Our patients are vulnerable and we want to reduce the risk of them contracting COVID-19 from visitors. Please follow the restrictions to keep everyone safe.
Please do not visit if you have symptoms and we strongly recommend you do a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before visiting a loved one.
We request all visitors:
- Do not visit if COVID-19 positive, have COVID-19 symptoms or are a close contact.
- Wear a surgical mask in all clinical areas, wards and waiting rooms at University Hospital Geelong, McKellar Centre Inpatient Rehabilitation, Aged Care Centre and at Barwon Health North.
- Maintain 1.5m social distancing.
- Perform hand hygiene.
Visiting University Hospital Geelong Wards & McKellar Inpatient Rehabilitation Centre
- Visiting hours are between 10am and 8pm.
- If visiting a shared room, please respect the needs of the other patients and keep visitor numbers to a minimum.
- Surgical masks are required for visitors in all clinical areas, wards and waiting rooms.
- Food and drink must not be consumed by visitors at the bedside in these areas to avoid the need to remove masks.
- 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. Visitors who are COVID-19 positive may visit in extenuating circumstances (e.g. end-of-life of a loved one, birth partner); however, the visit must be discussed with the nurse in charge prior to arrival.
- COVID-positive visitors and visitors to COVID-positive patients are only permitted under very rare circumstances and this should be discussed with the relevant Nurse Unit Manager.
- Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for end-of-life-care, in consultation with the relevant Nurse Unit Manager or After Hours Hospital Manager.
Other area-specific visitor guidance
Aged Care
- Visitors are requested to wear a surgical mask.
- There are no limits on time, number, or age of visitors to aged care. If there is an outbreak of COVID-19 within the facility, this may be subject to change to protect the vulnerable residents.
- Each visitor must return a negative RAT and sign-in prior to access.
- Designated ‘Partners in Care’ can visit residents during outbreaks.
- Visitors who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case or who are COVID-19 positive may visit in extenuating circumstances (e.g. end-of-life of a loved one); however, the visit must be discussed with the Facility Manager or Co-Director of Aged Care.
- Visitors entering during an outbreak will be met at the main entrance and placed in appropriate PPE. They will then be escorted through the building to visit their relative. They must follow all directions from Barwon Health staff.
- Visitors can only consume food and drink in a resident’s room (if no other residents are present) or in outdoor areas.
Patient deliveries to University Hospital Geelong
- Flowers and gifts can be delivered to patients.
- COVID-positive patients cannot receive flowers or gifts directly (aged care residents are exempt).
Thank you for helping to keep our patients and staff safe.
People seeking healthcare are not considered visitors and should not be denied access to healthcare for any reason.
Page last updated: November 4, 2024