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 should also read the additional more detailed visiting guidelines for each specific hospital.

More COVID-19 information

Monkeypox

Home

Your health

Everyday health tips

Monkeypox

About Monkeypox (MPX)

Monkeypox (MPX) is a viral disease that can be transmitted by close contact with skin lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials. MPX is zoonotic, which means it can pass between animals and humans. MPX is a rare infection and the risk of it spreading widely in New Zealand remains low as it is not very contagious.

If you think you may have been exposed to MPX or if you develop symptoms, especially a rash, you should stay home, self-isolate and seek medical advice. You can contact your nearest sexual health clinic, your GP, or Healthline on 0800 611 116.

If you need to visit a medical practice or hospital for care, you should call ahead before visiting to let them know you are coming and tell them about your symptoms. To avoid passing on MPX to others, wear a well-fitted medical mask, cover any rashes or blisters on your skin, and travel via private transport.

More information about Monkeypox

The Ministry of Health (MoH) website provides detailed information about Monkeypox including advice about at-risk communities, symptomatic people, cases and contacts.

Page last updated: 24 August 2022

Is this page useful?