HOSPITAL VISITING

All hospital visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask. For more information about visiting: Visitors and family. See our COVID-19 page for general COVID-19 advice, detailed hospital visiting guidelines and COVID-19 tests.

See West Coast COVID-19 vaccination clinics for info on vaccinations link COVID-19 Vaccination • West Coast • Healthpoint

Last updated:
16 September 2022

Fewer visitor restrictions now apply

For visitors to all facilities (effective from and last updated on 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 news

Read the latest Health NZ West Coast health news, media releases, and current health alerts for the West Coast region. Our West Coast Pānui is also available online.​ Our Communications team are also available to assist with media enquiries.

329 news items.

CE Update

CE Update – 21 December 2018

Friday 21 December 2018Quick Read

West Coast DHB's own newsletter. In this December issue: A Thank You message from CE David Meates West Coast DHB staff... read more about CE Update – 21 December 2018»

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CE Update

CE Update – 12 November 2018

Monday 12 November 2018Quick Read

Articles in this update include: West Coast DHB tests emergency readiness South Island Rural Workforce Workshop Read... read more about CE Update – 12 November 2018»

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Media release

Buller Health staff affected by MRSA

Friday 14 September 2018Quick Read

Clinical staff who usually work in Foote Ward, Buller Health have been affected by MRSA – Methicillin-Resistant... read more about Buller Health staff affected by MRSA»

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CE Update

CE Update – 9 August 2018

Thursday 9 August 2018Quick Read

Articles in this update include: There's still time to protect yourself against the flu (David Meates, CE) Building a... read more about CE Update – 9 August 2018»

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Media release

West Coast DHB prepares for NZNO strike

Tuesday 10 July 2018Quick Read

New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants have voted to strike from 7am... read more about West Coast DHB prepares for NZNO strike»

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CE Update

CE Update – 6 June 2018

Wednesday 6 June 2018Quick Read

Articles in this update include: June is Men's Health Month (David Meates, CE) Coast representative joins RGPN board... read more about CE Update – 6 June 2018»

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Media release

Grey Base large pohutakawa pruning to take place

Tuesday 13 March 2018Quick Read

A tree expert has advised the West Coast DHB that the large pohutakawa on the north-eastern side of the Corporate block... read more about Grey Base large pohutakawa pruning to take place»

Media release

Coast pertussis cases on the rise

Friday 9 March 2018Quick Read

Pregnant women and babies under one need to be vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough), Medical Officer of Health... read more about Coast pertussis cases on the rise»

Media release

Feedback helps mental health services plan

Friday 9 March 2018Quick Read

Feedback from people with experience of mental health or addictions is helping redesign local mental health services.... read more about Feedback helps mental health services plan»

Media release

Grey Base overbridge to close temporarily

Friday 23 February 2018Quick Read

The overbridge connecting the main street of Greymouth with the Grey Base Hospital will be closed for five days from... read more about Grey Base overbridge to close temporarily»

Media release

CPH nutritionist selected for leadership course

Monday 12 February 2018Quick Read

Greymouth-based Community and Public Health Nutrition Health Promoter Jade Winter has just been selected to attend a... read more about CPH nutritionist selected for leadership course»

Media release

DHB announces closure of Dunsford aged residential care facility

Friday 9 February 2018Quick Read

The West Coast District Health Board has today announced to staff that it intends to proceed with the closure of the... read more about DHB announces closure of Dunsford aged residential care facility»

Media release

Public health advice, including how to stay safe in the aftermath of flooding

Friday 2 February 2018Quick Read

The following advice is issued by Canterbury and West Coast Community and Public Health and applies to areas of the... read more about Public health advice, including how to stay safe in the aftermath of flooding»

Media release

Buller Health evacuating some palliative and aged residential care patients due to concerns over potential flooding

Thursday 1 February 2018Quick Read

West Coast District Health Board is evacuating nine patients from its Buller Health Facility due to concerns with... read more about Buller Health evacuating some palliative and aged residential care patients due to concerns over potential flooding»

Media release

Reefton experiences gastroenteritis outbreak

Friday 26 January 2018Quick Read

Over the past week a number of Reefton people have experienced diarrhoea and vomiting.  Tests have confirmed viral... read more about Reefton experiences gastroenteritis outbreak»

Media release

Independent assessment of O’Conor Home shows no concerns

Thursday 18 January 2018Quick Read

An independent audit has not identified any significant issues at Westport's aged residential care facility O'Conor... read more about Independent assessment of O’Conor Home shows no concerns»

Media release

Mental health and addiction service users’ feedback wanted

Wednesday 10 January 2018Quick Read

People with experience of mental health or addictions are being asked to provide the West Coast District Health Board... read more about Mental health and addiction service users’ feedback wanted»

Media release

Grey Base overbridge to close 8 January

Thursday 14 December 2017Quick Read

The overbridge connecting the main street of Greymouth with the Grey Base Hospital will be closed for 10 days from... read more about Grey Base overbridge to close 8 January»

