OUR COVID-19 VISITOR POLICY HAS CHANGED AS OF 12/01/2022
Albury Wodonga Health Visitor Information
Due to the developing COVID-19 outbreak in NSW and Victoria, new visitor restrictions are in place at Albury Wodonga Health.
Albury Wodonga Health acknowledges that the COVID-19 has had a significant impact upon our broader community. In order to minimise the transmission of COVID-19, our visiting guidelines are here to keep our patients, families, staff and community safe.
We appreciate this may be a particularly difficult time for anyone in hospital and within our health services. We are doing all we can to keep our patients connected to family and friends.
Our patients are some of the most vulnerable people within the community. Our visitor policy will change and be regularly updated to ensure our commitment to the safety of our staff and patients is upheld.
If you are unsure if you can visit a loved one, please speak to a Nurse Unit Manager. They are always available to discuss any concerns.
Thank you for your co-operation, patience and understanding.
Permitted Visitors
For the safety of our community, visitors will not be allowed entry to Albury Wodonga Health facilities, except for the following permitted reasons:
End of life care or for patients with life threatening conditions
- Up to two (2) visitors at one time, with no time limit
Support person/partner for birth
- One (1) nominated visitor only, with no time limit
Support person/partner for a woman in the Maternity Ward
- One (1) nominated visitor only, once per day, with no time limit
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- One (1) nominated visitor only, with no time limit
Parent/guardian to accompany a child patient under 18
- Up to two (2) parents/guardians per day, but only one at a time, with no time limit
OTHER PERMITTED REASONS
Essential care giving supporting patient safety (e.g. providing clinical history, interpreter or language support, learning discharge care, or patient with a cognitive impairment, disability or other condition whereby physical or psychological wellbeing/safety at risk).
- One (1) nominated visitor only, for the duration of support required
- Includes inpatient units, Emergency Department and Outpatient clinics and appointments as necessary
Nominated person of a patient under the Mental Health Act
- One (1) nominated visitor only, with no time limit
Visiting guidelines for Blackwood, will be in accordance with Beechworth Health’s current visiting policy (Ph: 03 5728 0200)
Albury Wodonga Health facility entry points
To keep our community, patients and hospital environments safe, all visitors will be required to enter our facilities via designated entry points:
- Albury Hospital via the main entrance (front reception) and the Emergency Department after hours only.
- Wodonga Hospital via the main entrance (front reception) or Maternity main entrance if a designated maternity visitor only and via Emergency Departments after hours.
- For services other than hospital admission (outpatient), visitors will enter via the above entrances and the Wodonga Community Rehabilitation Centre, Vermont Street entrance as required.
- All other sites, including mental health facilities, access is via front reception only.
Visitor Screening
All visitors will be asked a series of COVID-19 related questions, have their temperature checked and details recorded upon arrival to the various Albury Wodonga Health facilities.
Visitors will NOT be permitted to enter if they:
- Have any COVID-19 (Coronavirus) symptoms i.e. fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell or loss of sense of taste.
- Are awaiting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) test results.
- Have been in close personal contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case.
- Have been contacted by a Public Health Unit and identified as a close contact in the past 14 days.
- If you or a member of your household have arrived in Australia from a place outside Australia on a flight from an overseas location that is NOT designated by the Australian Government as a green travel zone? (e.g. any overseas flight except from New Zealand).
Condition of Entry for Visitors
- All visitors in hospitals must have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and provide evidence of same OR must return a negative RAT result onsite before entering.
- The only unvaccinated visitors (whom have not been able to have a RAT test performed) permitted to enter any AWH campus must be visiting for one the following reasons only and must wear and N95 mask:
- Patients at end of life/life threatening condition
- Nominated person/visitor of a patient under the Mental Health Act
- At the discretion of the EDONM/EDMHAO&PH/COO/ADON/Director on Call (permission must be sought)
- Adult visitors who have not received two doses of vaccine but have a negative RAT, must wear an N95 mask during their visit.
- All permitted double vaccinated visitors must wear a surgical mask
- Standard face masks are mandated for children aged 8 and above.
The Hydrotherapy Pool at the Albury campus is closed and will remain so until further notice.