Visitor & Support Person

Procedure
1.

Procedure Number

Version Nos:

CHC-PC-0012

Purpose
This Procedure is performed as a means of providing visitation and to assure the safety of West
Coast District Health Board (WCDHB) Inpatients and staff members.

2.

Application/Responsibilities
This Procedure is to be followed by all WCDHB staff members, Inpatients and their
visitors/support person.

3.

Definitions
There are no definitions associated with this Procedure.

4.

Responsibilities
For the purposes of this Procedure:

Patient/clients are required to inform WCDHB staff members if they do not wish to receive
visitors

Visitors/Support Persons are required to accept the directions of WCDHB staff members and
respect the rights of staff members, other patients/clients and their visitors.

WCDHB staff members are required to :

- make reasonable efforts to accommodate visitors
- explain to visitors that if is not possible to visit the patient/client;
- answer any questions that visitors may have.

Patient/clients Responsible Clinician is required to:

- restrict visitors only where they would be detrimental to the interests or treatment of the
patient/client, or it would create a risk to patient/client, staff members or public safety;
- document the restrictions in the patient/clients clinical record;
- review the restrictions on a daily basis
5.

Resources Required
This Procedure requires no specific resources.

6.

Process
1.00

Introduction

1.01

WCDHB will make every effort to accommodate patient/client visitors where it is clinically
appropriate.

1.02

WCDHB recognises visits from family/whanau/friends and other supportive persons

enhances the care provided by WCDHB services and increases the patient/clients
successful return to the community.

1.03

The staff member assigned to the Inpatient is responsible for

patients/visitors/support persons about the requirements of this Procedure
Uncontrolled Document West Coast District Health Board

educating
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Visitor & Support Person

Procedure

Procedure Number

Version Nos:

CHC-PC-0012

1.04

Visits to a patient should be beneficial to both the patient and visitor. Where staff have
any concerns regarding this, they are to discuss with the patient/their representative
whether or not the visit will be therapeutic and desired (See also Section 1.05 and 1.09)

1.05

Visits should not interfere with patient/client involvement in scheduled treatment

activities. However WCDHB staff are encouraged to make reasonable efforts to
accommodate patient/client visitors, and explain to the visitors why it is not possible to
visit the patient/client, and then make a time when they can visit the patient/client.

1.06

Patients/clients have the right to refuse visitors. When this occurs WCDHB staff are to
explain the circumstance to the visitor. Information about the patient/clients refusal is to
be recorded in their clinical record.

1.07

WCDHB staff members are to make reasonable efforts to meet with visitors when
requested.

1.08

Visitors and their possessions will not be searched by WCDHB staff, but any item given to
the patient/client may be checked for dangerous items (See WCDHB Search Of Patients
Procedure)

1.09

Visitors who are intoxicated, abusive or other wise disruptive to patient/client treatment or
the safe operation of WCDHB will be asked to leave the WCDHB Hospital.

1.10

Visitors may be restricted from accessing patients who have a communicable disease. This
decision will be made by the patients responsible clinician. Visitors may also be required
to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

1.11

Visitors may be restricted from accessing patients where there is a risk of a communicable
disease being brought into the Facility from the community. This decision is to be made
by the relevant Facility Manager in consultation with the Infection Control Advisor and
Chief Medical Advisor.

1.12

Patient/client visitation by children is welcomed provided it is beneficial to both the

patient/client and the children. Children visiting a WCDHB Hospital are to be
accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

1.13

If children visiting a patient/client are disturbing other patients/clients or WCDHB staff

members, then the responsible adult is to be asked by a WCDHB staff member to correct
the situation.

1.14

Visitors to a patient/client may only be restricted where the patient/clients responsible

clinician believes that visitors would be detrimental to the interests or treatment of the
patient/client, or it would create a risk to patient/client, staff members or public safety.
Restrictions must be documented in the patient/clients clinical record and reviewed on a
daily basis. Staff members are to attempt to contact persons restricted from visiting to
inform them about the restriction, and also when the restriction is lifted.

1.15

Patient/clients are allowed to have a support person present when they are receiving a
service from WCDHB, except where the safety of any person may be compromised, or the
rights of another patient/client may be unreasonably infringed. (see also WCDHB Third
Person present During Consultation Procedure).
Uncontrolled Document West Coast District Health Board

Visitor & Support Person

Procedure

Procedure Number

Version Nos:

CHC-PC-0012

2.00

Visitors To the Operating Theatre

2.01

Excess persons within the Operating Theatre can lead to problems of unsterility and also
affect the ability of staff to work effectively within a limited space, especially in
emergency/acute situations.

2.02

WCDHB will make every effort to accommodate patient/client visitors/support persons in

the Operating Theatre where it is clinically appropriate, and in the following circumstances:
(i)
One visitor/support person only allowed per patient;
A Guardian/Parent/Caregiver may accompany a child into the Operating Theatre;
(ii)
Women having a Caesarean Section may have only one support person present.
(iii)

2.03

Prior permission must be obtained from the patient/clients (or their representative)
Surgeon, Anaesthetist, or Operating Theatre Manager, and this is to be documented in the
patients clinical record.

2.04

The visitor/support person will be required to leave if an emergency situation develops.

