COVID-19: Changes to our services

General visiting hours for Wellington Regional Hospital and Kenepuru Hospital are 10am–1pm and 3pm–8pm daily.

Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley are permitting a maximum of two adult visitors (over 16 years), who may be accompanied by up to two children or teenagers (under 16 years of age).

This applies to all of our wards, units, and campuses - apart from Cancer Ward 5 North at Wellington Hospital where only one visitor is permitted at a time.

Medical masks must be worn by all visitors at all times while on our campuses and are available at our entrances.

If you are unwell or experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, please delay your visit.

• For information about COVID-19, isolating and preparedness visit the official Covid-19 information website.
• For information on testing sites, hours, and how to book a test is located on the Healthpoint website.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting is restricted at Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley facilities.

We remain committed to enabling access to our facilities for whānau—whilst balancing risk for our patients, staff and our communities. View our full visiting policy here. 

General visitor restrictions

These restrictions apply to most hospital services, apart from Cancer Ward 5 North at Wellington Hospital (see below).

• A maximum of two adult visitors (aged over 16 years) at any one time may visit a patient at the hospital or clinic.
• Kaitiaki/Partners are agreed by the clinical area and nominated by Whānau and are able to visit at any time. They are not included in the number of visitors.
• Maternity patients can have an additional birth partner for support during labour and birth. They are not included in the number of visitors.
• Up to two children or teenagers (under 16 years) may visit at a time, but must be accompanied by an adult visitor.
• When more visitors need to be approved this will be at the discretion of the Charge Nurse Manager / Charge Midwife Manager and Senior Medical Officer. Whānau will nominate a key contact person.
• All visitors are to be wearing a medical mask and practice good hand hygiene.
• All visitors to practice safe social distancing and should remain two metres away from others as far as is practicable. Should this not be practical due to multi-bed rooms, the numbers of visitors in each multi-bedroom should be limited at each time to maintain distancing.

Outpatient clinics

• Patients are encouraged to come alone to their appointment if able.
• A maximum of two support people may accompany a patient if required. Kaitiaki / Partners in care are included in these numbers and may support / accompany at any time
• Interpreters are not counted as visitors.

Oncology (Cancer) 5 North Wellington Hospital

• Visiting is only allowed during visiting hours and is limited to one adult at a time.
• No children are permitted to visit patients in this ward.

Nominated Kaitiaki/Partners in care, may visit at any time in agreement with clinical staff. Please liaise with the clinical team before visiting.

Kaitiaki are not general visitors, who may come and go to visit family or friends—Kaitiaki/Partners in care are nominated and agreed between the clinical care team and whānau and provide essential care for those who are longer term patients, or patients who require hospital services frequently. They are more involved in the care plan and actively contribute to outcomes.

Kaitiaki/Partners in care must be asymptomatic, not be household contacts and able to wear a mask.

For the safety of you, your baby, your whanāu, and our teams, our routine care has been changed to protect everyone. This includes restricting your visitors and support people. However you can have an additional birth partner who can support you during labour and birth.

Our staff, and hospital teams are all aware of how difficult this is for you. We encourage the use of video calls with your whānau and friends. Speak to our staff if you need some assistance to stay connected while in hospital.

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

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