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

COVID-19 vaccinations

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7 news items.

Featured – Health news

West Coasters urged to ‘Have a safe-as summer’

Tuesday 20 December 2022

West Coasters are being urged to ‘Have a safe-as summer’ by planning ahead before the summer holidays begin... read more about West Coasters urged to ‘Have a safe-as summer’»

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Featured – Health news

Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast’s COVID-19 vaccination programme winds down with primary care continuing to lead on vaccinations

Wednesday 2 November 2022Quick Read

This week marks a milestone for Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast’s COVID-19 response as the COVID-19... read more about Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast’s COVID-19 vaccination programme winds down with primary care continuing to lead on vaccinations»

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Featured – Health news

Reporting your rapid antigen test result essential to getting the support you need

Tuesday 9 August 2022

With COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses continuing to circulate within the community, we’re reminding West... read more about Reporting your rapid antigen test result essential to getting the support you need»

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Featured – Health news

Second COVID-19 booster available from tomorrow

Monday 27 June 2022Quick Read

Please attribute to Philip Wheble, General Manager – West Coast DHB. From tomorrow, Tuesday 28 June 2022, a second... read more about Second COVID-19 booster available from tomorrow»

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Featured – Health news

Encourage your staff to get vaccinated today!

Wednesday 1 December 2021

Encouraging staff to get vaccinated has meant our team will be 100% double vaccinated by Christmas, says Westfleet... read more about Encourage your staff to get vaccinated today!»

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Featured – Health news

West Coast DHB calls on Coasters to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Super Saturday

Monday 11 October 2021

Please attribute the following to Philip Wheble, Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 response, West Coast DHB:... read more about West Coast DHB calls on Coasters to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Super Saturday»

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Featured – Health news

Buller community encouraged to book in for their free COVID-19 vaccinations

Tuesday 28 September 2021Quick Read

Please attribute the following to Philip Wheble, Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 response, West Coast DHB:... read more about Buller community encouraged to book in for their free COVID-19 vaccinations»

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Page last updated: 20 December 2022

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