COVID-19: Information for visitors

Visiting restrictions lifted under alert level 1

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement

All visiting restrictions have now been lifted across Hutt Valley and Capital Coast DHBs.

There is no longer a requirement for screening on entry to the main hospitals, but you may be screened before entering services within the hospital.

All visitors are strongly encouraged to record their own movements for contact tracing purposes

General Visiting Hours:

8.00am - 12.30pm

2.30pm- 8.00pm

(strictly no visits between 12.30pm-2.30pm)

Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) Visiting Hours:

2.30pm to 6.30pm

Information about surgeries and appointments

Watch an NZSL translation of this announcement

The Prime Minister has only just announced that the country will move into alert level 1 from midnight, Tuesday 9 June. Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast DHBs are continuing our planning for this move, and 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) 570 9555 the day before your appointment to confirm.

Maternity Care

Visit www.huttmaternity.org.nz for more information on maternity services at Hutt Valley DHB, and your care at COVID-19 Level 1.

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.

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

Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

For the wellbeing of all babies, parents and staff there are some restrictions on visiting in Hutt Valley SCBU.

These include:

SCBU visiting hours 2.30pm-6.30pm
Parents / legal guardians have entry 24 hours a day
Visitors are limited to two at a time, during visiting. A parent must accompany all visitors.
No children under 5 years of age (this includes siblings) can visit

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.

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.

We will be providing regular updates here.

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

Normal charges will now apply for parking.

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 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.
Stay home You 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.

More information:

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