Gisborne Hospital is now moving back to how it operated pre COVID-19 times.
All clinical services have resumed and are focussing on catching up with people who had appointments or treatment deferred during the lockdown.
Visiting hours are now between 2pm and 8pm daily on most wards. More than one person can visit at a time, and supervised children are welcome. There may be restrictions visiting our critical care areas such as Intensive care and the Neonatal Unit due to capacity. If you are feeling unwell or have a runny nose or cough, please don't visit anyone in hospital, says Hauora Tairāwhiti clinical care manager Lynsey Bartlett.
"It's still important that everyone keeps up hygiene measures, including washing hands and coughing or sneezing into your elbow."
Entrances to the hospital have been opened up. People will not be screened by staff upon entry. However, all people coming to the Emergency Department or a health services appointment will be asked if they, or someone they have been in contact with, has returned from overseas recently. They will also be asked if they have had any potential recent exposure to COVID-19.
Red and green areas set up to manage people with COVID-19 symptoms, separately from all other patients, have now been removed. Rooms are still available to isolate people with infectious respiratory symptoms while they are being tested.
"The changes have been made because the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and transmission in the community in New Zealand is very low, confirms Mrs Bartlett. "However, future cases of COVID-19 are still possible, which is why good hygiene and testing people with respiratory symptoms is so important."
We know that for people with loved ones in hospital the last few month's restrictions have been frustrating. We thank you all for your cooperation and helping to keep our patients and staff safe."