Visitor restrictions

Visiting hours

You may visit a patient between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm.

Visitor restrictions

1. Do not visit if you think you might have a respiratory virus (COVID-19, influenza or a cold) or a tummy bug. You could place patients at risk of severe illness. Symptoms to look out for are fever, cough, sore throat, unexplained tiredness and body aches, runny nose, diarrhoea and nausea/vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms, do not visit. You could place patients at risk. 
2. No more than two visitors at any time. 
3. All visitors are encouraged to wear surgical facemasks. 
4. Visitors over the age of 12 years may be required to wear surgical facemasks. This depends on the level of risk, including the amount of COVID-19 and respiratory virus in the local community and the ward/person you are visiting. 

Exceptions to these restrictions can be discussed with the in-charge ward nurse. 

If you are approved to visit/provide patient support outside of visiting hours, please carry your written exemption with you.

We recommend children do not visit patients. Before bringing children to visit, please discuss this with the nurse in charge of the ward.

Rules for a visiting patient

1. Always wash your hands before entering and leaving each ward or service area.
2. No foods or drinks (other than water) to be consumed at the bedside
3. Always cover any coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your arm, then wash and dry your hands.
4. Be respectful to staff, other patients and other visitors
5. Aggressive or unruly behaviour will not be tolerated. If you are aggressive or unruly, we will not allow you to visit in the future.

Number of visitors

• You may be accompanied by a caregiver or support person if required however if you are independent and attending an appointment, it is recommended that the person bringing you does not attend the facility unless required.
• Two visitors per patient at any given time with no time limitations on the length of stay between the hours of 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
• Exceptions are listed below for certain wards and parts of the hospital.

Patient information shared with visitors

• Details of your illness is confidential. This means it is private.
• We will not share your personal information without you telling us it is OK. This is called giving consent.
• We may provide information to the person you tell us is your next-of-kin on your admission form.
• Next-of-kin may be your spouse, de facto partner, children or a blood relative like grandparent or sibling.

Other ways to keep in touch with a patient

• We understand that this is a very challenging time for everyone.
• You can use other ways to keep in touch like phone or text.
• You may ask the Nurse Unit Manager about a ‘compassionate exemption’ if the patient is critically unwell.
• This means we may allow you to visit under special rules.

How to call to ask about a patient

• You may call to ask about a patient between 9 am to 5 pm.
• Outside these hours, please try to not call unless it is for an urgent reason.
• The hospital phone number is 03 6166 8308.
• Please ask for the ward that the patient is in.
• To help our staff, please provide the name of one family member to be the main contact for information.

Supporting children as in-patients

• It is important to spend lots of time with your child in hospital.
• You can help your child by assisting the hospital team if they ask.
• Sometimes nurses may need to limit part of your visit during treatment. Thank you for helping us.