New Zealand currently remains at alert level 2. Information about how we are working under alert level 2 can be found below.
Restrictions on visiting our sites under alert level 2
While we are at COVID-19 Level 2, patient and staff safety is our top priority.
We are now opening up access to Capital & Coast DHB and Hutt Valley DHB facilities to allow more visitors within restricted visiting hours.
GENERAL VISITING HOURS are 8.00AM - 12.30PM | 2.30PM - 8.00PM (strictly no visits between 12.30-2.30pm)
Visiting hours for maternity are 2.30pm-8pm with visitor restrictions. Please visit the Hutt Maternity website for more information.
Restrictions on visiting, as with all current COVID-19-related measures, are to ensure the safety of patients and staff by minimising avoidable contact and the potential for spread of the virus.
Currently, at alert level 2, most inpatients at Hutt Hospital will be able to nominate 2 people who will be allowed to visit them while they are in hospital (one at time).
In some cases, the restrictions on visiting are a little different. These include:
- Outpatient appointments - At present we aren’t allowing anyone to accompany patients to outpatient appointments/assessments except in exceptional circumstances. This is so we can maximise the amount of appointments we can provide, while maintaining safe distancing between people in clinic waiting rooms.
- Visiting the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) - Both parents will be able to visit babies in our special care baby unit (SCBU), but must visit one at a time to maintain safe physical distancing between visitors. Read more about visiting SCBU
- Patients with disabilities or special needs can still bring a support person to any appointments. If staying in hospital they may have 1 nominated visitor in addition to their support person.
- Intensive Care Unit – patients can have 1 nominated visitor.
- Child Health - Only 1 parent/caregiver will be allowed to accompany a child for the duration of their admission. However, parents/caregivers can swap with each other during the time their child is in hospital.
Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis – for example allowing family to visit a dying patient - by the clinical team caring for the patient. The clinical team will work with the family, and the infectious diseases team as appropriate, to ensure the right balance between compassion and safety is maintained.
Where a visitor is allowed to access any DHB facility, they will be asked a set of questions to ensure they are well before they are allowed in.
When you're visiting
Visitors will be required to wear a visitor sticker at all times.
We’ll also be asking those visiting to follow Alert Level 2 precautions such as ensuring that hands are washed and physical distancing of 2 metres is maintained.
This is to keep our patients and our staff safe.
We ask that you stay with your loved one in their room and avoid moving around our wards. When you leave, please go straight to your nearest exit.
We are now opening up more hospital entrances to make it easier for you get to your destination more easily.
Staying connected
We encourage our patients to nominate a family member to help with communication with whānau.
Our staff can also help you and your loved one in hospital stay connected via phone or video conference. Read more about how we can help.
We ask that all families and whānau help us to protect and care for all who are in our care in Capital & Coast DHB and Hutt Valley DHB health services.
Surgeries and appointments
Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, and Capital & Coast DHBs are working together to respond to COVID-19. During alert levels 4 and 3, urgent acute and some non-deferrable surgery was continuing. This included working with private providers to ensure that non-deferrable planned surgery – such as cancer or cardiothoracic surgery – could continue. During alert level 3, we slightly increased the level of planned surgery we undertook.
We have now moved into alert level 2, and the focus is on a longer term plan for how our hospitals will operate under alert level 1 and beyond. This will include considering the implications on our services, determining how we prioritise planned surgery, and increasing the level of planned surgery in the aim of returning to normal levels in the future. As part of our planning, we always ensure we have adequate staffing levels to continue providing safe health services.
It is too soon to go into detail about planning going forward as such plans may need to change as developments arise. As always decisions around surgery and appointments are based on advice from our clinicians, and the clinical needs of individual patients, and with patient safety and wellbeing as our highest priority.
If you have not heard from us, and are unsure whether to come to your scheduled appointment please phone (04) 570 9555 the day before your appointment to confirm.
COVID-19 Testing
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. Please follow the instructions on your referral letter for directions on how to get to a testing facility.
Find out more about centre locations and the testing process
Maternity Care
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 Levels 2.
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.
Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast DHBs are considering what COVID-19 level 2 looks like for our services, including our maternity services, following the lockdown and assess what – if any – changes will be made to our visitor policy. Any decisions made will take into account guidance provided at a national level, with the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff being our highest priority.
Find out more about giving birth at our hospitals during Level 2.
Information for pregnant women and mums who are breastfeeding is available on the Ministry of Health website.
Abortion services
We continue to provide abortion services for women in Wellington, Hutt and Kāpiti.
Abortion care is an essential part of health care for women and we will maintain services even where non-urgent or elective services are suspended.
However, to reduce the risk of infection entering the hospital we’re limiting the amount of people coming into the hospital. This means that no support people or children will be allowed to attend your appointment with you.
Read more about accessing abortion services
Working with our disability community
We're working to ensure that information about COVID-19 is accessible and ensuring we respond to our community needs as we tackle COVID-19. We're also working with the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO) to ensure emergency responses connect everyone to the support they need.
Accessing Healthcare
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.
Parking and transport
While New Zealand is at Alert Level 4 and 3, there is no charge to park in our parking areas.
Hutt City Council has also advised that time restrictions and fees for parking spaces around our hospitals will not be enforced during the Alert Level 4 period.
Help us unite against COVID-19
There are lots of things that you can do to keep yourself and those around you well.
Look after yourselfIf 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 connectedThis 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. |  |
Stay homeYou must stay home unless you work in an essential service. We all need to do everything we can to break the chain of possible transmission of COVID-19 (and other viruses) in our communities. If you're outside the house, please keep at least two metres away from others. |  |
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.
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More information:
For information about the national response to COVID-19 and support from across government go to www.covid19.govt.nz
