In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase in locally acquired COVID cases in NSW, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has implemented tighter restrictions on visiting hospital patients.
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ISLHD Chief Executive, Margot Mains said it is crucial that we remain vigilant in our response to COVID-19 and the preventative measures we put in place.
"Limiting the number of people we have coming in and out of our facilities is an important part of keeping our patients, staff and community safe from the spread of COVID," Ms Mains said.
"Visitor restrictions will be constantly reviewed as we move through this pandemic and we will make further changes, as required, in order to keep everyone as safe as possible," she said.
From now, only one visitor is permitted at any one time for each patient.
Visiting hours have not changed at this stage and are from 10:am to 1:pm and 3:pm to 7:pm.
Children of a patient - aged under 16 - may be allowed to visit, if permitted by the nurse in charge.
The child must be supervised by the adult visitor at all times.
Specified exemptions to visiting hours and restrictions
The nurse in charge may permit longer visiting hours in the circumstances outlined below:
Paediatric and Neonatal
Children can have both parents/carers at any time with no restrictions on the length of visit.
End of life
Where a patient is receiving end of life care, visitors will be limited only to the extent required to minimise any risk.
Maternity and Birthing
During labour and birth, mothers are able to be supported by up to two people.
Postnatal, the partner/support person can visit for unrestricted time periods between 8am and 8pm.
Additionally up to two visitors at any one time are able to be present (inclusive of the partner/support person) during general hospital visiting hours from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm.
Visits to COVID-19 patients
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 can NOT be visited unless approved by the Hospital General Manager, COVID Ward Operations Manager or their after-hours delegate.
COVID-19 visitor screening and temperature taking at the entrance of hospitals will continue. When visiting the hospital please remember that physical distancing rules
apply at all times. Stay 1.5 metres apart from anyone you encounter in the hospital.
A reminder also that you should not be visiting patients in hospital if you are unwell or have been tested for COVID and are awaiting results.
Please visit the Local Health District's website, www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au, for more information:
www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au
