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

Gear Up Against Legionella

Cases of Legionnaires’ disease typically increase during the months of September, October and November during... read more about Gear Up Against Legionella»

Get a great night’s sleep, here’s how…

We’ve got some tips to help you get a good, refreshing night’s sleep as often as you can. Good sleep habits will... read more about Get a great night’s sleep, here’s how…»

Get free dentist visits while you can

Dental care is free up until you turn 18, so get it while you still can! The Community Dental Service provides free... read more about Get free dentist visits while you can»

Get help paying for residential care: Here’s how

People who require long-term supported accommodation due to an illness or a disability may be entitled to a subsidy.... read more about Get help paying for residential care: Here’s how»

Get on your bike and ride

It’s not a bicycle race! It’s just a fun, healthy and fast way to get around. Riding your bike to work, school, or... read more about Get on your bike and ride»

Getting a flu jab is your best defence against influenza

Getting a flu jab is your best defence against influenza and 100,000 Cantabrians have now received theirs. If you... read more about Getting a flu jab is your best defence against influenza»

Getting funding for disability and injury equipment

The right equipment can help you do things in your own home, use the bathroom, and move around in your community. But... read more about Getting funding for disability and injury equipment»

Getting your flu shot early is more important than ever this year

During and following this COVID-19 Omicron outbreak, influenza vaccination is more important than ever. As our borders... read more about Getting your flu shot early is more important than ever this year»

Good-looking smiles are easy

This Healthy Smiles video will show you some easy ways to keep your teeth healthy and looking good. Good oral health is... read more about Good-looking smiles are easy»

Got arthritis? Stay active!

Keeping active is one of the best things you can do to manage your osteoarthritis. It also helps with many other health... read more about Got arthritis? Stay active!»

Grief and loss

We all handle grief in different ways. Feeling sad is completely normal, and there are people and services available to help you cope.

read more Grief and loss»

Has someone close to you been seriously injured?

ACC has web-based advice and resources for people to find out what they need to do if they're injured in an accident... read more about Has someone close to you been seriously injured?»

Health providers and counsellors

Information about counselling and support services available to people in Canterbury.

read more Health providers and counsellors»

Heatstroke and heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is when you become very hot and your body starts to lose water or salt, making you overheat. Heat... read more about Heatstroke and heat exhaustion»

Help for children whose parents have a mental illness or addiction

There are people and organisations that can help you. If you, or a child you know, needs help to cope with a family... read more about Help for children whose parents have a mental illness or addiction»

Help your children get a good night’s sleep. Here’s how

If your child's sleep is disturbed at night, it makes it harder for them to function during the day. It also raises the... read more about Help your children get a good night’s sleep. Here’s how»

Help your older family members stay safe from falls

Live Stronger for Longer research shows people over 65 are very sensitive to being told what to do, and don't want to... read more about Help your older family members stay safe from falls»

Helping our Muslim communities feel safe and welcome

New Zealand’s Muslim communities still feel vulnerable. You can support them and help them feel accepted and wanted.

read more Helping our Muslim communities feel safe and welcome»

Here’s how to get free dentist visits

All kids and teenagers in New Zealand can get free dental care up until their 18th birthday. The Ministry of Health has... read more about Here’s how to get free dentist visits»

How much should you weigh?

How much should I weigh? What should I eat to get to my ideal weight? The answers are different depending on your... read more about How much should you weigh?»

How to find a doctor for your child

It’s important to enrol your child with a general practice at birth or as soon as possible after that. Being enrolled... read more about How to find a doctor for your child»

How to get a free B4 School Check for your child

The B4 School Check is the final Well Child Tamariki Ora free health and development check for your 4-year-old. If your... read more about How to get a free B4 School Check for your child»

How to get back into the community after an illness or injury

It is important to get back into activities with other people after an illness, injury, or surgery – but it can seem... read more about How to get back into the community after an illness or injury»

How to keep your home warm & dry

A cold, damp home is the last thing you need in the Canterbury winter. And it isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s bad... read more about How to keep your home warm & dry»

How to minimise the frustration of memory loss.

Mild memory loss is very common as people get older. These strategies can help you make changes to your environment... read more about How to minimise the frustration of memory loss.»

How to talk to your kids about puberty

It's important to talk to your children about puberty. Try to start talking to them before signs of puberty develop so... read more about How to talk to your kids about puberty»

Immediate help for mental health issues

There are many helplines available for immediate mental health related assistance.

read more Immediate help for mental health issues»

Immunisations: Get them now, get them free

Immunisation is the best way to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases. The Ministry of Health funds a... read more about Immunisations: Get them now, get them free»

Is immunisation safe for children?

The evidence is clear: Immunisation is safe. It protects your child from some serious diseases and helps to stop those... read more about Is immunisation safe for children?»

Is sitting at work bad for you?

Well… it can be if you don’t sit in the right posture. But spending a lot of time standing up can also be bad... read more about Is sitting at work bad for you?»

Is your life getting in the way of sleeping?

As a teenager you need more sleep than ever, but you also have to deal with increasing school work, sport, and your own... read more about Is your life getting in the way of sleeping?»

It’s OK to ask for help, so who do you ask?

If it’s an emergency, dial 111 now. There are lots of reasons young people need help or someone to talk to, such as... read more about It’s OK to ask for help, so who do you ask?»

It’s time to go home from hospital. What now?

ACC has information about preparing to return home from hospital, including transport, making sure you have the right... read more about It’s time to go home from hospital. What now?»

Keeping active: every bit of movement counts

Keeping active is one of the best things you can do for your health. Being active can reduce your chance of cancer,... read more about Keeping active: every bit of movement counts»

Keeping safe on the road

The number of people dying on our roads is growing. So how can you protect yourself from harm? ACC has some advice and... read more about Keeping safe on the road»

Keeping yourself safe during COVID-19

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ramon Pink shares some advice about keeping yourself safe during... read more about Keeping yourself safe during COVID-19»

Showing 41-80 of 143 results, page 2 of 4.

Page last updated: 13 June 2023

Is this page useful?