Flexible visiting helps support safe, quality care. Patients can have a chosen support person with them, providing comfort and reassurance. Flexible visiting also helps families feel informed and supported, improving communication with the care team and understanding of the patient’s care.

Visiting University Hospital Geelong Wards & McKellar Inpatient Rehabilitation Centre

Visiting hours at University Hospital Geelong and McKellar Inpatient Rehabilitation Centre are generally 10am to 8pm, subject to the following considerations:

The next of kin, identified support person or family may visit outside of these hours with approval from the nurse in charge.
Patients and their next of kin, as members of the care team, may place limitations on visitation by informing nursing staff.
Rest periods are determined by individual patient preference and the clinical assessment of nursing and medical staff.
Visitors who are unwell, have an infection, or have symptoms of any respiratory or flu-like illness are encouraged not to attend or to leave the hospital if already on-site.
The number of visitors permitted at the bedside at any one time is determined in collaboration with the patient, family and care team based on the patient’s medical, emotional and psychological needs.
In multi-bed rooms, visitors numbers are also subject to physical space limitations and ward activity. As a guide, a maximum of two visitors per bedside may be permitted in areas such as Special Care Nursery, Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and Emergency Department (ED) when clinically appropriate.

Hospital access after hours

University Hospital Geelong is secured at 8pm each evening. Visitors arriving after 8pm may access the hospital via the Emergency Department.

Other area-specific visitor guidance

Residential Aged Care

There are no specified visiting hours. Visitors are expected to respect residents’ privacy and dignity, particularly during peak care times in the morning. Refer to the Residential Aged Care Resident Information Booklet for further details.

Mental Health

Acute mental health: No specified visiting hours. Visitor access is via request at reception at the main entrance.
PARC/Community Rehabilitation Facility (CRF): No specified visiting hours. Limitations may apply due to gender-specific cottages on site.

Areas with 24-hour visitation

Birth Suite: One primary support person for birth, plus one additional support person.
Paediatrics and Special Care Nursery: Parents/caregivers or grandparents with parental approval.
Emergency Department: Family member or identified support person.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) visiting arrangements are at the discretion of the Nurse Unit Manager.

Patient deliveries to University Hospital Geelong

Flowers and gifts can be delivered to patients.

Limiting visitation across Barwon Health sites

Barwon Health reserves the right to limit or deny visitation in the following circumstances:

A visitor is subject to legal restrictions, such as an intervention order.
The patient lacks capacity to make informed decisions and has no identified next of kin.
The presence of a visitor poses a risk to the health or safety of the patient, other patients or staff.
Unacceptable, disruptive or threatening behaviour toward patients or staff, or behaviour that infringes on the rights of others.
Smoking, or the consumption of alcohol or illegal substances while on-site.
The patient has expressed they do not wish to receive visitors or does not wish a specific individual to visit.
Visitors display symptoms of gastroenteritis or viral respiratory illness, particularly where patients are immounocompromised.
The patient has a highly infectious disease that places visitors at significant risk.