The visitor/support person will be escorted to the reception area of the Operating Theatre
by a staff member.

2.05

All visitors/support persons who have been given permission to accompany the patient
must wear a Visitors ID Tag, available from the Operating Theatre Reception. (See
WCDHB Visitor Identification Procedure).

2.06

All Operating Theatre staff are to be informed by the Surgeon, Anaesthetist, or Operating
Theatre Manager that visitor(s)/support person(s) are to be present in the Operating
Theatre.

3.00

Visitors To PACU

3.01

Generally the PACU is not the ideal situation for visits, as it is an acute area, small in size
and as such is not appropriate for normal ward activities . Restricting access to the PACU
is in order for the PACU to function effectively as a recovery room, and is done in the best
interests of patients.

3.02

However, there may be circumstances where visitors may be allowed into the PACU to see
a patient.

3.03

Visitor access is at the discretion of the Team Leader, PACU.

3.04

The decision to allow visitor access to the PACU is to be based on the following:
(i)
appropriateness of the visit; and
(ii)
relationship of the visitors to the patient; and
(iii)
patients condition; and
(iv)
number of patients present in the PACU ad their condition; and
(v)
total work load of the PACU; and
(vi)
pending patient arrivals into the PACU.

3.05

The visitor(s) may be asked to leave if an emergency situation develops. The visitor(s) is to
be escorted to the reception area of the Operating Theatre.
Uncontrolled Document West Coast District Health Board

Visitor & Support Person

Procedure

Procedure Number

Version Nos:

CHC-PC-0012

4.00

Mental Health Inpatient Unit

4.01

At the earliest opportunity following admission, the Primary Nurse and the Client will draw
up a contact plan, identifying potential visitors the client would like to see and any
limitations agreed to. This should be recorded in the clients file and reviewed as necessary
during the progress of the admission.

4.02

When a visit cannot be accommodated (client too unwell, child/young person reluctant,
ward environment unstable), staff will explore other forms of contact with the client and
family/Whanau and ensure support for the family including the children and young people
is offered.

4.03

Reasons for a decision not to allow visits should be documented in the clients file

4.04

Decisions to not allow visits, need to be continually reassessed to accommodate the clients
changing mental state, and/or the ward environment

4.05

The ICU is generally not a suitable area for children/young people to visit, although the
primary nurse in conjunction with the consultant psychiatrist have discretionary powers to
allow this if they assess it as appropriate. All visitors to the ICU must be prearranged.

4.06

Children /young people 0 -15 years of age, may only visit when accompanied by an adult,
who is responsible for maintaining direct supervision of the child for the entire time the
child is present on the ward

4.07

Young people 16-17years may visit unsupervised, after arranging this with the primary
nurse or team leader.

4.08

Ward staff will identify the designated visiting area, and explain to the supervising adult
their responsibility for keeping the Child /Young Person safe and in this area. If the adult
visitor fails to maintain adequate supervision the visit will be terminated and they will be
asked to leave the Unit.

4.09

Should the Child /young person become distressed while in the ward, the visit may be
terminated and the family offered support by the staff and the child/ young person
referred to the Child & Adult Resource Worker.

4.10

Client files should be updated with details of the visit, any observations relevant to care
planning and any actions resulting from that visit

5.00

Grey Base Hospital

5.01

The visiting hours for Grey Base Hospital are as follows:

i) General Wards 2.00 pm to 7.30 pm (14.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs)
ii) Kahurangi Dementia Unit unrestricted visiting hours
iii) Manaakitanga Inpatient Unit - 2.00 pm to 7.30 pm (14.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs)
iv) Maternity & Paediatric Wards family/whanau may visit at any time,
other persons 2.00 pm to 7.30 pm (14.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs)
v) Critical Care Unit Immediate family/whanau only

Uncontrolled Document West Coast District Health Board

Visitor & Support Person

Procedure

8.

Version Nos:

CHC-PC-0012

6.00

Buller Hospital

6.01

Foote Ward patients have a defined rest period between 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm (14.00 to
15.30 hrs) daily.

6.02

During this time period access to patients by visitors is restricted.

6.03

There are no restrictions on visitors for Dunsford, Kawatiri and Kynnersley. However,
Staff in charge of these areas, may at their discretion, restrict visitors due to clinical or
safety reasons.

7.00

Reefton Hospital

7.01

7.

Procedure Number

There are no restrictions on visitors for Reefton Hospital. However, Staff in charge of
the various areas within Reefton Hospital, may at their discretion, restrict visitors due to
clinical or safety reasons.

Precautions And Considerations

WCDHB will make every effort to accommodate visitors when clinically appropriate.

Visits should not interfere with patient/client involvement in scheduled treatment activities

Visitors may be restricted if visits interfere with patient/client treatment or create a risk to
patient/client, staff members or public safety.

References
Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers Rights (1996)

9.

Related Documents
WCDHB Clinical Documentation Procedure
WCDHB Search Of Patients Procedures
WCDHB Third Person Present During Consultation Procedure

Version:
Developed By:

Revision
History

Authorised By:
Date Authorised:
Date Last Reviewed:
Date Of Next Review:

6
Quality Improvement Co-Ordinator
Chief Executive Officer
January 1998
February 2010
February 2012

Uncontrolled Document West Coast District Health Board