Safety protocols remain in place for Hawke's Bay's health services under traffic light system
The visitor policy at Hawke’s Bay DHB remains the same in the new traffic light system, which the country moved to on Friday.
Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s Emergency Department will continue to have a strict no visitor or support person policy in place. However, discretion is being applied for children and people who had special care needs or disabilities.
In other hospital areas, including the intensive care unit and rural facilities, it is one visitor at a time during visiting hours between 1-8pm. More than one person can visit during the day, but each person can only visit once a day.
Chief operating officer Chris Ash says the DHB’s policy has proven to be effective in keeping patients and visitors safe while at hospital or its health centre facilities.
“Safety of our patients is paramount which is why it is vitally important no one who is unwell visits family or friends in hospital,” Mr Ash says.
All visitors must sign-in using the Covid tracer app or provide their details on arrival. Visitors must also wear a mask. Anyone who forgets a mask will be provided with one.
For people coming to a DHB facility for an outpatient, radiology, or laboratory appointment, they should come alone, unless advised to bring someone with them. Exceptions may be applied to children and/or anyone with a disability or needing assistance.
Visitors should follow social distancing rules and make sure their hands are thoroughly washed or cleaned with hand sanitiser before and after visiting.
City Medical will offer the usual range of services at “Orange” but will be delivering them differently.
Patients visiting the clinic are not required to show a vaccine pass (this is against the rules), but will be asked their vaccination status.
"We will provide the same care to vaccinated and unvaccinated patients alike, but under slightly different conditions with increased PPE for unvaccinated patients and separate waiting areas. Unfortunately, until vaccinated this must include children under 12 as well," a spokesperson says.
While patients with true, life-threatening respiratory illness/fever will be seen as normal those with flu symptoms (regardless of vaccination status) will be asked to wait outside the clinic in their cars and may only be offered a phone or video consultation.
People who don't need to physically attend the clinic are encouraged to do so over the phone. "We are happy to provide health advice, prescriptions, ACC paperwork and off-work certificates electronically or by phone."
"Kia Kaha Napier! Keep going with those vaccinations and let’s try to go green for Christmas!"
The DHB continues to urge anyone with Covid-19-related symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if they are vaccinated.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Nick Jones says in the eight days up to November 30 more than 3000 people had been tested in Hawke’s Bay.
“It is promising many people have got out and got tested, particularly off the back of last weekend’s COVID positive case being detected and locations of interest being notified.
“The earlier we detect any spread of Covid-19, the more effective our response can be in stamping it out.”
Drive-in testing stations were open today and right through the weekend as well as booking options.
Dr Jones also reminded people getting vaccinated against Covid-19, or booking in a booster shot if fully vaccinated and it has been more than six months since receiving your second dose.
