HOSPITAL VISITING

Hospital visiting guidelines updated 16 September 2022: Hospital visitors must wear a surgical/medical paper mask. Fabric face coverings are not acceptable.  See our COVID-19 page for general COVID-19 advice, detailed hospital visiting guidelines and COVID-19 tests.

See www.vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz for info on vaccinations.

Last updated:
16 September 2022

Fewer visitor restrictions now apply

For visitors to all facilities effective from 16 September 2022

Some visitor restrictions for all Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast health facilities remain in place, but we have relaxed others.

There is still a heightened risk to vulnerable people in hospital and so people must continue to wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities and follow other advice designed to keep patients, staff and other 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 in single rooms may have more than one visitor while patients in multi-bed rooms can have one visitor only per patient to ensure there is no overcrowding.
  • People can have one or two support people to accompany them to outpatients appointments.
  • Women in labour in a birthing suite, in Te Nīkau Hospital’s Maternity Ward and in Buller’s Kawatiri Maternity Unit can have the usual support people, subject to space, for the duration of their stay in our facilities.
  • Eating or drinking at the bedside is at the discretion of the Clinical Nurse Manager. Visitors must not eat or drink in multibed rooms because of the increased risk when multiple people remove their 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.

Mask wearing

  • Surgical/medical masks must be worn at all sites, except in counselling, mental health and addiction services where it’s on a case-by-case agreement with patients. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one. In higher-risk environments, people, including young children, may not be able to visit if they cannot wear a mask.
  • Any member of the public with a mask exemption is welcome in all our facilities when attending to receive health care and *treatment. Please show your mask exemption card and appointment letter to staff at the entrance. *Treatment includes coming into the Emergency Department, outpatient appointments, surgery or a procedure.

Visiting patients with COVID-19

  • People are able to 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.

You must NOT visit our facilities if you

  • are COVID-19 positive
  • are unwell. Please stay home if you have a tummy bug or cold or flu/COVID-19-like symptoms (even if you’ve tested negative for COVID-19).

Te Whatu Ora West Coast Aged Residential Care facilities

Visitors are welcome at our Aged Care Residential facilities, subject to the space available. All visitors must wear a surgical mask.

More COVID-19 information

West Coast Pānui

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2 documents.

West Coast Pānui – 11 November 2022

West Coast DHB’s own newsletter.

In this edition, read about Te Pae Tata (our opportunity) – the interim New Zealand Health Plan and the transfer of roles to Te Aka Whai Ora. There’s information about the code of expectations for health entities as well as a timely reminder to take care of yourself.

Also, in this edition, we shine the spotlight on the roll-out of the National Bowel Screening Programme on the Coast, celebrate the achievements of our Whānau Ora kaimahi and acknowledge Dr Alan Furniss’ recent award for excellence in rural practice.

There’s a quiz that tests your knowledge of human anatomy and information about MPX (monkeypox).

Main sections you will find in this edition of the West Coast Pānui:

  • Kupu Arataki – Introduction
  • Ā mātou tāngata – Our people
  • Ā mātou kōrero – Our stories
  • Pānui – Notices  

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More informationDownload pdf (4 MB)

West Coast Pānui – Issue: 1 – Monday 22 August 2022

In this edition, read about the Te Whatu Ora Change Hub, which includes information about the working groups, work streams and the design process of the new health system operating model. There’s an update on our visitor restrictions as well as some helpful information about supporting healthcare workers through the pandemic.  Also, in this edition, we welcome Dr Calvin Davis to the South Westland Area Practice team, shine the spotlight on Medical Laboratory Technician Harriet Hoeve as well as Immunisation Coordinator Jessie Chapman.There’s a quiz that tests your knowledge of medical-themed TV shows and movies and a delicious Curried Kumara Soup recipe.

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More informationDownload pdf (6 MB)

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Page last updated: 10 November 2022

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