Visitors and whānau

Patient visiting hours are listed below, more information about hospitals can be found on each hospital page.

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

Unable to visit someone in hospital? We can help you stay connected.

Please email your message/pictures for a patient to patientlink@cdhb.health.nz stating the following:

1. who it is from
2. who it is for
3. the hospital/ward the patient is in

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 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 wards/areas. If you are thinking of purchasing flowers at Christchurch Hospital or Burwood Hospital please ask the hospital volunteers in the volunteer gift shops first.

Hospital gift shops also sell flower vouchers, for flowers to be delivered when the patient goes home, and other gifts are also available instead of flowers.

Christchurch Hospital

Flowers and potted plants are NOT ALLOWED in the following wards and units:

• Ward 10
• Ward 11
• Ward 14
• Ward 18
• Ward 20
• Ward 24
• Ward 25
• Ward A3, Waipapa – General Surgery and Gastroenterology, Surgical Progressive Care Unit (SPCU)
• Ward A4, Waipapa – Orthopaedics and Trauma Unit 
• Ward A5, Waipapa – General Surgery
• Ward A8, Waipapa – Vascular Surgery and Acute Stroke Unit (ASU)
• Ward B3, Waipapa – General Surgery and SARA
• Ward B4, Waipapa – Orthopaedics 
• Ward B8, Waipapa – Nephrology and Neurosurgery
• BMTU (Bone Marrow Transplant Unit)
• CHOC (Children’s Haematology and Oncology)
• CICU (Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit)
• DOSA (Day-of-Surgery Admission)
• DSU (Day Surgery Unit)
• ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
• Medical Assessment Unit (MA) formerly known as AMAU (Acute Medical Assessment Unit)
• PHDU (Paediatric High Dependency Unit)
• UU (Urology Unit)

Christchurch Women's Hospital and Maternity 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, Rolleston, Ashburton and Kaikoura.

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.

Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury policy does not generally allow pets, dogs, 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

Business, sales and charity representative visitors need permission to access Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury facilities.

• Arrange your visit in advance with the person you need to speak to
• On arrival at reception, complete the sign-in register or electronic sign-in, and fill in a visitor label to wear
• Follow Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury rules and guidelines while on-site 

Media visiting Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury hospitals can find further information in the Media Guide page.