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

Outbreak of illness

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18 news items.

Featured – Health news

Catch up on your free vaccination to avoid catching measles

Tuesday 13 October 2020Quick Read

If you’re between 15 and 30 years old and haven’t had your MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, or you’re not... read more about Catch up on your free vaccination to avoid catching measles»

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Featured – Health news

West Coast DHB makes changes to visiting at its facilities following Alert level 2 announcement

Thursday 13 August 2020Quick Read

Please attribute comment to Dr Graham Roper, Medical Director – West Coast District Health Board Following New... read more about West Coast DHB makes changes to visiting at its facilities following Alert level 2 announcement»

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Featured – Health news

Restrictions remain in place during alert level three to protect the West Coast community

Thursday 30 April 2020Quick Read

West Coast DHB General Manager Philip Wheble today said that under alert level three, the West Coast Health System... read more about Restrictions remain in place during alert level three to protect the West Coast community»

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Featured – Health news

Updated visitor guidance under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 for West Coast DHB facilities

Thursday 30 April 2020Quick Read

As we settle into Alert Level 3, sticking to our bubble and staying home unless you need to go out is still our best... read more about Updated visitor guidance under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 for West Coast DHB facilities»

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Featured – Health news

Needing a prescription for your regular medicines?

Monday 20 April 2020

People needing regular ongoing prescriptions can be reassured these are still available by ringing their general... read more about Needing a prescription for your regular medicines?»

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Featured – Health news

Home and Community Support Workers continue to provide care during COVID-19 Alert Level 4

Monday 20 April 2020Quick Read

West Coast DHB’s Home and Community Support Services team has continued to provide support to clients across the... read more about Home and Community Support Workers continue to provide care during COVID-19 Alert Level 4»

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Featured – Health news

Fifth case of COVID-19 confirmed on the West Coast

Thursday 9 April 2020Quick Read

As announced by the Director-General of Health and Ministry of Health on 9 April, a fifth case of COVID-19 has been... read more about Fifth case of COVID-19 confirmed on the West Coast»

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Featured – Health news

Coasters can still access their general practice team for health care appointments

Wednesday 8 April 2020Quick Read

All West Coast general practices remain open for business during the current nationwide COVID-19 Alert Level 4.... read more about Coasters can still access their general practice team for health care appointments»

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Featured – Health news

Online form now available for expressions of interest to work in the health system

Monday 6 April 2020Quick Read

Canterbury and West Coast DHBs have made it easy for people to submit an expression of interest if they are not already... read more about Online form now available for expressions of interest to work in the health system»

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Featured – Facilities News

All Coast GP Practices have changed the way they are operating

Friday 27 March 2020Quick Read

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE All West Coast general practices have restricted access to clinics in response to the current... read more about All Coast GP Practices have changed the way they are operating»

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Featured – Health news

COVID-19 Alert Level Four – Updated hospital and clinic visitor policy

Friday 27 March 2020Quick Read

  Canterbury and West Coast DHBs Chief Executive David Meates has today announced further significant changes to... read more about COVID-19 Alert Level Four – Updated hospital and clinic visitor policy»

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Featured – Health news

First COVID-19 case confirmed on the West Coast

Thursday 26 March 2020Quick Read

As announced by the Director-General of Health and the Ministry of Health on 26 March a person on the West Coast has... read more about First COVID-19 case confirmed on the West Coast»

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Featured – Health news

Temporary changes to limit visitor numbers at West Coast DHB facilities have been implemented

Wednesday 25 March 2020Quick Read

West Coast DHB Medical Director Dr Graham Roper today announced significant temporary changes to the DHB’s visitor... read more about Temporary changes to limit visitor numbers at West Coast DHB facilities have been implemented»

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Featured – Health news

Measles Facts

Friday 6 September 2019Quick Read

With the large number of measles cases around the country, we can expect to see some measles cases on the Coast at some... read more about Measles Facts»

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Featured – Health news

Test results show cause of illness linked to an influenza outbreak – Media Release

Thursday 1 August 2019Quick Read

Please attribute to Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health Samples taken earlier this week to determine the cause of... read more about Test results show cause of illness linked to an influenza outbreak – Media Release»

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Featured – Health news

Recent outbreak of illness at Westport North School – Media Release

Tuesday 30 July 2019Quick Read

Please attribute to Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health The Community and Public Health division of West Coast... read more about Recent outbreak of illness at Westport North School – Media Release»

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Health news

Drive-through clinic targets Māori and other prioritised patients

Friday 3 April 2020Quick Read

Patients received medical care in their cars at a Poutini Waiora and Grey Medical Centre flu vaccination drive-through... read more about Drive-through clinic targets Māori and other prioritised patients»

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CE Update

CE Update – 27 March 2020

Friday 27 March 2020Quick Read

Articles in this update include: In this edition of the CE Update, Chief Executive David Meates provides an update on... read more about CE Update – 27 March 2020»

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Showing 1-18 of 18 results, page 1 of 1.

Page last updated: 13 October 2020

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