Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast reduces visitor restrictions

Friday 16 September 2022Health news5 minutes to read

From today, some visitor restrictions at all Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast health facilities have been relaxed while others remain in place.

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.

Dr Graham Roper, Te Whatu Ora West Coast’s Chief Medical Officer says that in response to the removal of the COVID-19 protection framework, we are relaxing some of our visitor restrictions. However, it’s very important that we continue to protect the lives of the vulnerable in our communities.

“From today, patients in single rooms may have more than one visitor, however, patients in multi-bed rooms can have one visitor only per patient to ensure there is no overcrowding. It’s also still really important that you wear a mask while inside any of our facilities and if you are unwell please avoid visiting friends and whānau in hospital,” Dr Roper says.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support while our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community. Although COVID-19 case numbers have dropped substantially, some people will still be carrying COVID-19 or the flu without showing any symptoms making it possible for them to infect staff and patients when visiting any of our facilities.

“You can still do your bit to help by continuing to follow the usual public health measures. This means stay home if you’re unwell, get tested if you’re symptomatic, wash and dry your hands, cover coughs and sneezes, wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities, and make sure your vaccinations are all up-to-date.”

Visitor guidelines

• 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, however, 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Visiting hours remain the same except for Buller Health’s Foote Ward.

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).

Full details of the new visitors’ rules are available on our website.

A reminder to everyone that you can pick up supplies of free RATs from community collection points. There is no criteria. You don’t need to be unwell or have symptoms to get free RATs.

Wherever possible please order online at https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz/ or by calling 0800 222 478 between 8am – 8pm (7 days).

You can find your nearest community collection point here

COVID-19 vaccinations still available

COVID-19 vaccinations including boosters which provide an extra layer of protection to previous vaccinations remain available.

Vaccinations help your immunity be stronger and last longer so even if you have had COVID-19 you are encouraged to stay up to date with your vaccinations – including boosters. If it has been six months since your first booster dose, and you have not had COVID-19 in the last 3 months, you are eligible for your second booster now.

You can get you COVID-19 vaccinations at Buller Medical and Coast Medical in Westport, at our Te Nīkau Hospital campus Community Services building and at Olsens in Greymouth, and at the Westland Medical Centre and Westland Pharmacy in Hokitika. More information is available online – Home – Vaccinate Canterbury and West Coast (vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz)

You can make a booking online: https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ or by phoning 0800 28 29 26 (8am – 8pm, 7 days a week).

It’s also a good time to ensure your other vaccinations such MMR (measles) are up to date. Your family doctor can help, and many vaccinations can be done at your local pharmacy.

ENDS

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