Visitor update
Visitor restrictions are still in place across our hospital and residential care facilities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While the mandatory pandemic orders have ended, some restrictions are still in place to prevent the risk of COVID transmission to protect staff, patients and families in high-risk settings like aged care, disability settings and hospitals.
If you are planning a visit it is important you are aware of our entry requirements and consider alternatives such as phone calls and video chat. Visitor restrictions may change rapidly in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Screening and entry requirements
Please see below a summary of the visitor guidelines at Maryborough Hospital and our Residential Aged Care communities in Avoca, Dunolly and WattleRise Maryborough.
All visitors must check-in via our Zipline process and wear the provided surgical mask.
Our Zipline check-in process includes temperature checks, and a declaration confirming you are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past seven days or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result.
Surgical masks must be worn at all times and across all locations across the health service. N95 respirator masks (P2 masks) are available and must be worn in high risk areas such as the Urgent Care Centre.
Food and drink must not be consumed by visitors at the bedside to avoid the need for mask removal.
We ask the community to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before attending the health service to check COVID-19 status.
All visitors to acute wards and aged care facilities must show evidence of a negative antigen test (RAT) result on the day of the visit, regardless of vaccination status.
Anyone who has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19 or is a close contact of someone with COVID-19 should not visit the health service or aged care facilities unless you have sought approval for visiting under exceptional circumstances (see below).
Visits are not permitted in communal areas unless they are conducted outside.
Hospital visitor requirements
Visiting hours
Visitor hours at Maryborough Hospital are 10.00am – 4.00pm, seven days a week. Partners of patients on the maternity ward may visit from 8.00am – 8.00pm. Rooms are monitored to ensure density limits are maintained.
Permitted visitors
Acute ward: There are no limits on the number of visitors per day. However, there is a maximum of two visitors at a time per shared room in order to maintain density limits. Children under the age of 16 years can only visit for compassionate reasons (see below).
Theatre/day surgery: One (1) designated vaccinated support person for permitted reasons only.
Birth suite: One primary support person and an additional support person can be with a patient during labour and birth, with no time limit.
Maternity ward: One non-birthing parent may visit between 8.00am to 8.00pm.
Urgent Care Centre: One (1) support person if required, and must wear a supplied surgical mask.
Outpatients appointments/ Medical imaging: One (1) support person if required, and must wear a supplied surgical mask.
Children and babies: Please do not bring children to the hospital at this time unless exceptional circumstances apply. Babies 12 months or younger may accompany their care-giver.
Residential communities – aged care visitor requirements
Permitted visitors
Our usual visitor hours in our residential communities are 10.00am to 2.30pm on week days.
There is no limit on the number or age of visitors, or the length of stay for each visit, during visiting hours. We can facilitate visits on weekends and after hours by arrangement. Please contact the ward clerk/Nurse Unit Manager to facilitate RAT testing outside standard visiting hours.
Visits are not permitted in communal areas unless they occur outside.
All visitors are required to check in via Zipline and must show evidence of a negative RAT test on-site prior to entry, regardless of vaccination status. Surgical masks must be worn at all times.
Please note in the event of an outbreak, restrictions may change rapidly and staff will inform nominated family contacts directly. Please contact the ward clerk/Nurse Unit Manager for up-to-date information on visitor requirements during an outbreak.
Exceptional / special circumstances*
Please contact individual units for more information as exemptions for meeting visitor requirements must be discussed with the authorised Nurse Unit Manager or After Hours Coordinator.
Permitted reasons for testing and vaccination entry exemptions include:
- A person who is a parent, carer or guardian of a patient
- A person who is a support person or partner of a pregnant patient in the hospital
- A person who is an immediate family member of a patient whose medical condition is life-threatening
- A person providing end of life support (this may include visits for people aged under 16 years)
Smoke-free health service
MDHS is a completely smoke-free organisation and provides a smoke-free environment for employees, patients, clients, residents, contractors, volunteers and families.
The health service has a responsibility to provide an environment free of tobacco-related risk and be a leader in promoting the health benefits of a smoke-free workplace; this applied to a building or outdoor area within the boundaries of any campus.
MDHS staff, patients, and clients who smoke are encouraged and can be supported to reduce or stop smoking with access to a smoking cessation facilitator.
Please contact the Customer Excellence team on 5461 0333 for more information.