He paronga ma te hunga toro mai me te hunga tautawhi – Information for visitors and support people
West Coast DHB is easing its visitor policy in recognition of the fact we have passed the peak of the current Omicron outbreak and case numbers are slowly reducing.
The following visitor restrictions are in place for the West Coast DHB hospital (Te Nīkau) and other health facilities:
By adhering to these conditions, you help keep our patients, staff, other visitors and yourself safe. We 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.
An exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to permitted visitors.
The Exemptions Team at the Ministry of Health is now responsible for processing requests for Face Covering Communication Cards.
Updated information about mask wearing, and how to request an exemption card can now be found here. People unable to request an exemption card online can call 0800 28 29 26 and select option 2, or text 8988.
Visitors are welcome at our Aged Care Residential facilities. One visitor per patient at a time – except where a child over 12 is being accompanied by an adult. All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and must wear a surgical mask.
PeaBerry Café
Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre
Open: 8.00am – 4.00pm
Food and drinks are currently being served in takeaway containers only.
Visiting hours remain unchanged.
Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre – updated 17 May 2022
Children's Ward | 8:00am - 8:00pm |
Critical Care Unit | 10:00am - 01:00pm 03:00pm - 08:00pm |
General Ward | 10:00am - 02:00pm 04:00pm - 08:00pm |
Maternity Ward | Under traffic light ORANGE – no visitors except for two named support people |
Manaakitanga Mental Health Unit | 02:00pm - 08:00pm |
Buller Health Centre – updated 17 May 2022
Foote Ward | 10:00am-02:00pm 03:30pm-08:00pm |
Kawatiri Maternity | Under traffic light ORANGE – no visitors except for two named support people |
Each ward has patient phones. If you want to phone a patient, call the health facility and ask to be transferred to the correct ward. Ward staff will take a portable phone to the patient if they are able to take your call.
Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre administration desk: 03 769 7400 extension 0
Please don’t put our patients at risk. Stay away if you have an infection, a runny noses, cold or flu-like illness. Please stay away from the facility for three weeks if you have been near someone with a contagious disease such as chicken pox or measles.
Please show consideration and respect for all patients and staff caring for them. This will help us deliver the best patient care for everyone in a shared environment.
Leave quickly and quietly if requested by staff – you could be asked to leave for treatment or safety reasons, or if you are causing a disturbance.
For the safety of our patients, we require all visitors and key support people to clean their hands with soap and water and dry thoroughly or use hand gel when entering or leaving the ward and patients room. Hand gel found at the facility’s entrance and at the ward door.
Fifteen minutes may feel short to you, but it can be a long time for a patient. Consider saving longer visits for when your family member or friend returns home.
If another visitor arrives, consider leaving. It can be overwhelming for the patient to be surrounded by visitors. We suggest two at a time.
Always ask a nurse before bringing food or drink to the ward, there may be reasons why the patient cannot have it.
Many patients find it hard to eat when they have visitors. Unless they need help, consider leaving or going for a walk when the meal arrives. They may be too embarrassed or too shy to ask you to go.
Sit down so you are at eye level when you talk. Talk to, not over the patient.
Speak quietly and clearly. Lower your tone; do not raise your voice if you think you are not being heard clearly.
Watch your children at all times and make sure their actions are respectful of the safety, comfort and privacy of all patients, visitors and staff. Consider bringing something to keep them occupied if you intend to stay for more than a few minutes.
Family can visit patients who are seriously ill at any time with the approval of the nurse in charge. If your friend or family member is unwell, or English is not their first language, you may be able to stay with them. However, we encourage visitors to keep to visiting hours as much as possible, to give patients time to rest.
If family members are likely to be away from home, it is important to leave contact telephone numbers with the ward staff.
Flowers are beautiful, but too many flowers at the bedside can get in the way of staff caring for a patient. Flowers are not allowed in ICU (intensive care) because they can cause infections.
Staff will deliver flowers as soon as they arrive.
All staff, patients, and visitors have the right to be in a safe environment. Visitors are asked to:
Please do not be offended if we ask why you are visiting the facility. Staff might question you if you are on site out of normal visiting hours, or in an area not usually used by members of the public.
You will have to leave the facility if:
Consider how you can help when your family member or friend goes home. Visiting them at home is often even more appreciated and useful than visiting while receiving care at the health facility.
These visitors need permission to access West Coast DHB facilities.
Media visiting West Coast DHB facilities can find information on our Media Guide page.
Page last updated: 17 May 2022
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