Launceston General Hospital

Hospital Visitor Restrictions

The safety of our patients, visitors and staff is very important and by restricting visitors we are taking measures that align with public health advice to prevent the potential spread and impact of COVID-19.

Unless you are seeking personal medical treatment or care, we ask that you do not visit our hospital, outpatient clinic or community centres if you:

are unwell with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), such as a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, fever or loss of sense of taste or smell;
have been advised to self-isolate following international or interstate travel, or
are awaiting an COVID-19 test result.

Visitors must:

Visit between 2pm - 6pm with a maximum of one visitor per patient at a time for most areas
Complete the visitor screening tool on arrival
Contact the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) or Associate NUM, where present, for an exemption, for example in the ICU and Palliative Care

To request an exemption on compassionate grounds, contact the facility you wish to visit and talk with the Nurse Unit Manager or Associate NUM.

Visitors allowed:

Area / Ward	Number of visitors
Outpatient clinics and community centres	Support person only
Department of Critical Care Medicine	Two visitors will be allowed at any one time
Emergency Department	A single visitor is permitted in the following circumstances: A parent/guardian of a dependent child A support person for a patient requiring significant physical, communication or comprehension assistance. On compassionate grounds. We understand that coming to an Emergency Department can be very stressful, but these restrictions are necessary to reduce crowding in the busy Emergency Department and waiting areas.
Neonatal Intensive Care	Parents / Carers have unrestricted visiting with a maximum of two people visiting. Compassionate situation – exemptions may be applied for siblings.
Paediatric Unit	Parents / Carers have unrestricted visiting with a maximum of two people visiting.
Maternity Unit	An upper limit of two people to support mothers in the maternity unit (this limit of two includes the partner, if the partner is present).
Operating Theatre and Recovery Room	Visitors not routinely allowed. Parents may visit children post-surgery
Short Stay Surgical Unit	One support person permitted
Palliative Care	An upper limit of four visitors for patients receiving end-of-life care, and the capacity for one visitor to stay overnight and for pets to visit where appropriate.

Serving Launceston and surrounding areas

Photograph of the entrance to the Launceston General Hospital in Launceston, Tasmania

Welcome to the Launceston General Hospital (LGH). The hospital provides inpatient and ambulatory services to Launceston and surrounding areas.

As an accredited teaching hospital, the LGH has a close partnership with the University of Tasmania through the Launceston Clinical School and the School of Nursing and Midwifery based in Launceston.

Research and innovation is encouraged and supported throughout the hospital with research sponsored by the Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust.

As the largest employer in the region, the LGH has about 2000 employees or approximately 1500 equivalent fulltime staff.

Staff are committed to providing quality services in a culture of respect and trust with high levels of professionalism and a focus on performance and achieving results.

The focus is on teamwork within the hospital and also with community providers.