

“When you call your general practice after hours, a registered nurse will be available to provide free health advice any time of day or night. They will advise you what to do and, if you need to be seen urgently, where to go. Many practices now operate extended hours or additional services, which is another reason you should call first to check,” Carolyn says.

You can meet some of the #carearoundtheclock nursing team and learn more about the service they provide here.

If you need medical attention after hours but although it’s not life-threatening it won’t wait, you can visit one of the Urgent Care practices listed below. They can provide a number of after-hours services beyond those you might expect to find at most general practices. They specialise in sports injuries, can carry out minor surgery, take X-rays and set broken bones for example.

  • The 24 Hour Surgery – open all day, every day
  • Moorhouse Medical –open 8am – 8pm daily
  • Riccarton Clinic –open 8am – 8pm daily

For people who want to take that extra step to keep themselves well this winter, the flu vaccine is available now. It’s free for over 65s and pregnant women at general practices and many pharmacies. It’s also free for vulnerable people with certain pre-existing health conditions but only through their general practice team. If you’re not eligible for a free flu shot, contact your general practice team or pharmacy to find how you can get one.

The best way to protect yourself and your whānau and stop the spread of influenza is to get immunised – or you could be putting yourself and your whānau at risk.

For more information about flu and why it’s worth avoiding, visit: www.flufree.co.nz

ENDS

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Page last updated: 19 October 2022

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