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

NZNO nurses’ strike: Tuesday 3 December, 11am-7pm 

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Monday 25 November 2024Health news5 minutes to read

Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants (HCAs) who belong to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) union are planning to strike on Tuesday 3 December, from 11am to 7pm.

Our hospitals and healthcare services will continue to provide acute and emergency care throughout the strike with the help of other clinical staff. 

Anyone staying in hospital during this time will still receive the care and support they need.  

Please help by keeping our emergency departments for emergencies only.

Do not delay seeking help if you or someone else is in a serious or life-threatening condition.

We will continue to provide all our emergency services. If you have a medical emergency, or a sudden decline of your health, do not delay seeking help. Call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

Unfortunately, some appointments will need to be rescheduled. If you have an appointment booked for Tuesday 3 December and have not been contacted directly to have your appointment rescheduled, please come to your appointment as normal.

Our nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants (HCAs) are a highly valued part of our workforce and are committed to caring for our patients. We respect their right to take industrial action and know the decision to strike is a very difficult one. 

FAQs

Which services will continue to operate during the strike?

Our hospitals and healthcare services will remain open throughout the strike with the help of other clinical staff. Anyone staying in hospital during this time will still receive the care and support they need.

We will continue to provide all our emergency services. If you have a medical emergency, or sudden decline of your health, do not delay seeking help. Call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

If you have an appointment booked for Tuesday 3 December and you have not heard from us directly to have it rescheduled, please come to your appointment as normal.

Which services will be reduced during the strike?

On Tuesday 3 December we will reduce some inpatient and outpatient appointments, surgery, and treatments that can be safely deferred.

We have directly contacted any patients whose appointments may need to be rescheduled. We thank you for your understanding and patience if your appointment has been rescheduled.

If we have not contacted you directly to reschedule your appointment, please come to your appointment as normal.

Who will provide care during the strike?

Our hospital and healthcare services will continue to operate with the help of other clinical staff.

All hospitals have contingency plans in place to ensure that patients will receive safe and appropriate care during the strike. This includes maternity care, intensive care, emergency department care, and ambulance services.

How can I help support a friend or whānau during the strike?

Friends and family members can play an important role during the strike. Consider staggering visits to your loved one so they have companionship throughout the day. If you have a friend or family member in hospital on the day of the strike, talk to the charge nurse about what to expect and how you can help.

What should I do if I have an appointment on the day of the strike?

You should still come to your scheduled appointment unless you have been contacted directly by one of our hospital team to reschedule your appointment.

What if I need medical attention during the strike?

  • If you have a medical emergency, or sudden decline of your health, call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. Do not delay seeking help if you or someone else is in a serious or life-threatening condition.
  • For non-urgent medical advice or assistance, call Healthline for free anytime, day or night, on 0800 611 116. You can also visit www.healthline.govt.nz for more information.
  • For minor illnesses, talk to your pharmacist or make an appointment with your GP.
  • After-hours, if you live on or are visiting the West Coast and need health care, you can connect with Ka Ora Telecare by either calling 0800 252-672 or accessing their website kaora.co.nz to chat with a nurse/kaiawhina, or to get a virtual GP appointment.
  • Call Ka Ora for free advice (then, depending on your age and level of care needed, if you need to speak with a GP or Nurse Practitioner there may be a charge).
  • This service is available between 5pm to 8am on weeknights and 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays.
  • The Ka Ora team will refer you to the in-person service available in your area if you need it.

How will the strike affect maternity services?

We will continue to provide maternity care during the strike. Talk to your Lead Maternity Carer if you have questions or concerns.

Does the strike affect Aged Residential Care facilities, ambulances, or GPs?

Aged Residential Care facilities, Hato Hone St John and privately owned West Coast general practices are not affected by the strike and will operate as normal.

How do I find out more about the strike in my area?

To find out more on how the strike might affect your local healthcare services and for contact information, see your local Health NZ website.

–ENDS–

 

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Page last updated: 25 November 2024

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