Visitor guidelines for CALHN sites

The Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) has procedures and protocols in place that are designed to keep our patients, visitors and health care workers safe.

The visitor guidelines apply to all CALHN hospital sites, which include:

• Royal Adelaide Hospital
• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
• Statewide Rehabilitation Services
• Glenside Health Services

COVID-19 visitor guidelines

While it is vital to prevent COVID outbreaks in healthcare settings, we also recognise the importance of visitors and support people for patient and family wellbeing.

Current visitor guidelines are as follows:

• Adult general inpatients no restrictions
• End of life patients no restrictions
• Emergency Department patients can have a visitor accompany them in the Emergency Department
• For outpatient patients one visitor can accompany the patient
• For confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients our clinical teams will continue to support patient visits virtually and where appropriate, two visitors per day can be arranged with the treating team.

Where appropriate, and in the best interest of the patient, we will provide greater flexibility on visitors.

During visiting hours, to help keep everyone safe, please consider:

• the option of wearing a surgical mask – however this is no longer mandatory at our sites. We will continue to make masks available at wards for those who wish to wear one. Visitors may be required to wear a mask when visiting certain patients, including those who are COVID-19 positive
• maintaining a distance from others
• washing your hands (with either alcohol hand rub or soap and water)

Visiting COVID-19 positive patients

If visiting a COVID positive patient, additional measures are required when entering the patient’s room including:

• wearing a fit checked N95/P2 mask (staff will show you how to place and remove it)
• disposable eye protection/goggles
• disposable gown (gloves are not required, just hand hygiene)
• do not visit if you have COVID-19, have been exposed to COVID-19 or have any respiratory symptoms.

We are aware these restrictions can be challenging. We ask all visitors to treat our staff with kindness as we continue to work to keep our community, staff and patients safe.