Visiting hours and information

Visiting Te Whatu Ora hospital and healthcare services in Hawke’s Bay

Effective from 12:01am Tuesday 15 August, COVID-19 requirements, including the use of face masks will be removed from most healthcare settings, but please follow staff/department instructions if masks are still required to protect vulnerable patients. 

On this page:

Information for all visitors

Emergency Department (ED)

Inpatient wards

Visiting patients with COVID-19

Visiting hours

Information for all visitors

Mask Wearing - mask wearing remains an important way we can prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in health and disability care settings. 

It is still recommended that you wear a face mask when visiting healthcare services.  Please respect the healthcare facility/hospital's policy on mask wearing when visiting, you may be asked to wear a mask in particular situations or locations within a healthcare facility to help protect those at higher risk.

Unwell? Please don't visit.
It is recommended that you avoid visiting patients or residents of healthcare settings if you:

• have acute symptoms of COVID-19 or other infectious conditions
• have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 5 days, or are a household contact and are still within your recommended 5 day testing period. 

Emergency Department (ED)

One parent or guardian, or person acting as a kaitiaki (partner in care) can support a patient while they are receiving care inside the Emergency Department (priority will be given to parents and guardians and those acting in a kaitiaki capacity).

ED waiting room

When the ED waiting room is busy, we may not be able to accommodate support people due to limited space. To protect patients, whānau and staff, at times a support person may need to wait elsewhere. Thank you for your understanding.

Exceptions for compassionate care and other special circumstances will be considered and must be approved by the clinical nurse co-ordinator.

Inpatient wards

Most inpatient wards may have more than one visitor. 

Ward visiting policy subject to change
At times, visiting restrictions may apply. Any updates regarding ward visiting restrictions will be posted at entrances to our hospitals and wards. If you need to contact a ward, please phone the call centre (06 878-8109) and ask to speak with the Charge Nurse on the ward.

Visiting patients with COVID-19 - Hawke's Bay Hospital (Ward B2 and A1)

Wards B2 and A1 at Hawke’s Bay Hospital are dedicated COVID-19 wards with restricted access.

Please speak with the ward’s Charge Nurse if you wish to visit a COVID-19 patient.

If visiting is allowed, a surgical must be worn and infection, prevention and control measures strictly followed. If you don’t have a surgical mask, one will be provided for you.

Virtual visiting using hospital iPads can be organised if a visit is not possible.

Visiting hours