The following updates apply at WDHS:

Visitor Restrictions effective from 19 Sept 2023

The following COVID-19 updates apply at WDHS campuses  (unless an outbreak has been declared, in which case a facility may be closed to visitors and contractors for a nominated period), providing physical distancing (1.5 metres) and face mask compliance is maintained:

Aged Care – Birches / Grange / Coleraine / Penshurst:

  • To facilitate screening requirements; preferred visiting hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and weekends (Public Holidays) 1pm to 4pm;
  • Visitors with COVID-19 symptoms, who are COVID-19 positive, or have had COVID-19 within the last 7 days, will not be allowed entry to WDHS facilities;
  • There is no limit on the number of visitors per day, but only three (3) visitors are allowed at one time;
  • There is no limit on the number of visitors per day for end of life residents, but only 5 visitors are allowed at one time;
  • All visitors should have a negative result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken on the same day they attend the WDHS facilities;
  • Visits are recommended to occur either outdoors, in the visitor room or residents room with doors and windows open to provide ventilation
  • Residents can leave their care facility for any reason; and
  • Residents with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will be able to have restricted essential visitors who are identified as partners in care to provide essential or end of life care based on a local risk assessment under guidance by the Public Health Unit (PHU) and approved by the Chief Medical Officer.

*Rapid Antigen (RA) test kits are available at WDHS for visitors to our facilities who are required to return a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result.

Hamilton Base Hospital (HBH):
The following visitor restrictions apply to HBH:

Restricted visiting hours apply Monday to Sunday 10am to 6pm; There is no restricted visiting hours for end-of-life patients;Visitors with COVID-19 symptoms, who are COVID-19 positive, or have had COVID-19 within the last 7 days, must not enter HBH;
It is recommended that ward-based visitors complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before visiting;
There is no limit on the number of visitors per day;
A support person / visitor aged 8 years and over must wear a surgical mask during their visit;
Patients attending the Cancer and Dialysis Centre are permitted one (1) support person; • Patients attending the Emergency Department are permitted one (1) support person;
Elective surgery patients may have one (1) support person escort them to the direct admissions area;
Patients who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 may be allowed one visitor at time after consultation with the Nurse Unit Manager or After Hours Coordinator; and nExemptions to these visitor restrictions may be granted following consultation with the Nurse Unit Manager or After Hours Coordinator.

*Rapid Antigen (RA) test kits are available at WDHS for visitors to our facilities who are required to return a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result.

Community Client Clinics – (Hamilton, Penshurst, Coleraine and Merino) & HBH Consulting Suites

  • Face-to-face consultations may continue;
  • Visitors with COVID-19 symptoms, who are COVID-19 positive, or have had COVID-19 within the last 7 days, will not be allowed entry to WDHS facilities;
  • One (1) person can attend as a support person / visitor*; and
  • A support person / visitor aged 8 years and over must wear a surgical mask during their visit.

*If a visitor / support person cannot arrange care for a dependent (such as a child) the group of visitors may exceed 1.

If you have any queries please contact Primary and Preventative Health Reception on 5551 8351 or Allied Health reception on 5551 8450

Community Transport & Volunteering Program

  • Community Transport will continue a full service;
  • The Hospital Op Shop is open Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 9am – 12noon
  • All on-site Volunteering may continue.

Face-to-face meetings and education

  • Face-to-face meetings may resume:

Contractors:

  • Non-essential contractors are no longer restricted from entry to all WDHS facilities.

Respiratory Clinic:

  • The respiratory clinic has now closed

Green Bean Cafe:

  • Density limit no longer applies

Staff Tea/Break rooms:

  • Room density limits no longer apply at WDHS, however social distancing is required and where possible, taking meal breaks / conducting meetings in outdoor areas is recommended.

Face mask rules apply at WDHS

Face Mask Protocol (as long as physical distancing of 1.5 metres is maintained) – updated 23 August 23

  • All staff, students, volunteers and contractors in the HBH acute wards, Emergency Department, ICU, Cancer and Dialysis treatment area and all aged care campuses, must wear a surgical mask;
  • All staff, students, volunteers and contractors who have direct customer contact with suspected or confirmed COVID customers, must wear a P2/N95 mask;
  • All staff, students, volunteers and contractors who have direct customer contact in consulting clinics (all campuses), Primary & Preventative Health buildings and in the community, are not required to wear a face mask;
  • All staff, students, volunteers and contractors in non-clinical areas are not required to wear a face mask (for example; entrances, corridors, Green Bean Café, waiting areas, elevators and stairways, seminar rooms, auditorium and communal offices, at all WDHS campuses);
  • Staff working in an office in a clinical area/customer zone, must wear a surgical mask;
  • Staff travelling in a vehicle for work purposes with customers, must wear a surgical mask;
  • Staff travelling in a vehicle for work purposes with their colleagues, are not required to wear a face mask
  • When outdoors at the HBH campus and aged care facilities healthcare workers providing direct customer care, must wear a surgical mask;
  • Adult visitors and children over the age of 8 at all WDHS campuses must wear a surgical mask in the HBH acute wards, Emergency Department, ICU, Cancer and Dialysis treatment area and all aged care campuses.

Note:

  • Face masks must be worn if staff can’t remain socially distanced;
  • Staff who are a social or workplace contact will be required to wear a P2/N95 mask while at work for 5 days following notification;
  • Staff are encouraged to have their breaks outdoors and when this is not possible must be physically distanced by 1.5 metres in tearooms; and
  • Room density limits no longer apply.

Wearing a mask

  • Disposable surgical masks can be worn for up to 4 hours, however, masks must be replaced if it becomes damaged, damp or contaminated;
  • Masks must be disposed of into an infectious waste bin;

High School, Primary School and Kindergarten visits or Work Experience Programs

  • Are not permitted until further notice

Please note these protocols are subject to change

For further queries contact Western District Health Service on 03 5551 8222

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