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.

Kia whakahaumaru te whānau, me ngā iwi katoa – this is 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 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 should also read the additional more detailed visiting guidelines for each specific hospital.

More COVID-19 information

COVID-19

  1. Home
  2. Your health
  3. COVID-19

Please get vaccinated, get tested if you are sick, and plan ahead. Protect yourself and wear a mask, and please protect our community and health care system.

If people get sick with COVID-19, most will be cared for at home with support from Primary Care teams. If you need to go to hospital, we plan to care for most COVID-19 patients at Christchurch Hospital where there is ICU support available.

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or if enrolled, call your GP.

COVID-19 Readiness Checklist [PDF, 121 KB]Unite against COVID-19 website Ministry of Health website

COVID-19 care in the community

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

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COVID-19 cases

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COVID-19 news

News about COVID-19 and health services in Canterbury.

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COVID-19 tests

How and where to get COVID-19 tests and RATs in Canterbury

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COVID-19 vaccinations

Information about COVID-19 vaccinations in Canterbury and the Chatham Islands

read more COVID-19 vaccinations»

Getting ready – Being prepared – Disability Supplement

Does your household include a disabled person or someone with a long term health condition?

read more Getting ready – Being prepared – Disability Supplement»

Guide for employers and employees

Advice for employees who have COVID-19

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Using telehealth to speak to a doctor

Telehealth, virtual healthcare and e-consultations can provide you with health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, so... read more about Using telehealth to speak to a doctor»

Visiting hospital services in Canterbury (including attending outpatient appointments)

Information about hospital visiting restrictions such as wearing masks and scanning in.

read more Visiting hospital services in Canterbury (including attending outpatient appointments)»

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Page last updated: 24 April 2023

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