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

Your health

  1. Home
  2. Your health

A warm up plan for rugby players

ACC RugbySmart’s “RUGBY WARM-UPS” is a complete warm-up programme to reduce injuries among male and female rugby... read more about A warm up plan for rugby players»

A warm up plan to go the distance

Athletes who warm up will become fitter, faster and stronger. This ACC SportSmart video demonstrates an effective warm... read more about A warm up plan to go the distance»

ACC is there to help. Find out how

ACC's National Serious Injury Service specialises in helping people to return to their everyday lives after serious... read more about ACC is there to help. Find out how»

Add five ways to wellbeing into your day

​Whether the going is good or times are tough, research has shown that five key actions can make a real difference to... read more about Add five ways to wellbeing into your day»

Advice for smokers who don’t want to harm their children

Children with parents who smoke are much more likely to get sick, be admitted to hospital, and start smoking when they... read more about Advice for smokers who don’t want to harm their children»

Alchohol and drugs: are they really that dangerous?

Some drugs are more harmful than others, but it can be hard to know what the real deal is. NZ Drug Foundation has a... read more about Alchohol and drugs: are they really that dangerous?»

Are your medicines right for you? How to find out

When taken correctly with regular reviews by your doctor, medications can improve your health and prolong your life.... read more about Are your medicines right for you? How to find out»

Asthma in children

Children with asthma can usually do the same things their friends do, as long as you manage the condition properly.... read more about Asthma in children»

Avoiding everyday injuries

Be the best motorcyclist you can be Ride Forever is a great resource for motorcyclists. It has valuable information for... read more about Avoiding everyday injuries»

Tags

Be the best motorcyclist you can be

Ride Forever is a great resource for motorcyclists. It has valuable information for beginners and veterans about... read more about Be the best motorcyclist you can be»

Being healthy from birth through the teen years

A list of KidsHealth articles and resources on all sorts of children’s health topics, from infant feeding, to... read more about Being healthy from birth through the teen years»

Buller Men’s health & wellbeing: Adapting Positively to a Changed Reality

... read more about Buller Men’s health & wellbeing: Adapting Positively to a Changed Reality»

Tags

Can I get cheaper healthcare or free healthcare?

Some healthcare services in New Zealand are free or subsidised by the government for New Zealand citizens and... read more about Can I get cheaper healthcare or free healthcare?»

Tags

Carers: Where to find more info

A list of useful websites with information for carers, as well as a list of service providers and support... read more about Carers: Where to find more info»

Children’s health

When to call 111: Danger signs in babies and children Get help quickly from a doctor or phone 111 if your baby or young... read more about Children’s health»

Tags

Community Māori health providers

Information about different Māori health providers around Canterbury and the services they... read more about Community Māori health providers»

Community Services Card = cheaper GP fees

Many general practices charge lower fees if you have a Community Services Card (CSC). If you have a CSC, the most you... read more about Community Services Card = cheaper GP fees»

Concussion, or just a whack to the head?

Learn to recognise the signs of concussion and what to do if you or someone else gets an injury to the brain with this... read more about Concussion, or just a whack to the head?»

Condoms? Vasectomy? Options for healthy sex and contraception

There are a few options for men’s contraception and sexual health, and some are better than others depending on your... read more about Condoms? Vasectomy? Options for healthy sex and contraception»

COVID-19

... read more about COVID-19»

Tags

COVID-19 – West Coast vaccinations and clinics

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Clinics COVID-19 vaccinations on the West Coast continue to be offered through General... read more about COVID-19 – West Coast vaccinations and clinics»

Depression: It’s not just “feeling sad”

Depression is an illness like any other: it’s not your fault if you have depression, and there are proven effective... read more about Depression: It’s not just “feeling sad”»

Depression: You don’t have to tough it out

Depression and anxiety can happen to anybody, but men are less likely to reach out for help. Healthinfo has a... read more about Depression: You don’t have to tough it out»

Did you know there are Māori health teams in hospital services?

Find out about your options for Māori health services at Community & Public Health, the National Breast & Cervical... read more about Did you know there are Māori health teams in hospital services?»

Do I need braces? And other questions for teenage teeth

Find out more information from Healthy Smiles about crooked teeth, tooth whitening, tongue piercings, smoking,... read more about Do I need braces? And other questions for teenage teeth»

Do the drugs work? Or do they make it worse?

A lot of different medications can be used to improve mental health, and they can have different effects on you.... read more about Do the drugs work? Or do they make it worse?»

Don’t let injuries ruin your rugby season

There’s nothing worse than copping an injury in an early game and sitting on the sideline for the rest of the season.... read more about Don’t let injuries ruin your rugby season»

Eight of the most common ways kids get injured

Childhood injuries are common. Thankfully most of these are minor. But every year in New Zealand children are badly... read more about Eight of the most common ways kids get injured»

Everyday activities can be hard. Here’s how to keep going

It can often be good for you, both physically and psychologically, to keep doing everyday activities. These tips may... read more about Everyday activities can be hard. Here’s how to keep going»

Falls prevention – Nymbl app

Keep your balance in check so you can keep doing the things you love with ACC’s free balance exercise app, Nymbl.... read more about Falls prevention – Nymbl app»

Tags

Fatigue: It’s not just ‘being tired at work’

Fatigue is a real issue in industries that rely on workers being mentally and physically alert. Fatigue reduces a... read more about Fatigue: It’s not just ‘being tired at work’»

Feeling down on the farm

Farming can be a hard and isolating industry, with a history of associated depression and mental health issues. The... read more about Feeling down on the farm»

Find and enrol at a medical practice, clinic or health centre

This page lists West Coast Medical Practices available on the West Coast. You can from here quickly navigate to those... read more about Find and enrol at a medical practice, clinic or health centre»

Tags

Find support to stay healthy and live comfortably

The Ministry of Health and district health boards fund several services for older people to help support us as we... read more about Find support to stay healthy and live comfortably»

Five steps to protect your child’s smile

Looking after your child’s baby teeth can help ensure their adult teeth come through healthy and strong. The Ministry... read more about Five steps to protect your child’s smile»

Free hearing checks

The Ministry of Health funds free hearing checks for children. If your child has a hearing loss, finding it early is... read more about Free hearing checks»

Free stress and wellbeing training courses in Buller

... read more about Free stress and wellbeing training courses in Buller»

Tags

Fussy kids? Here’s how to get them eating

As the saying goes, you can sit a child at the table, but you can’t force them to eat. But you can encourage fussy or... read more about Fussy kids? Here’s how to get them eating»

Gear Up Against Legionella

Cases of Legionnaires’ disease typically increase during the months of September, October and November during... read more about Gear Up Against Legionella»

Tags

Get a great night’s sleep, here’s how…

We’ve got some tips to help you get a good, refreshing night’s sleep as often as you can. Good sleep habits will... read more about Get a great night’s sleep, here’s how…»

Showing 1-40 of 130 results, page 1 of 4.

Page last updated: 17 April 2019

Is this page useful?