Woy Woy Hospital changes visiting hours

Woy Woy Hospital has changed its visiting hours, as part of precautions against coronavirus.

Central Coast Local Health District chief executive Dr Andrew Montague said visiting hours had been reduced and new restrictions imposed on the number of visitors a patient could receive.

"Visiting hours at Woy Woy Hospital are now 6pm to 8pm," Dr Montague said.

"We ask that patients are only visited by one visitor who is either their partner, carer, guardian or nominated significant other during these visiting hours.

"In certain areas including maternity, mental health and children's services, we have different arrangements in place.

"If you are visiting a patient in one of these services or coming in for an antenatal clinic, please refer to our website before you come to check what arrangements we have in place," Dr Montague said.

"There are special circumstances where additional support may be needed, such as for patients receiving end of life care, palliative care and dementia patients requiring extra support.

"If anyone wants to discuss specific circumstances, we are asking they speak to the inpatient unit's nurse unit manager."

Dr Montague said people must be feeling well if they planned to visit someone in hospital.

"Visitors must not enter any of our hospitals or healthcare facilities if they have a fever or a cold and flu-like illness or if they have been overseas in the last 14 days," Dr Montague said.

"People who have been in contact with anyone who has Covid-19 in the last 14 days must also not visit loved ones in our hospitals or healthcare centres," he said.

SOURCE:

Press release, 18 Mar 2020

Sharna Ryan, Central Coast Health