This means that patients who know in advance they are going to have to stay overnight must bring all items they will need for the duration of their stay. They will need to bring appropriate sleepwear, suitable indoor footwear, and items that would usually be brought by visitors, such as books, magazines, puzzles and packaged snacks that don’t need to be kept in the fridge.
Because they can’t have visitors, people should also bring mobile phones and/or tablets if they can, to enable them to connect with family/whānau and friends remotely – free WiFi is available for patients to use.
To those whānau members who would normally visit their family member at the health facility
We are sorry that we have to restrict visiting, but this necessary measure is to protect you and the vulnerable people already in the facility from the spread of COVID-19.
We understand it will be difficult for you to be unable to provide the support you normally would, but please be assured people are being well cared for and we will do our best to help you keep up-to-date and in touch.
Your Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre visit is arranged by your general practitioner or a specialist.
The Arranged Admitting Office will give you an appointment time, a questionnaire for your anaesthetic (if you are having surgery), and an admission form. Please complete these forms before your appointment.
You can be admitted for:
The Central Booking Unit (CBU) organises your visits for specialist consultations and operations. After your doctor refers you to a specialist, a CBU booking clerk will send you a letter when an appointment time is available.
To confirm an appointment, or if you have any questions, call the CBU confirmation line on (03) 769 7555.
You will have a consultation with a specialist, who will discuss some of the following options with you:
If you need to cancel or postpone your surgery or appointment because you are unwell, please call the phone number on your appointment letter as soon as possible and let the department know.
Due to emergencies we sometimes need to postpone bookings at short notice. It may be necessary to postpone your surgery even after you have been admitted for hospital care. We will book your surgery into the next available time slot.
You can help your own recovery by learning about your condition on our HealthInfo West Coast website.
The main reception area at Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre is available 24 hours a day. (Please note: If you are looking for additional information about Buller Health visit our Buller Health facility page). For security after-hours access to the facility is via main entrances. If the main doors don’t automatically open, please use the telephone on the wall and call “O” for operator assistance. If you need help finding your way, the main reception is a very good place to start.
If you have been using Meals on Wheels, home help or District Nursing services please contact the service before you come into Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre.
If you have a disability and you are likely to require extra help during your hospital admission or at your Outpatient appointment, please plan your visit. We suggest you telephone prior to your arrival and ask to speak to the relevant service so that you and staff can plan for your individual needs.
If you require assistance with hearing, sight or other disabilities, please talk to your nurse.
For Hearing-impaired patients there are faxes located in each unit and these are available for hearing the hearing-impaired patient’s to assist communication with friends and family/whanau. There is also access to interpreters for the hearing-impaired and the West Coast District Health Board has communication cards available to assist.
If you have visual impairment, please tell a staff member so information given to you will be suitable for your needs.
Disabled people using appropriately certified canines as aides have access to hospital facilities.
Wheelchairs
Are located at all the main entrances to all hospitals, if you need a wheelchair and none are available, please ask the receptionist at the main desk. All entrances are wheelchair accessible via a ramped walkway, which has a graduated gradient, as well as landing and handrails on both sides.
Accessibility toilets
There are toilets and showers in the ward and at Outpatients that have wheelchair access.
Please do not bring any valuables into the health facility unless absolutely necessary (including valuable items of clothing). If necessary, we can store valuables and money in a locked cupboard or deposit them in the facility’s safe. Any personal belongings you bring to Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre are at your own risk, and West Coast DHB does not accept any responsibility for safeguarding any personal items that you bring into the building.
Please note: cell phones interfere with medical equipment at close range. Please turn off your phone within 1 metre of medical equipment.
The Emergency Department is for serious emergencies only, not for long-standing or minor injuries or illnesses which can be treated by your family general practice team [link to info page]. You can phone your local clinic at any time and talk to a registered nurse for advice.
Free public Wi-Fi internet access is available in West Coast DHB hospitals and facilities.
For more information read our Wi-Fi FAQs below
Full instructions to access free Wi-Fi will be provided via a number of different ways including this website. The service will be reliable as it is delivered over high-speed fibre infrastructure. However, priority will be given to clinical data.
West Coast DHB provides the infrastructure and 2degrees provides the internet feed.
Patient mail is delivered to the wards daily. You can buy stamps at the cafeteria. There is a post box in the foyer at the main entrance.
Newspapers are available in an honesty box in the foyer.
There are TVs in most lounge areas. If you use a TV or radio in your ward room, please check if it is OK with other patients first, or use earphones.
For safety reasons, an electrician must check all privately owned electronic appliances (such as TVs, radios, hairdryers) before use in the facility. Local electrical shops can check appliances and provide a certificate.
Page last updated: 31 July 2020
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