Visitors & visiting hours

New visitor arrangements at Alfred Health

Due to physical distancing requirements we continue to receive visitors to our hospitals for essential visits only*. These changes apply from Wednesday, 2 March 2021.

*An essential visit is one made by close family members or a significant other. Social visits are not essential visits.

We appreciate the ongoing support from our community as we continue to keep our hospitals safe for our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At risk locations across Australia and overseas

On arrival to our hospitals, all visitors will be asked whether they or anyone they live with have visited current risk locations across Australia or overseas. If you have visited any of the locations listed as orange or red zones as per the latest Victorian Government advice, you will not be permitted entry to the hospital until further notice. Your support in this matter is appreciated.

For our general wards:

• Maximum of two visitors per patient per day during visiting hours. One visitor at a time at the bedside to support physical distancing.
• Children are permitted to visit, maximum of one child accompanied by one adult per day.
• Visits between 10am - 1pm and 3pm - 7pm.

For our Intensive Care Unit

• All visitors for ICU patients must be nominated*.
• Maximum of four hours visiting per patient per day, only two visitors at the bedside at the same time.
• Appointments are requried - contact Ph:9076 2000 and ask to be put through to the ICU Visitor Coordinator.
• Visiting slots for ICU are between 10.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 6.30pm.

*Nominated visitors can be adjusted at the request of the patient. If requested, it is recommended that this occurs no more frequently than every 72 hours.

Alternatives to visiting

Alternatives to visiting such as phone calls and video chat are available. Please speak with your nurse on the ward if you need support with this. Our staff can also provide a care update to a contact person nominated by you, however this may take longer than usual as we are increasingly caring for more patients. Please let your nurse/doctor know if you would like this to occur.

Visiting at the Women’s at Sandringham

• Birth Suite Patients: One partner or support person. No time limitations while in birth suite.
• Post Natal Wards: One visitor per patient for the duration of two hours.
• Special Care Nursery: Parents only: unrestricted visiting.

For our Emergency Departments 

• One person can accompany a patient and remain in the Emergency Department if physical distancing can be maintained.  
• Visiting the Emergency Department or Emergency Short Stay Unit will be determined by the clinical team; the Nurse and Doctor in-charge.

Condition of entry to our hospitals

Visitors must: 

• Only visit when essential
• Be screened and checked in at entry before proceeding to the wards
• ​Sign the Visitor Register at the relevant ward reception, on arrival and departure
• Wear masks provided by Alfred Health throughout the visit*
• Maintain physical distance
• Follow staff instructions at all times.

* Do children need to wear a face mask?

As per DHHS advice, children and people aged 12 years and older should wear a face mask when indoors, and outdoors where 1.5 metres distance cannot be maintained. Children under the age of 12 years do not have to wear a face mask but individual families can make their own decisions regarding their children. Children who are two years old and under should never wear a face mask or covering due to choking and strangulation risks. Any child with COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 should not visit.

Special considerations

Special considerations are in place for visiting, critical, palliative inpatients or those with a complex disability.

• Maximum of one person at the bedside at one time from 8am-7pm
• Patients nearing end of life are allowed two visitors at a time, at any time of day

Attending appointments and day treatment areas

• The presence of a carer/support person is permitted when the patient requires assistance with communication, wayfinding, mobility, personal care or behaviour management.