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COVID-19: Restricted visiting Waikato DHB hospitals

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COVID-19: Restricted visiting for all Waikato DHB Hospitals 

Waikato District Health Board acknowledges the important and beneficial role whānau play in supporting patients staying in hospital or coming for an appointment.


To help keep our patients, staff and community safe we are continuing to restrict visitors at our sites from today (30 November, 2021) until further notice.


Please note, the policy for hospital sites needs to be looked at independently of the current national/regional alert or traffic light level as community spread of the virus continues.


The primary purpose of our policy is to reduce risk of infection in our hospitals and to keep our most vulnerable people safe. With this in mind, masks must be worn at all times at all of our DHB sites. Mask exemptions are not permitted at DHB sites as we must prioritise the safety of our patients.

At this time only key support people or caregivers are allowed:

  • A key support person may be supported 24/7 in the following areas:
    • Delivery Suite
    • Emergency Department
    • Women’s Assessment Unit
    • Paediatrics
    • Intensive Care Unit
  • One key support person per patient will be allowed in the inpatient wards during normal visiting hours only (11am – 1.30pm and 4pm – 8pm daily)

  • All key support people are required to:
    • Wear a mask at all times
    • Use hand sanitiser on entry and exit from our facilities
    • Maintain physical distancing

A key support person is someone who has been identified by the patient to provide emotional and/or practical support to that individual during their stay.

Patients attending outpatient clinics who wish to bring a key support person should liaise with the clinic prior to arrival.

For any areas which have known COVID-19 positive patients, a key support person would be unlikely to be admitted. Please contact the Charge Nurse Manager in advance.

Visitors

  • No casual visiting can be accommodated at this time
  • No children under the age of 12 can be accommodated at this time
  • Hospitals will continue to have restricted entry points to support screening

Some exceptions to our current no visitor policy may be possible on essential or compassionate grounds, and must be approved by the charge nurse manager, charge midwife manager or, out of hours, the duty nurse manager.