Visiting Christchurch or Burwood Hospital? Wear a mask

People visiting Christchurch or Burwood Hospital are being asked to wear masks to help stop the spread of viral respiratory illness.

Following an increase in viral respiratory illness being seen in the community, Canterbury District Health Board has made changes to visiting for Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals – effective immediately. 

Canterbury DHB Chief Medical Officer Dr Helen Skinner says there is currently increased demand for the DHB’s hospital-based services due to a rise in patients presenting with respiratory illness and we need to do whatever we can to prevent the spread of illness in our facilities.

“For that reason, we are requesting that people only visit Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals for essential purposes and stay home if they are unwell.

“We request that only one person at a time comes in to visit, and that no children come in to visit our hospitals. Exceptions will be made on compassionate grounds, and should be discussed with the nurse in charge of the area you want to visit.

“Mask use is currently essential on public transport, including the hospital shuttle, and we’re recommending people also wear a mask or other face covering (it can be a fabric mask or scarf but must cover your nose and mouth) when visiting our facilities” says Dr Skinner.

These changes are in place until further notice while there are a number of viruses circulating and Christchurch's hospitals are at capacity.

Anyone with planned surgery or an outpatient appointment should still turn up as planned – if there’s any change to your appointment, the CDHB will contact you directly.