We know how important it is for people in our care to be able to stay in touch with their loved ones.
We also need to be vigilant about not creating potential opportunities for the spread of COVID during heightened alert levels.
Each ward patient can nominate one person (aged 15+) to visit (this person is not interchangeable) for a maximum of two hours per day. The nominated visitor must be from the same bubble or the principal caregiver.
Any requests for more than one visitor per patient will be considered on compassionate grounds, with specific approval required.
In maternity, one support person is allowed to be with pregnant woman during labour and birth, and one partner or support person is allowed during the postnatal stay.
There are no visitors allowed in Emergency Department, Medical Assessment and Diagnostic Unit, Haematology Day Stay, Surgical Day Stay, Medical Day Stay, Dialysis Units, Ward 12 and Mental Health Inpatient Units.
Outpatients are each allowed an appropriate support person to attend appointments with them.
It is completely FREE if you say you’re just needing a test. If your family doctor is busy, they will recommend another family doctor that can test you.
You can also visit a designated GP clinic to get tested. You don’t need to be enrolled to get tested at these clinics.
Another option is to visit an Urgent Care Clinic -some of these are opened 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Your final option is to visit a Community Testing Centre (CTCs).
If you are unsure about whether you need a test, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your GP. Please be aware that COVID-19 testing is not available at our hospitals.
Remember: be calm, be kind and be patient.
If you are aged 12 or over, you can book your free COVID-19 vaccination now. It does not matter what your visa or citizenship status is.
You can book on behalf of someone else — or help them with their booking — if you have their permission.
If you are a worker in a border or managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) setting, getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is mandatory.
The Book My Vaccine website is the fastest and easiest way to book and make changes to your appointment. Booking through the website can take 5 minutes or less. Click here - Book My Vaccine
Choose a clinic that has multiple bookings available around the time you want to get vaccinated. Book yourself first. You will need to book each person getting vaccinated into the same clinic.
Email the Book My Vaccine team if you have any problems booking or need to change your details.
Email: booking@vaccine.covid19.health.nz
You can book over the phone by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.
All calls are free, and the team are available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days-a-week. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.
You might have to wait a little while before your call is answered, as the lines can be busy — please be patient. Once your call is answered, it will take around 15 minutes to book your appointments.
When you call, it is a good idea to have your NHI (National Health Index) number ready. This will make the booking process quicker. You can find your NHI number on a hospital letter, a prescription or prescription receipt. The Ministry of Health has also set up an 0800 number that you can call to find out: 0800 855 066.
For the best protection, it is important to get 2 doses of the vaccine.
The standard gap between doses is now 6 weeks or more.
We are extending the standard gap because it allows us to give 1 dose (partial protection) to a larger number of people faster.
Early findings from a small number of well-designed studies show that an extended gap between doses of the Pfizer vaccine gives at least an equally robust immune response.
In some situations, you may be advised to have a shorter gap between doses. For example:
The minimum gap between doses will continue to be 21 days.
Follow the same steps as for booking your first dose, either online or over the phone. You will be asked if you have had your first dose, and which type of vaccine it was.
For more information about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), please refer to the following websites:
