We are pleased to announce further easing of visitor restrictions as we head into the holiday season. Changes vary across the health service, but in many areas, it will provide for increased visitor numbers and longer visiting hours.
You can view the updated visitor restrictions below. They will be effective from Monday 21 December.
An updated Visitor Restrictions poster is available here: MH_VisitationRestrictions_General_A3Poster_v46
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Please follow the advice of our local care teams regarding room capacity in the area you are visiting.
As a condition of entry, visitors must:
- Not visit if you are unwell
- Be screened for signs of COVID-19 on entry
- Register on entry
- Wear a mask
- Maintain 1.5m physical distance from others
- Follow staff instructions at all times
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times
Our team are working hard to help you, and deserve to feel respected and feel safe at work. Rudeness, bullying, threats, violence, racism, sexism or offensive language will not be tolerated.
General wards
Adults
- Three visitors are allowed between the hours of 11am and 8pm
- Please note: visitors to the Kingston Centre must enter by 7pm
Children (Under 18 years):
- Three visitors are allowed between the hours of 11am and 8pm
- Parents/guardians are welcome any time during the day, and one parent/guardian can stay overnight
Outpatients / Diagnostic Imaging / Pathology
- One support person may accompany a patient to an appointment.
Emergency Departments
- Two people may accompany and remain with a patient in the Emergency Department.
Intensive Care Unit
- Two visitors may visit a patient in Intensive Care between the hours of 11am and 8pm
Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) / Monash Newborn
- Two people can visit between 11am and 8pm, one of which must be a parent/guardian
- Parents/guardians are welcome anytime during the day, one can stay overnight
Births and Pregnancy Assessment
- One partner or support person may be present at any time.
Maternity wards
- Two visitors are welcome between 11am and 8pm,
- Partners are welcome between 8am and 8pm
Mental Health
Child (Oasis), Adolescent (Stepping Stones) and Perinatal and Infant Inpatient Unit
- Visitors (immediate family/carers) may attend at any time by appointment.
Youth and Adult Mental Health Inpatient Units
- Two patient nominated visitors per visit, by appointment only, once per day, for a maximum of three hours.
- Visiting hours are between 1–8pm daily
Unit 4 Dandenong Hospital (SECU)
- Two patient nominated visitors per visit, by appointment only, once per day, for a maximum of three hours.
- Visiting hours are between 1–8pm daily
Aged Persons Mental Health Units (Unit 3 and Biala)
- Two patient nominated visitors per visit, by appointment only, once per day, for a maximum of three hours.
- Visiting hours are between 1–7pm daily
Community Residential Units (Community Care Units, Transitional Support Unit, Prevention & Recovery Care Services)
- Two patient nominated visitors per visit, by appointment only, once per day, for a maximum of three hours.
- Visiting hours are between 10am-8pm daily.
Residential Aged Care
- Three people can visit between 9am–8pm daily.
- Room density limits apply in common areas.
- Visitors must have had an up-to-date flu vaccination and produce a certificate or sign a declaration stating they have had the vaccination. Visitors without a current flu vaccination must contact the facility ahead of visiting to ensure local arrangements can be made.
When visiting, people without a current influenza vaccination must:
- perform hand hygiene on entering and leaving the facility,
- apply a surgical face mask on entry to the facility,
- meet with the person they are visiting outside or in the resident’s room,
- maintain social distancing throughout the visit,
- leave the facility immediately after the visit is finished, and,
- not enter any common areas.
- Residents may leave the facility. On leaving the facility, residents must follow current public health directives.
Terminal Care or Life-threatening situations
- Four visitors can provide compassionate support for a patient at the late stages of a terminal illness or where there is a high risk of death in relation to impending treatment or surgery.
- Visits are not time-limited.
Unstable or deteriorating situations
- Four visitors can provide support to a patient whose condition has been assessed as unstable or deteriorating. Visits are not time-limited.
- Visiting hours are between 8am-8pm daily or as needed for acute deterioration.
Palliative care
- Three visitors can provide support for Palliative care patients whose condition is stable.
- Visiting hours are between 11am – 8pm daily.