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 can also read the additional COVID-19 related visiting guidelines .

Your health

ACC is there to help. Find out how

ACC's National Serious Injury Service specialises in helping people return to their everyday lives after serious... read more about ACC is there to help. Find out how»

Add five ways to wellbeing into your day

​Whether the going is good or times are tough, research has shown that five key actions can make a real difference to... read more about Add five ways to wellbeing into your day»

Advice for smokers who don’t want to harm their children

Children with parents who smoke are much more likely to get sick, be admitted to hospital, and start smoking when they... read more about Advice for smokers who don’t want to harm their children»

Tags

Alcohol Drug Helpline

If you are worried about your own drug taking, or a friend, get in touch with the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787... read more about Alcohol Drug Helpline»

Are your medicines right for you? How to find out

When taken correctly with regular reviews by your doctor, medications can improve your health and prolong your life.... read more about Are your medicines right for you? How to find out»

Asthma in children

Children with asthma can usually exercise and do the same things their friends do, as long as you manage the condition... read more about Asthma in children»

Be the best motorcyclist you can be

Ride Forever is a great resource for motorcyclists. It has valuable information for beginners and veterans about... read more about Be the best motorcyclist you can be»

Being a caregiver at home…

Providing personal care to someone can make a huge difference in their life. It is also a big responsibility for you.... read more about Being a caregiver at home…»

Being healthy from birth through the teen years

Kidshealth has heaps of articles and resources on all sorts of children’s health topics, including (but not limited... read more about Being healthy from birth through the teen years»

Care around the clock

Make your GP team your first call 24/7. Unless it’s an emergency (when you should call 111), always make your general... read more about Care around the clock»

Carers: Where to find more info

Whether you are choosing to become a carer, or have a family member who needs care, there is a lot to think about when... read more about Carers: Where to find more info»

Check out the HealthInfo Canterbury website

HealthInfo Canterbury is an easy-to-use health information website written just for you, the people of Canterbury. You... read more about Check out the HealthInfo Canterbury website»

Choose a Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating plan. It's based on traditional foods eaten in countries around the... read more about Choose a Mediterranean diet»

Community Māori health providers

There are services available to help Māori people with their healthcare. Some services are provided by government... read more about Community Māori health providers»

Community Services Card = cheaper GP fees

Many general practices charge lower fees if you have a Community Services Card (CSC). If you have a CSC, the most you... read more about Community Services Card = cheaper GP fees»

Community support & advocacy

Looking after yourself isn’t something you need to do alone – there are several organisations who can support you and advocate on your behalf.

read more Community support & advocacy»

Concussion, or just a whack to the head?

Learn to recognise the signs of concussion and what to do if you or someone else gets an injury to the brain with this... read more about Concussion, or just a whack to the head?»

Condoms? Vasectomy? Options for healthy sex and contraception

There are a few options for men’s contraception and sexual health, including using condoms or getting a vasectomy.... read more about Condoms? Vasectomy? Options for healthy sex and contraception»

COVID-19 care in the community

How to care for yourself and your whānau if you get COVID-19 

read more COVID-19 care in the community»

COVID-19 cases

Active and recovered COVID-19 cases in... read more about COVID-19 cases»

COVID-19 tests

Information about how and where to get COVID-19 tests is available on our health information website info.health.nz

read more COVID-19 tests»

Depression: You don’t have to tough it out

Depression and anxiety can happen to anybody, but men are less likely to reach out for help. Experiencing depression is... read more about Depression: You don’t have to tough it out»

Did you know there are Māori health teams in hospital services?

Māori health services are designed to promote health, work with Māori people, and encourage healthcare providers to... read more about Did you know there are Māori health teams in hospital services?»

Dispose insulin pens and insulin needles

In Canterbury you can dispose needles and insulin pens safely through most community pharmacies, find out how to do... read more about Dispose insulin pens and insulin needles»

Tags

Do I need braces? And other questions for teenage teeth

If you have crooked teeth, your dentist might recommend orthodontic treatment which can improve how your teeth look and... read more about Do I need braces? And other questions for teenage teeth»

Don’t let injuries ruin your rugby season

There’s nothing worse than copping an injury in an early game and sitting on the sideline for the rest of the season.... read more about Don’t let injuries ruin your rugby season»

Donation advice

Donating money or items such as clothing and food, can be a useful way to support those in need.

read more Donation advice»

Eating for good health

What you eat can make a huge difference to your health and wellbeing. Choosing healthy foods can lower your risk of... read more about Eating for good health»

Eight of the most common ways kids get injured

Childhood injuries are common. Thankfully most of these are minor. But every year in New Zealand children are badly... read more about Eight of the most common ways kids get injured»

Emergency dental care: Where to go

If you or a family member has a very painful toothache or an injury to your teeth or gums, get help as soon as... read more about Emergency dental care: Where to go»

Everyday activities can be hard. Here’s how to keep going

Having a health condition or injury might seem limiting, but it doesn't mean you have to stop doing all the things you... read more about Everyday activities can be hard. Here’s how to keep going»

Exercise in Pregnancy classes

Exercise in our hydrotherapy pool and meet other expectant mothers at our Exercise in Pregnancy... read more about Exercise in Pregnancy classes»

Fatigue: It’s not just ‘being tired at work’

Fatigue is a real issue in industries that rely on workers being mentally and physically alert. Fatigue reduces a... read more about Fatigue: It’s not just ‘being tired at work’»

Find a Well Child Tamariki Ora provider in Canterbury

The Well Child Tamariki Ora programme is a series of health visits and support that are free to all families for... read more about Find a Well Child Tamariki Ora provider in Canterbury»

Find support to stay healthy and live comfortably

The Ministry of Health and district health boards fund several services for older people to help support you as you... read more about Find support to stay healthy and live comfortably»

Five steps to protect your child’s smile

Looking after your child’s baby teeth can help ensure their adult teeth come through healthy and strong. The Ministry... read more about Five steps to protect your child’s smile»

Five ways to wellbeing

Feeling… blah? We've all been there! As well as sapping our energy levels, feeling a bit flat can start to take... read more about Five ways to wellbeing»

Free hearing checks

The Ministry of Health funds free hearing checks for children. If your child has a hearing loss, finding it early is... read more about Free hearing checks»

Fussy kids? Here’s how to get them eating

As the saying goes, you can sit a child at the table, but you can’t force them to eat. But you can encourage fussy or... read more about Fussy kids? Here’s how to get them eating»

Showing 1-40 of 143 results, page 1 of 4.

Page last updated: 13 June 2023

Is this page useful?