Friday, April 22, 2022
Grampians Health is easing visitor restrictions across its hospital sites (with the exception of Ballarat*) in line with the government’s announcement.
From Saturday April 23, inpatients (patients who have been admitted to a hospital ward) across Grampians Health Stawell, Horsham and Dimboola will be permitted a maximum of two visitors per day, for up to two hours each during visiting hours (2pm-8pm).
Patients, families and friends are asked to coordinate their visits to ensure they are adhering to restrictions and there are no more than two visitors per day.
Visitors are not permitted to enter quarantine or isolation areas, including our dedicated COVID-19 and respiratory wards. Given that COVID remains active in our community, some areas may also need to limit visitors at short notice. Please also check with the ward each day that you intend to visit to ensure that visitors are permitted on that day; this can be done by calling reception at your Grampians Health site.
All visitors are required to check in with a QR code and undergo entrance screening and must wear a mask provided by Grampians Health. Visitors who are not fully vaccinated will be required to wear an N95 mask in order to be permitted on site.
To keep our patients, clients and staff safe during this time, we are asking members of our community to think carefully about their need to visit a Grampians Health site.
Please note: There is no change to visitor restrictions in Aged Care facilities at this time.
*Grampians Health Ballarat has activated a Code Yellow alert, and as such there will be no easing of visitor restrictions until at least mid-next week. Please continue to monitor bhs.org.au for updates.
Grampians Health interim Chief People Officer Claire Woods welcomed the change to visitor restrictions.
“Visitors make a big difference for our patients, residents and clients – and for our staff too,” Ms Woods said.
“We know the difference having visitors can make for our patients and the weight this will take off our staff who have been doing their jobs while also giving additional support to fill the gaps that not having visitors has made for many,” she said.
“These changes to visitor restrictions are the first step for Grampians Health following the Premier’s announcement earlier this week and we’ll continue to work through and announce further changes as is safe, given the changing level of COVID across our region.”
Grampians Health is asking our community to rely on common sense and cooperation during this period of changes to visitor restrictions.
“Unfortunately, COVID is still in the community and this means that we can’t have everyone on site at once, so we’re asking our community to coordinate so that visits are shared and respectful to others in the ward or visiting area.”
For more information on changes to visitor restrictions at your campus, check the related website.
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