Information for patients, patient friends and family, and other visitors to hospitals in Canterbury.
Unable to visit someone in hospital? We can help you stay connected.
Email your message/pictures to patientlink@cdhb.health.nz stating who it is from, who it is for and which hospital/ward they are in. Our volunteers will make sure your message gets to them.
For visitors to all facilities effective from Tuesday 19 April 2022
With the change to the ORANGE Traffic Light setting, Canterbury DHB is easing its visitor policy in recognition of the fact we have passed the peak of the current Omicron outbreak and case numbers are slowly reducing.
The following visitor restrictions are now in place for all Canterbury DHB hospitals and health facilities:
By adhering to these conditions, you help keep our patients, staff, other visitors and yourself safe. We 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.
Exceptions to the ‘one visitor’ policy
Exceptions for people with disabilities
An exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to the one permitted visitor.
Face covering exemption cards
The Exemptions Team at the Ministry of Health is now responsible for processing requests for Face Covering Communication Cards.
Updated information about mask wearing, and how to request an exemption card can now be found here. People unable to request an exemption card online can call 0800 28 29 26 and select option 2, or text 8988
For more details about visiting specific hospitals while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, please see our COVID-19 page.
Patient visiting hours are listed on each hospital page.
To find out about a patient in hospital, please call the hospitals patient enquiries number.
Ashburton Hospital: 03 307 8450
Christchurch Hospital: 03 364 0600
Christchurch Women’s Hospital: 03 364 4309
Hillmorton Hospital: 03 337 7969
The Princess Margaret Hospital: 03 337 7800
ALL other hospitals and health facilities
Please email your message/pictures for a patient to patientlink@cdhb.health.nz stating the following:
Our volunteers will make sure your message gets to the patient you wish to contact.
Family may visit seriously ill patients at any time with the approval of the nurse in charge. If your friend or family member is very unwell, or English is not their first language, you may be able to stay with them.
However, we encourage visitors to keep to visiting hours (see the hospital page for details of visiting hours) whenever possible to give patients time to rest.
If family members are likely to be away from home, it is important to leave contact telephone numbers with ward staff.
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.
Flowers and potted plants are not allowed in the following wards and units:
Flowers and potted plants are not allowed in any wards in Christchurch Women’s Hospital.
This includes the Maternity Ward and Birthing Suite and all Community Maternity Units at Rangiora, Selwyn, Ashburton, Kaikoura, Darfield.
Flowers and potted plants are not allowed in the following wards and units:
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.
These visitors need permission to access Canterbury DHB facilities.
Media visiting Canterbury DHB hospitals can find information in the Media Guide page.
Page last updated: 8 June 2022
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