University of Canberra Hospital

Updated 29 June 2021

Changes to keep you safe

Given the evolving COVID-19 situation in Australia, health care facilities in the ACT have made precautionary changes to keep our most vulnerable patients safe and to further protect staff and visitors.

Surgical face masks

Surgical face masks are now mandatory at all health facilities across Canberra, including hospitals, community health centres and walk-in centres.

Masks will be handed out at all screening points on entry to the facility and you must wear a new mask each day.

Masks may be removed in the following circumstances (while maintaining 1.5m distance wherever possible):

• While eating and drinking
• While communicating with another person who is deaf or hard of hearing
• If wearing a mask creates a risk to health and safety, or security
• Where clear enunciation or visibility of your mouth is essential
• Where the removal of a face mask is necessary for the provision of a good or service

Mask-wearing is not required for:

• persons aged 12 years or under
• Anyone with a disability or physical or mental health illness or condition that makes wearing a face mask unsuitable. For example, a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma.

If you are a patient, visitor or carer and have any questions or concerns, please speak to your treating team or someone on the ward.

Visitor restrictions

Visitor restrictions are currently in place at all hospitals, community health centres and walk-in centres in the ACT.

The decision to continue to restrict visitors to our health facilities is always a difficult one, but it ensures we can protect the health and safety of everyone. This is especially necessary for our most vulnerable, particularly patients whose health is already compromised.

The visitor policy includes:

• One visitor per patient, per day.
• Admitted babies, children and young people (0-17 years) may have one parent/carer present at all times, with an additional visitor up to one hour each day.
• Women attending antenatal outpatient appointments can be accompanied by a support person.
• Women admitted for care related to birthing may have up to two support persons present. This should be pre-planned with the relevant midwifery and obstetric treating team during antenatal care.
• Patients attending an outpatient and/or a community health clinic(s) should, where possible, attend alone. If patients do require a support person, this should be limited to one person.

All COVID-19 safe principles and behaviours continue to apply to all visitors.

Children and young people (0-17 years) should avoid visiting health facilities, where possible.

Compassionate exceptions to the visitor policy will continue to be determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the relevant treating team and executive staff.

Surgical masks are available at screening points upon entering our facilities.

We understand these times can be stressful and we thank you for your patience.

We have zero tolerance for violence or aggression towards our staff or others.

Anyone exhibiting this behaviour may be refused entry.

Digital screening

Please make sure you complete a digital screening tool before entering a health facility in the ACT.

You can access the tool via the ACT Health app or online at screening.covid19.act.gov.au, or by scanning the QR code you will see displayed at various locations around health services.

Surgical masks are available at screening points upon entering our facilities.

COVID-19 safe behaviour

This is a timely reminder that we must remain vigilant to the threat of COVID-19 and ensure we are observing all COVID-safe behaviours. 

Please maintain physical distancing, wear a surgical mask and practice good hand hygiene protocols.

For more information visit: www.covid19.act.gov.au