The Canterbury DHB is updating its visitor policy across all facilities from Tuesday 19 April.

One adult visitor may be accompanied by no more than one child over the age of 12 per patient in the hospital at any given time, except where stated otherwise in the ‘exceptions’ section below.

No children under 12 and those 12 and over must be accompanied by an adult and wear a medical mask. Visitors or support people should not visit our facilities if they are unwell. Surgical/medical masks must be worn at all Canterbury DHB sites, unless eating or drinking or medically exempt, and will be provided if people don’t have them. Hand sanitiser stations are visible and must be used. Visitors are no longer required to scan or sign in, but they can if they want.

Visitor passes are no longer needed, nor is proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status (it was never required). For areas where patients are particularly vulnerable, you may be asked to take a supervised RAT that shows a negative result before you may visit.

Exceptions to the ‘one visitor’ policy

Exceptions can apply in some circumstances (ie more than one visitor) where a trusted family member provides assistance, reassurance and other support for therapeutic care or on compassionate grounds.

People attending Christchurch ED or Ashburton AAU can have one support person with them. Women in labour and in the birthing suite can have two support people, and women on the Maternity Ward are allowed one support person for the duration of their stay in facilities at Christchurch Women’s Hospital.

Only one support person can be with each woman in the maternity ward, and one support person for maternity clinic appointments, no children are allowed to visit.

Parents/caregivers can be with their baby in NICU.

Parents/caregivers are able to be with their child in hospital (Except Children’s Haematology and Oncology Day patients where only one parent or caregiver is permitted, following a supervised negative RAT result)

Children who are inpatients, one other visitor (other than a parent or caregiver) is able to visit in consultation with the nurse in charge.

People requiring support when attending an appointment can have one support person. Please let the relevant service know if you need this so they are able to accommodate your request.

Exceptions for people with disabilities

An exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to the one permitted visitor.

Canterbury DHB-operated Aged Residential Care facilities

Visitors are welcome at the Tuarangi facility in Ashburton and at the Aged Care Facility within Kaikoura Health, One visitor per patient at a time – except where a child over 12 is being accompanied by an adult. All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and must wear a medical mask.

Christchurch Hospital

Most entrances to Christchurch Hospital will be closed and the only entrances open will be ED and Waipapa Main Entrance, Christchurch Women’s Entrance and the main Christchurch Hospital entrance (under the canopies).

Visiting hours are from 11am – 8pm daily.

One visitor per patient at a time – except where a child over 12 is being accompanied by an adult. Everyone must wear a medical mask unless exempt on medical grounds. Visitor passes are no longer required at Christchurch Hospital.

Parents/caregivers are able to be with their child in hospital (except Children’s Haematology and Oncology Day patients where only one parent or caregiver is permitted at a time, following a supervised negative RAT result).

Children who are inpatients can have one other visitor (other than a parent or caregiver) who is able to visit with permission from the nurse in charge.