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

Health centres and hospital

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11 health facilities for "General Medical Practice".

Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre

From the most urgent and seriously unwell people, who require emergency or specialist care to those with planned appointments to see their general practice team, there is time and space at Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre for everyone who needs health care.  This modern West Coast DHB facility also houses a community pharmacy and cafeteria. 

Emergency Department at this facility

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Buller Health

Buller Health is the home of all Te Whatu Ora health services for Westport and Northern Buller.  Buller Health is located on Cobden St in Westport. The team of this facility works closely with colleagues in Greymouth to provide seamless care.

Buller Health provides 24 hrs Acute/Emergency services. In an Emergency call 111.

  • For GP (General Practice/Doctor) services please see Buller Medical just below
  • Buller Health, 46B Cobden Street, Westport
  • General enquiries: 03 788 9030
  • Reception: 03 788 9030
  • For hospital services please see Buller Health block just above
  • Buller Medical, 46B Cobden Street, Westport
  • General enquiries: 03 788 9277
  • Fax: (03) 788-9279

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Karamea Health Centre

Also known by the name of Karamea Health Centre – Full-time rural nurse specialists provide everyday care for the Karamea community. They also hold GP clinics with visiting doctors every week.  Karamea Health Centre offers many of the services available at larger GP clinics. However, you may need to travel for some services.

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Lake Brunner Clinic

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Ngakawau Health Centre

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Reefton Health

  • GP practice: 103 Shiel Street, Reefton
  • Accessible entrance and aged care facility: 120 Broadway, Reefton
  • Reception: 03 732 8605

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South Westland Area Practice – Fox Glacier Clinic

Fox Glacier Clinic is staffed by rural nurse specialists. This clinic also holds regular GP clinics with visiting doctors.

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South Westland Area Practice – Franz Josef Clinic

The staff at Franz Josef Glacier Clinic are full-time rural nurse specialists providing everyday care for the Franz Josef community. They also hold regular GP clinics with visiting doctors.

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South Westland Area Practice – Haast Clinic

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South Westland Area Practice – Hari Hari Clinic

At Hari Hari Clinic full-time rural nurse specialists provide everyday care for their community and visiting doctors hold regular GP clinics.

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South Westland Area Practice – Whataroa Clinic

At Whataroa Clinic full-time rural nurse specialists provide everyday care for the Whataroa community. The clinic also holds regular GP clinics with visiting doctors.

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Page last updated: 5 May 2021

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