Hospital Covid, flu policies tightened
As a wave of Covid-19 and flu continues to spread through the country, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury has introduced changes to its hospital and health centre visitor policy to ‘‘ease pressure on the health system and protect vulnerable patients’’.
The temporary changes take effect at all the district’s hospitals and health centres from this morning.
Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury said in a statement yesterday that there had been a significant increase in Covid-19 cases on top of other respiratory illnesses over the past two weeks.
This has resulted in a larger proportion of New Zealand’s population and health workforce being unwell or having to look after wha¯ nau at home.
‘‘While this isn’t unexpected in winter, we are seeing a far greater impact, earlier than usual, across hospitals and primary care,’’ the statement said.
The incident management controller for the Omicron outbreak, Becky Hickmott, said visitor restrictions were being tightened and a ‘‘no mask, no entry’’ policy was being enforced to protect vulnerable patients.
‘‘Children and young people under the age of 16 will not be allowed into Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury facilities, unless the visit is prearranged on compassionate grounds. This is because medical masks are less likely to fit under 16s well and children are less likely to be able to wear them correctly for the duration of a visit.
‘‘Anyone who looks like they might be under 16, but isn’t, should bring some photo ID with them as proof of age,’’ she said.
Visitors will need to mask up at all times while inside any of the care facilities, and each patient will only be allowed one visitor over the age of 16.
Visiting hours for Christchurch Hospital are also being reduced to between 3pm and 8pm to allow patients more time to rest and recover and ease pressure on health workers.
Entry to Canterbury hospitals and health centres will be via main entrances only.
‘‘Given we expect sustained pressure on health services to continue throughout winter, it will help if everyone does their bit to help us get through the cooler months. Our best protection this winter is to be up to date with influenza and Covid-19 vaccinations, which can help reduce the need for hospitalisation, along with the other precautions,’’ Hickmott said.