Visiting Hours

Guidance regarding COVID-19

The World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic, meaning the virus is established on all continents (with the exception of Antarctica). We are continue to thank our patients, staff and their loved ones for their continued understanding during this ongoing evolving situation and support us as we work to continue to keep our staff and patients safe. In line with NSW Health guidance and infection control and patient quality safety measures please note the following:

Current Guidelines as of Wednesday 10 November 9am:

• Between the hours of 11am-12pm and 4pm-5pm two vaccinated visitors are allowed to visit a patient per day one at a time as long as a visitor:
  • Is at least 12 years of age
  • Has had two doses of a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine
  • Has evidence of their vaccination status when they enter the facility
  • Wears a surgical mask correctly on entry at the facility and for the duration of the visit (duration is one hour). Visitor numbers cannot exceed patient and staff numbers.
  • For Maternity Patients, this means they can have one extra vaccinated visitor in addition to their support person.

The current guidelines still apply:

• All Visitors are to supply and wear their own masks at all times whilst in the hospital.
• Mandatory COVID-19 screening is in place for all persons, prior to being granted entry to the premises.
• Temperature checking has been reinstated until further notice and all visitors must show evidence of their vaccination certificate prior to entry.
• Masks are mandatory for all staff, VMOs, third parties, students, volunteers and patients outside their rooms.
• In the case of considerations for end of life care etc. Arrangements may be made to allow entry to unvaccinated visitors provided visitor wears appropriate PPE protection at the discretion of the CEO/DCS.
• Paediatric patients <12 years of age are not required to wear a mask.
• No children visitors under 16 years are permitted to visit hospital including siblings.
• Maintain appropriate hand hygiene and physical distancing practices (1.5m) with one person per 4 square metres
• Please visit NSW Health for all guidance around COVID-19 rules.
• All patients must undergo routine pre-admission screening for infectious diseases status. During the admission process, all patients must be temperature checked and COVID-19 screened.

Please note for admissions:

• All patients arriving for booked admissions and outpatient appointments in high risk transmission LGA’s to continue to undertake a COVID-19 test 72 hours before arriving at the facility and provide evidence of their negative result on presentation.
• A person presenting urgently for clinical care who was unable to get tested before attending the hospital will undertake a Rapid Antigen Test if available or organise urgent PCR test so that urgent treatment can be provided with staff using appropriate precautions.

• Making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow AND

Practice physical (social) distancing by:

• Attempting to keep a distance of 1.5 metres (5 feet) between you and other people where possible. If you are required to move closer than 1.5 metres, ensure that the time does not exceed 15 minutes
• Avoid shaking hands, hugging, touching or kissing other people or sharing food
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
• Wear a face mask at all times, and after putting it on to cover your nose and mouth, do not touch the front of the mask and remove it using the ear loops or head straps
• Dispose of the used mask into a waste bin and perform hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol hand rub

If you are concerned please contact healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or the Public Health Unit for further information on 1300 066 055.

Pre-screening explained

The Healthe Care pre-screening QR code is compliant with NSW Health and NSW Services Check In system, as captures not just check information but also important health related pre-screening information to help keep our staff, patients and local community safe.

Save time on the day of your visit to the hospital, by completing our pre-screening questionnaire on your smart phone at screen.healthe.care/gosford or by scanning the QR code below:

Visiting Restrictions

The following guidelines apply:

All visitors must:

• Adhere to social distancing requirements (2sqm per person) and wear masks if social distancing is not possible.
• Sign in via the QR Code screening tool
• All patients are required to wear masks if tolerated outside their room
• All patients must undergo pre-admission screening including temperature checks