Visiting Hours

Restrictions due to COVID-19

Due to recent outbreaks in the Greater Sydney area, we will be making some changes to adhere to the NSW Health Public Order.

Greater Sydney, including Central Coast, Wollongong, Blue Mountains and Shellharbour local government areas remain on RED ALERT - HIGH TRANSMISSION RISK and Regional NSW remains on AMBER ALERT-MODERATE TRANSMISSION RISK.

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.

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

We support family and friends visiting but do ask that all visitors observe visiting hours and respect the privacy of our patients.

During COVID-19 we have reduced our visitation policy to;

• Visiting hours are from 10am-6pm Mon-Fri and 10am-2pm Sat-Sun
• Patients may have TWO visitors per patient within a 24 hr period (exceptions on a case-by-case basis e.g. end of life approved by the hospital executive that is to be reviewed every 48 hours)
• A maximum of two children under 16yrs are permitted to visit accompanied by one adult visitor.
• Staff, visitors or patients are required to wear face masks when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Visitors under 12 are not required to wear a mask
• 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 their temperature. If their temperature is over 37.5°C they are not permitted to enter the hospital.
• Admission to the site remains subject to QR code access or manual recording of details. Visitors with smartphones can complete pre-screening questions before arrival, then show your completed screen at the reception desk - https://screen.healthe.care/ma...
• Patients and visitors who reside or work in identified hot spots are restricted from visiting all NSW Hospitals sites.
• Any exception will need to be discussed with the Hospital executive (e.g. in the case of an emergency or where treatment or care should not be delayed). We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate COVID-19.

Thank you for helping us keep you and your loved ones safe and well.

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.