Visitor restrictions lifted at Taranaki Base and Hāwera hospitals

9 May 2022

Taranaki DHB is easing the visitor restrictions at Taranaki Base and Hāwera hospitals in response to the current Traffic Light setting, Orange.

Whānau are an important part of a patients care, treatment and recovery, says Gillian Campbell Taranaki DHB’s Chief Operating Officer.

“We know that visitors and support people help patients feel well supported, so from today, all visitors are welcome to see their loved ones in hospital any day of the week but are asked to respect the visiting hours of 2pm to 8pm.”

Sticking to the designated visiting hours is important with COVID-19 still in the community and impacting the DHB workforce, says Mrs. Campbell

“We do need to continue to manage the risk of COVID-19 and other potential public health impacts in our hospitals so some additional restrictions to visiting in the specialty clinical areas may be applied to keep people safe.”

“There are some exceptions to the visiting hours, if a support person or whānau need to be able to attend ward rounds, discussions or be available on compassionate grounds, we will help facilitate this and parents and caregivers are able to visit the children’s ward at any time.”

Security Guards remain on the entrances to meet and greet patients and visitors and carry out COVID-19 screening. The public are asked to please sign in with the guard or use the screening kiosks, sanitise their hands, wear a face covering and social distance where possible.

Visitor health screening kiosks are in place for an initial three-week trial period at the main and maternity entrances of Taranaki Base Hospital.

If anyone is feeling unwell, they are asked to stay home and connect with their loved ones in hospital via technology. Patients have access to free Wi-Fi thanks to PRIMO, so people are encouraged to get on the phone or send their loved ones a message instead to help keep our hospitals free of any extra illness.