Visiting Hours

Guidance regarding 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 continue to thank our patients, staff and their loved ones for their continued understanding during this ongoing evolving situation and support us as we work to continue to keep our staff and patients safe. In line with NSW Health guidance and infection control and patient quality safety measures please note the following:

Current Guidelines

• Antenatal Services: Women may be accompanied by one support person at appointments, no children.
• Birthing Suite: Women may nominate a support person for labour in addition to partners, who will be screened by staff before entering the birthing suite. No other family or support people will be admitted.
• Maternity Ward: The primary partner may have unrestricted visiting. An additional visitor may visit during the nominated visiting times, 10am to 12pm and 6pm - 8pm daily.
• If a family intends to have a support person who is a birth professional (eg. Doula) in attendance. Please inform Maternity team immediately so the best practice guidelines can be provided, reviewed and signed prior to arrival. These are available here.

No other visitors are permitted at our hospital.

Admission requirements:

The admission guidelines for maternity patients are as follows:

• All those who attend our facility for booking in appointments, planned caesareans and inductions are required to complete a PCR or RAT test prior to admission:
  • Vaccinated patients presenting for delivery: Must provide evidence of a negative PCR or RAT test completed within the 48 hours prior to admission*
  • Unvaccinated patients presenting for delivery: Must provide evidence of a negative PCR test completed within the 48 hours prior to admission*
• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are suffering from COVID-like symptoms, you must call the Birthing Suite on 4323 8169 and notify us prior to coming to the hospital
• All support persons accompanying maternity patients will need to provide evidence of a negative RAT within the 48 hours prior to admission

*We know that babies can present themselves at the most unexpected times. If you are booked in for your delivery, then find yourself needing to attend outside of normal hours a PCR or RAT can be arranged for you.

The current guidelines still apply:

• All patients are to supply and wear their own masks at all times whilst in the hospital.
• Mandatory COVID-19 screening is in place for all persons, prior to being granted entry to the premises.
• All visitors must show evidence of their vaccination certificate prior to entry.
• Masks are mandatory for all staff, VMOs, third parties, students, volunteers and patients outside their rooms.
• In the case of considerations for end of life care etc. Arrangements may be made to allow entry to unvaccinated visitors provided visitor wears appropriate PPE protection at the discretion of the CEO/DCS.
• Maintain appropriate hand hygiene and physical distancing practices (1.5m) with one person per 4 square metres
• Please visit NSW Health for all guidance around COVID-19 rules.
  
• All patients must undergo routine pre-admission screening for infectious diseases status. During the admission process, all patients must be temperature checked and COVID-19 screened.

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
• Wear a face mask at all times, and 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
• Mandatory COVID-19 screening is in place for all persons, prior to being granted entry to the premises.
  
• Temperature checking has been reinstated until further notice.
• No Visitors are permitted on site unless for essential reasons (end of life etc.)
  
• All visitors (including essential contractors or representatives) will be requested to complete screening via NSW Health Services QR Code.