Visitor information

As restrictions have eased across the state, so too have our visitor restrictions. COVID remains a real threat to our vulnerable patients, so our policy allows some visitors back while protecting the people in our care.

We request all visitors practise both social distancing and good personal hygiene, including regular hand washing and the use of hand hygiene solution, as you move through our facilities. Masks are required for everyone aged eight and above.

Why do we still have restrictions on visiting a loved one in hospital?

Visiting hours at University Hospital Geelong are between 10am and 8pm.

Visiting patients at University Hospital Geelong

People seeking healthcare (inpatient or clinic appointments, eg outpatients, imaging etc) are not considered visitors and should not be denied access to healthcare for ANY reason.

Permitted Visitors:

Visitors must wear a surgical mask at all times.
Wards:

TWO visitors per person/per day for a maximum of TWO hours each.
UNVACCINATED visitors must wear an N95 mask at all times.
Visitors cannot attend if they display either COVID-19 symptoms or are a CLOSE CONTACT of a COVID-19 positive case.
A COVID-19 Close Contact may only visit for compassionate grounds and will require an exemption from the Barwon Health Public Health Unit by calling 03 4215 3531 in order to visit.

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted as visitors.

COVID positive visitors are only permitted under very rare circumstances and this should be discussed with the relevant Nurse Unit Manager and approved by the Access & Resource Manager in consultation with the Public Health Unit.

NOTE: COVID-19 Positive visitors must be granted permission to leave their home by an appropriate Authorising Officer by contacting the Public Health Unit 03 4215 3531.

Children's Ward and Special Care Nursery

Children’s Ward – one parent/guardian is permitted to accompany the child at all times and one other vaccinated visitor for up to 2 hrs per day. If the parent/guardian is unvaccinated they must wear an N95 mask.
Special Care Nursery - one parent/guardian is permitted to accompany the infant during the day and one other vaccinated visitor for up to 2 hrs per day. If the parent/guardian is unvaccinated they must wear an N95 mask.
Children under the age of 16 are not permitted as visitors.

Maternity and Birth Suite

Birth Suite – One primary support person for birth plus one other that must be vaccinated. Please note that unvaccinated support persons will not be able to accompany their partner if theatre is required.
Maternity Ward - TWO vaccinated visitors can visit per patient/per day for a maximum of 2 hours each.
Children under the age of 16 are not permitted as visitors.

Emergency Department

ED consumers are permitted to be accompanied by ONE support person where required.
We encourage consumers to limit the need for this support person for minor illness / injury – related presentations, to enable safe physical distancing in our waiting areas and treatment spaces in the ED.
Adults in SCOVID / COVID precautions are not permitted to have a support person unless authorised by the Nurse in Charge (eg. End of life, significant behaviours of concern).
All children may be accompanied by ONE parent.

Please encourage a support person to remain for those presenting with psychological distress and/or mental illness, those with a disability or sensory impairment, consumers with cognitive impairment or to enable trauma-informed care (eg. Patients with bleeding in early pregnancy).

Aged Care

Outpatient and medical imaging appointments

Patient deliveries to University Hospital Geelong

Flowers and gifts can now be delivered to patients where the person delivering is fully vaccinated. Patients in Baxter 7 or COVID-positive patients in other areas cannot receive flowers or gifts.

Flowers and gifts can be left at the main entrance reception if the person delivering is not vaccinated.

Food deliveries are not permitted for any patient.

Tips on wearing a mask

All visitors are instructed:

To wear the appropriate surgical/N95 mask at all times whilst within a Barwon Health facility.
To avoid touching the mask whilst it is being worn.
Unvaccinated visitors must wear the provided N95 mask at all times.

Entry points

Barwon Health has limited the number of public entrances to assist with the screening of visitors. The entry points are:

University Hospital Geelong

All visitors to enter through the following entrances:

All visitors to enter through the main entrance on Bellerine Street.
Patients attending appointments at Andrew Love Cancer Centre can use the entrance on Swanston Street.

McKellar Centre Inpatient Rehabilitation

All visitors to enter through the Inpatient Rehabilitation Centre (IRC) entrance and Palliative Care

Thank you for helping keep our patients and staff safe.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27 April 2022

Patients & Visitors