Changes to visitation at our facilities due to COVID-19

Your safety is our highest priority.

We understand that visiting your loved ones in hospital is important, just as much as their health.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect you, our patients and our staff, we are limiting the number of visitors to our hospitals.

Visitor restrictions - All facilities

We ask that patients and visitors follow visiting restrictions and social distancing rules as follows:

• each patient may have one visit per day,
• with no more than two people per visit,
• for a maximum visit up to two hours,
• and to practice social distancing rules implemented by the Queensland Government.

Please avoid bringing children under 16 years of age to the hospital and ensure you wash your hands upon entry and exit of each ward or service area.

People may not visit a hospital if they:

• have been asked to self quarantine due to travel overseas or interstate or close contact with a person who has COVID-19 in the previous 14 days
• are unwell in any way, particularly with a fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath
• are under the age of 16. 

One person may remain with a patient at all times when needed for the following:

• carers for children under the age of 18
• carers for people with a disability
• partner or support person when the patient is admitted for care related to the pregnancy
• support person for emergency department or outpatient care appointments.
• Additional exemptions may be granted for End-of-life support.

Wards with additional restrictions

Additional restrictions may apply for some wards. These include:

• Emergency Department, Outpatients, Haemodialysis Unit, Transit Lounges – 1 support person
• COVID-19 Inpatient Ward – No visitors

Maternity and neonatal visitors

• Birth Suites – 1 support person per birth
• Maternity Inpatient Ward – 1 visitor at a time, limit of 2 per day
• Special Care Nursery – Parents only, one at a time. No children please

Please speak to a staff member about visits from siblings.

If you are unsure, please check with a staff member in the ward or service.

Thank you for your understanding

We understand this is not going to be an easy transition and that there will be a need for special considerations. If you feel there is a need for a special consideration, please call ahead to the hospital ward or area manager.

Facilities in Metro South Health follow directions about visiting from the Prime Minister and the Chief Health Officer.

Sometimes visitors need to be restricted further to ensure patients and residents are safe. It is important to protect our patients or residents from other illnesses including influenza or other non-COVID respiratory viruses. 

At these times, our staff work with patients, residents and family members so everyone knows how they can help keep patients safe.