Information for visitors at Mersey Community Hospital

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COVID-19 visitor restrictions

Until further notice, we ask that patients and visitors follow visiting restrictions and social distancing rules, including:

2 visitors per patient per day.
Visitors must not stay for longer than 60 minutes.
Visiting hours are 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Requests for exceptions to these guidelines can be discussed with the in-charge ward nurse.
Approved visitors will be screened before they are allowed in the hospital.

If you are an approved visitor, you must:

We recommend children do not visit patients unless the patient is critically unwell.

Please don’t visit the hospital if you or anyone you live with:

has a cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or any infectious condition
is unwell
has a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath
has lost their sense of taste or smell
has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is in isolation
is awaiting a COVID-19 test result and is in isolation
is a close contact, and is not permitted to enter or remain on the premises of a high-risk facility.

You may also be asked to leave while clinical and personal care procedures are being carried out.

For patient admission information, visit the For patients section on our website.

For more information, go to coronavirus.tas.gov.au.

Visiting hours

You may usually visit a patient between 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm daily.
If you can’t get to the hospital during visiting hours, we may be able to arrange another time for you.
Talk to the staff in charge of the ward if you want to visit outside normal visiting hours.
It is recommended to contact us ahead of visiting to confirm any changes to rules and visiting hours.

Please clean your hands using soap and water or a hand sanitiser.
You need to do this when you enter or leave the patient’s room or other areas of the hospital.

You may be accompanied by a caregiver or support person if required however if you are independent and attending an appointment, it is recommended that the person bringing you does not attend the facility unless required.
Two visitors per patient per day for a maximum period of 60 minutes between the hours of 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
Exceptions are listed below for certain wards and parts of the hospital.

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.