Media release

DHB Focus on People documents quality initiatives

Wednesday 13 December 2017Quick Read

The West Coast District Health Board has published its annual “Quality Accounts” newspaper, “Focus on... read more about DHB Focus on People documents quality initiatives»

Media release

Be mindful of mumps

Thursday 23 November 2017Quick Read

While tests showed two suspected cases of mumps reported in the past few weeks on the West Coast were not actually... read more about Be mindful of mumps»

Media release

West Coast physio shortages result in changes

Tuesday 26 September 2017Quick Read

A national shortage of DHB-based physiotherapists means the West Coast DHB has had to implement temporary changes to... read more about West Coast physio shortages result in changes»

Media release

Mental health initiatives put together

Wednesday 6 September 2017Quick Read

A calendar of mental health and suicide prevention trainings, workshops and programmes is being published to mark this... read more about Mental health initiatives put together»

Media release

Community dementia service shifts to CCCN

Wednesday 23 August 2017Quick Read

Community Dementia Services will soon be managed through the Complex Clinical Care Network (CCCN), to better meet the... read more about Community dementia service shifts to CCCN»

Media release

Slight delays with Grey Medical Centre phones

Wednesday 2 August 2017Quick Read

Additional phone lines are being installed in the new combined Grey Medical Centre to alleviate current issues with... read more about Slight delays with Grey Medical Centre phones»

Media release

New West Coast DHB general manager appointed

Wednesday 2 August 2017Quick Read

Philip Wheble has this week been announced as the new general manager for the West Coast District Health Board. DHB... read more about New West Coast DHB general manager appointed»

Media release

Rural Academic GP to merge with Grey Medical Centre

Monday 12 June 2017Quick Read

In anticipation of the new Grey Integrated Family Health Centre opening next year, two of Greymouth's general practices... read more about Rural Academic GP to merge with Grey Medical Centre»

Media release

West Coast focuses on falls prevention in community

Tuesday 30 May 2017Quick Read

In an effort to reduce the number of falls experienced by people on the West Coast, a programme of community awareness... read more about West Coast focuses on falls prevention in community»

Media release

Patient wifi available at Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre

Thursday 18 May 2017Quick Read

Free public wifi internet access is now available at Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre (Note that the name... read more about Patient wifi available at Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre»

Media release

Increase in missed appointments concerns DHB

Wednesday 17 May 2017Quick Read

While some progress has been made with improvements to its processes, the West Coast DHB would still like to understand... read more about Increase in missed appointments concerns DHB»

Media release

DHB laundry services to change

Sunday 14 May 2017Quick Read

The West Coast DHB has confirmed that no staff will lose their jobs immediately as a result of the recent Laundry... read more about DHB laundry services to change»

Media release

DHB places temporary manager in Granger House

Thursday 23 March 2017Quick Read

The West Coast DHB has appointed a Temporary Manager at Greymouth's Granger House (incorporating Richard Seddon... read more about DHB places temporary manager in Granger House»

Media release

Kowhai Manor to close

Monday 27 February 2017Quick Read

Greymouth rest home Kowhai Manor will close by 31 March, as the Ministry of Health has withdrawn certification... read more about Kowhai Manor to close»

Media release

Sexual health advice still available on Coast

Monday 16 January 2017Quick Read

The West Coast District Health Boards wants to reassure patients that the Grey and Westport sexual health clinics... read more about Sexual health advice still available on Coast»

Media release

West Coast focuses on falls prevention

Thursday 10 November 2016Quick Read

The number of falls experienced by patients of the West Coast health system shows there is more preventative work to be... read more about West Coast focuses on falls prevention»

Media release

Take care when gardening!

Monday 10 October 2016Quick Read

West Coasters are being urged to follow some simple steps in order to avoid getting a serious illness linked to... read more about Take care when gardening!»

Media release

Grey Hospital patient and visitor parking limits imposed

Thursday 6 October 2016Quick Read

In an effort to ensure parks are available when patients and visitors need them, the West Coast DHB is now limiting... read more about Grey Hospital patient and visitor parking limits imposed»

Media release

West Coast Māori Health Plan approved

Thursday 25 August 2016Quick Read

The West Coast health system is doing well in its planning and implementation for Māori health, the Ministry of Health... read more about West Coast Māori Health Plan approved»

Media release

Safety concerns close hospital footbridge

Tuesday 23 August 2016Quick Read

A 140-year-old footbridge over railway lines linking Cowper St to the current Grey Base Hospital has been closed... read more about Safety concerns close hospital footbridge»

Media release

Connect with nature for wellbeing

Friday 19 August 2016Quick Read

How do you connect with nature?  And how does it make you feel? A Buller group organising an event from 10 – 16... read more about Connect with nature for wellbeing»

Showing 281-320 of 329 results, page 8 of 9.

Page last updated: 19 September 2022

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