Visiting Hours

Restrictions due to 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 asking for your understanding that you consider not visiting the hospital unless you are an immediate family member or carer of the patient. The ongoing requirement for physical (social) distancing means that we will continue to limit the number of visitors to our facilities.

Each patient will be allowed two visitors at a time. Please note that the Government’s requirement for a minimum of 4 square metres per person in an indoor space and 1.5 metres social distancing means that the time limit for visitors is limited to two hours, and may have to be staggered.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our hospital communities Healthe Care has mandated the following Visitor Restrictions.

• Until 14 days have lapsed from returning or arriving from overseas (flight/cruise), interstate travel; AND/OR
• Have been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days; AND/OR
• Diagnosed with COVID-19 (unless no longer directed to be self-isolated); AND/OR
• Have a fever (even if mild) or respiratory illness like symptoms (a cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, tiredness and breathing difficulties); AND/OR
• A recent loss of the sense of smell? OR an altered sense of taste? you must follow the advice of the public health authorities AND

DO NOT ENTER THE HOSPITAL OR VISIT OUR PATIENTS FOR 14 DAYS

If you are unwell and require urgent medical attention you should contact your GP or call 000 for an ambulance (this will work even without phone credit).

Visiting Restrictions

• Visiting hours are restricted to two hours per day between the hours 11:00am - 12:00pm and 4:00pm - 5:00pm
• A maximum of two visitors are permitted to visit a patient (this includes our Day Oncology Units and Critical Care/Intensive Care Unit(ICU))
• For the Day Oncology Unit and Critical Care/ICU areas the duration period will be determined based on the gravity of the patient’s condition
• Visitors to the Maternity Ward are restricted to partners and one support person only during birth, with two visitors during the hospital's Visiting Hours (excluding children/siblings)
• Visitors to the Special Care Nursery are limited to partners only
• All visitors (including essential contractors or representatives) will be screened at entry to the hospital before access is granted to the hospital. This includes recording your temperature. If your temperature is over 37.5°C you are not permitted to enter the hospital
• Volunteers and other non-essential visitors will not be visiting our facility until further notice
• Visitors aged under 16 years are not allowed, other than for the purposes of end of life support for a patient.

Upon entry to the hospital and during your visit, please practice simple hygiene by:

• 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
• If you are asked to wear a surgical face mask, 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

We are also encouraging visitors to download the Australian Government’s COVIDSafe app, which is designed to provide early notification of possible exposure.

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