COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Information about changes at Canterbury DHB hospitals and health centres can be found at www.cdhb.health.nz/covid19

VISITORS TO HOSPITAL

No visitors are allowed, except under exceptional circumstances – Further details...

Last updated:
27 March 2020

  • No visitors are allowed, except under exceptional circumstances. The exceptions to the no visitor policy include:
    • A nominated person supporting a terminally ill patient through their end of life care
    • A parent/guardian who is supporting a child
    • The chosen support person of a woman who is giving birth. This does not apply to the woman’s postnatal stay however, and no visitors will be permitted during this stage of the woman’s care
  • The decision about whether exceptional circumstances apply outside of these exemptions is at the discretion of the Charge Nurse/Midwife Manager or another lead clinician.
  • Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit at any time.
  • All visitors will be assessed at the entry to ensure they meet the exception criteria and will be required to register their details.
  • Visitors who are unwell will not be allowed entry.

These restrictions apply to all wards and services at all times, including the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.

Visitors and family

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Information for patients, patient friends and family, and other visitors to hospitals in Canterbury.

26 March 2020: Restricted visiting at all Canterbury DHB facilities

  • No visitors are allowed, except under exceptional circumstances. The exceptions to the no visitor policy include:
    • A nominated person supporting a terminally ill patient through their end of life care
    • A parent/guardian who is supporting a child
    • The chosen support person of a woman who is giving birth. This does not apply to the woman’s postnatal stay however, and no visitors will be permitted during this stage of the woman’s care
  • The decision about whether exceptional circumstances apply outside of these exemptions is at the discretion of the Charge Nurse/Midwife Manager or another lead clinician.
  • Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit at any time.
  • All visitors will be assessed at the entry to ensure they meet the exception criteria and will be required to register their details.
  • Visitors who are unwell will not be allowed entry.

These restrictions apply to all wards and services at all times, including the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.

To those whanau members who would normally visit their family member in hospital

We are sorry that we have to restrict visiting, but this necessary measure is to protect you and the vulnerable people already in hospital from the spread of COVID-19.

We understand it will be difficult for you to be unable to provide the support you normally would, but please be assured people are being well cared for and we will do our best to help you keep up-to-date and in touch.

For those who don’t have their own phone or device, each ward has a simple portable phone (not a smartphone) they will be able to use. If you want to know how a patient is, please call our patient enquiry phone line.

Patient visiting hours are listed on each hospital page.

Ashburton Hospital

Burwood Hospital

Christchurch Hospital

Christchurch Women's Hospital

Hillmorton Hospital

Kaikōura Health

The Princess Margaret Hospital

ALL hospitals and health facilities

To find out about a patient in hospital, please call the hospitals patient enquiries number.

Ashburton Hospital: 03 307 8450

Burwood Hospital: 03 383 6836

Christchurch Hospital: 03 364 0600

Christchurch Women’s Hospital: 03 364 4309

Hillmorton Hospital: 03 337 7969

Kaikōura Health: 03 319 3500

The Princess Margaret Hospital: 03 337 7800

ALL other hospitals and health facilities

 

If you are visiting a patient

  • Do not visit if you are feeling sick. If you have recently had sickness including coughs, colds, influenza (flu) or diarrhoea, please do not visit until you have been healthy for at least two days unless nursing staff say it is OK.
  • Cover up any open wounds or cuts
  • Clean your hands! If your hands are dirty or you have used the toilet, wash your hands thoroughly. You can also use the alcohol hand rub freely available from the hand hygiene stations in the hospital foyers or at the entrances to all wards and clinics.
  • Do not touch the patient’s wounds, bandages, dressings, or medical equipment.
  • Do not clutter. Help staff keep areas clean by only bringing essential items into the hospital and taking away things that are not required.

Staff may ask visitors to leave the patient from time to time while the patient is receiving clinical care.

If visitors’ behaviour is inappropriate, inconsiderate or threatening, staff will ask visitors to leave Canterbury DHB premises.

See this poster about how to keep patients safe while you visit them.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions from 25 March 2020: Visitors will only be admitted under exceptional circumstances and only one visitor or support person per patient for most areas. No children under 16 will be permitted.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions from 25 March 2020: Visitors will only be admitted under exceptional circumstances and only one visitor or support person per patient for most areas. No children under 16 will be permitted.

It is not possible to have flowers in some hospital areas. If you are thinking of purchasing flowers please ask the hospital volunteers in the gift shop first.

Gift shops also sell flower vouchers, for flowers to be delivered when the patient goes home.

Christchurch Hospital

Flowers and potted plants are not allowed in the following wards and units:

  • Ward 10
  • Ward 11
  • Ward 15 and SPCU (Special Progressive Care Unit)
  • Ward 16 and SARA (Surgical Assessment and Review)
  • Ward 17
  • Ward 18
  • Ward 19 and OTU (Orthopaedic Trauma Unit)
  • Ward 20
  • Ward 24
  • Ward 25
  • Ward 28
  • BMTU (Bone Marrow Transplant Unit)
  • CHOC (Children’s Haematology and Oncology)
  • CICU (Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit)
  • DOSA (Day-of-Surgery Admission)
  • ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
  • PHDU (Paediatric High Dependency Unit)
  • UU (Urology Unit)
  • DSU (Day Surgery Unit)
  • AMAU (Acute Medical Assessment Unit)

Burwood Hospital

Flowers and potted plants are not allowed in the following wards and units:

  • Admitting Unit
  • PACU (Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit) (Recovery)
  • Progressive Care Unit
  • Check with ward staff Ward FG (Spinal Unit) and Ward CG (Brain Injury)

Staff flower deliveries

It is not possible to deliver flowers to staff during work. Staff must collect their flower delivery at the end of their shift on their way home.

 

Canterbury DHB policy does not generally allow dogs, pets or other animals, apart from service animals (e.g. guide dog, therapy animals), into our hospital facilities.

There may be exceptions in some rehabilitation areas and special circumstances by prior arrangement with ward staff.

If wishing to visit with animals

  • You must first discuss and agree the animal visit with staff
  • If a visit is possible, you are responsible for the animal at all times
  • No animal visits are possible during meal times
  • Animals are not allowed in public cafeterias and cafes
  • Dogs need to be on a lead at all times

Due to COVID-19 restrictions from 25 March 2020: Visitors will only be admitted under exceptional circumstances. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions from 25 March 2020: Visitors will only be admitted under exceptional circumstances and only one visitor or support person per patient for most areas. No children under 16 will be permitted.

Page last updated: 3 April 2020

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