COVID -19: changes to our services

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement 

Visitor restrictions at our hospitals and other health facilities have now been lifted. We will no longer be screening people on arrival at our entrances. 

Our emergency departments and some high risk areas within our hospitals may continue to screen visitors in high risk areas.

• General visiting hours are now 10am-1pm and 3pm - 8.30pm
• Until September 2020, no visitors under the age of 5 will be allowed in our neonatal intensive care unit.  This includes siblings.
• Some speciality units have different arrangements. Read more

We will no longer be recording details of visitors.  We encourage you to keep a record of your own movements for contact tracing purposes.

Some entrances to Wellington Hospital remain closed. View a map of how to access the hospital.

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement

Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast DHBs remain focused on a longer term plan for how our hospitals and services will operate at alert level 1 and beyond.

We continue to assess the implications for our services, consider an increase in planned surgery levels – with the aim of returning to normal levels in the future – and will ensure adequate staffing to continue providing safe health services.

It is currently too soon to provide detail about planning going forward in what is still an evolving situation. All decisions are based on advice from our clinicians, with patients’ clinical needs and safety as our highest priority.

If you have not heard from us, and are unsure whether to come to your scheduled appointment please phone (04) 806 0992 the day before your appointment to confirm.

If you have a confirmed outpatient appointment

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement 

To keep everyone safe, please review these questions before coming to the hospital for your outpatient appointment.

In the last 14 days have you:

• had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis
• had contact with a confirmed or probable case
• had a COVID-19 test and waiting for the results
• travelled internationally
• had direct contact with a person who has travelled overseas (eg Customs and Immigration staff, staff at quarantine/isolation facilities)
• worked on an international aircraft or shipping vessel
• cleaned at an international airport or maritime port in areas/conveniences visited by international arrivals, or
• had contact with aircrew or are a household member of aircrew.

If you have answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, do you also have any of these symptoms that are NEW:

• a fever (high temperature)
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• runny nose, sneezing
• loss of smell

If you have any symptoms or meet any of the criteria above please contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 or ring your GP for advice before coming to the hospital for your appointment.

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement 

Community-based Assessment Centres have been set up across the Wellington Region.

These centres, also known as CBACs (Community Based Assessment Centres), are primarily to screen and assess people for testing, and test those who meet the criteria

No on-demand (or drop-in) COVID-19 testing is being carried out in the hospital. 

If you are pregnant and expecting to give birth soon, you may be worried about what giving birth will be like while the country is in COVID-19 Level 1.

Maternity care is an essential service.  All your maternity care will still be provided. However,  protect you, your baby and your whānau, we’ve made some changes to how we work.

There are no longer restrictions on visiting. People will be able to support you during birth and visit you on the ward after the birth of your baby.

Information for pregnant women and mums who are breastfeeding is available on the Ministry of Health website.

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement 

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.

In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia and severe infection of the lungs.

Going to your GP if you think you may have COVID-19

• If you need to see a Doctor or other medical professional you MUST phone first.
• Most consultations will happen over the phone (or by video call) to stop any risk of the disease spreading by person to person contact.
• If a face to face meeting is required, your doctor or other medical professional will organise this with you.
• If you cannot get through and are severely unwell, for example having trouble breathing, call 111 for an ambulance.

When should I seek medical advice?

If you are concerned about symptoms you are experiencing, please contact the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

More information about accessing healthcare can be found on www.covid19.govt.nz

New Zealand citizens and residents returning home

Public health staff are working with border agencies to ensure New Zealand citizens and residents returning home are screened as they enter the country, and aware of the need to self-isolate and understand what that means.

Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you could infect other people. If you have to self-isolate please register register with Healthline online. If you have issues with the online registration, you can also register by calling 0800 358 5453.

Staff at airports and ports have information on hand that advises people what to look out for and what to do if they get symptoms.

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement 

Normal charges will now apply for parking at Wellington Regional Hospital.  View more details on parking

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement 

There are lots of things that you can do to keep yourself and those around you well.

Look after yourself If you or someone you know needs wellbeing support or advice, call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor. This confidential service is free of charge and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s also useful information on the government’s website COVID19.govt.nz
Be kind and stay connected This is a stressful time for many. Remember to be kind.  While we need to maintain physical distance, it is important to stay connected.  Check in on the elderly or vulnerable by phone or video call. Connect them with specialist help (health or welfare for example) if it is needed. Make a difference by dropping off supplies to those who are home sick and ‘virtually’ check in with whānau, friends and neighbours.
Protect yourself and others Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds). Then dry. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs. Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately. Stay home if you feel unwell. Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean. Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately. Stay home if you feel unwell.

More COVID-19 related health information is available on the Ministry of Health website www.health.govt.nz/covid-19

For information about the national response to COVID-19 and support from across government go to www.covid19.govt.nz