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 DHB appoints construction contractor for the new Buller Health facility

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Thursday 6 May 2021Facilities News2 minutes to read

MEDIA RELEASE

6 May 2021

West Coast DHB appoints construction contractor for the new Buller Health facility

West Coast DHB has finalised the appointment of the contractor who will undertake the main contract work for the new Buller Health facility.

West Coast DHB’s Chief Executive Dr Peter Bramley says that after a thorough contractor evaluation process, the DHB has engaged Scott Construction Limited, a Nelson-based company with over 50 years’ experience in the construction industry.

“We are looking forward to the next stage of the Buller Health redevelopment project getting underway. At this stage, construction work on the new facility is expected to commence in late-May. We are working with the contractor to firm up the construction programme which will include confirming the expected completion timeframes.”

West Coast DHB’s Board Chair Rick Barker says the appointment of a contractor for the new Buller Health facility is a clear statement of the Board’s commitment to the people of Buller as it will provide a truly integrated health service for the region.

DHB Board member Anita Halsall-Quinlan says it’s an exciting time for everyone as it’s been a long time coming after the culmination of a lot of work over a long period of time.

The 12-bed 2,360m2 facility has been designed to support an integrated model of care and will house a range of services including general practice, inpatients, primary birthing and postnatal care, palliative care, urgent care and child/community dental services. The DHB’s community services, Hauora Māori service and mental health services will also be located within the Buller Health facility.

Clinical services will be supported by radiology and laboratory support services on the same site. The co-location of services will facilitate a collaborative approach to providing health care services, with a focus on improving the patient experience.

The current floor plans are available on our website – Buller Health floorplan and you can also view the 3D video of the new Buller Health facility online – 3D video.

ENDS

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Page last updated: 6 May 2021

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