NSW Health continues to focus on providing a safe health service for patients, their families and carers, and our staff, while we provide kind and compassionate care.
Advice for visiting our hospitals is as follows:
- Visiting to General Wards at Wollongong Hospital:
- 10am to 8pm each day. - Visiting to General Wards at Port Kembla Hospital
- 1pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday
- 10am to 8pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. - Visiting to General Wards at Bulli, Coledale, David Berry, Milton Ulladulla, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Hospitals:
- 8am to 8pm each day. - Visitor numbers are no longer restricted to two visitors at a time, however restrictions on large groups will still apply in order to meet physical distancing and privacy requirements.
Please note, local arrangements still apply for some specific areas / wards (ie Intensive Care Unit, Mental Health, Birthing / Maternity Units, and Paediatrics / Neonatal). Rehabilitation Wards commence later visiting at 3pm, with exemptions for individual patients as required. Please speak with ward staff to discuss individual circumstances.
Do not visit if...
Please do not visit if you are unwell with any respiratory symptoms including cough, runny nose or sore throat.
We understand that having a loved one in hospital is difficult, but please do not put them at risk by visiting if you are unwell. You may be kindly asked to leave the ward if you develop respiratory symptoms during your visit.
People who have tested positive to COVID-19 are also advised not to visit people in hospital for at least seven days. In addition, people who live with or have spent a long time with a person with COVID-19 (eg they spent the evening indoors with them, drove a long distance together or looked after children who are now positive) should avoid visiting high-risk settings including hospitals for at least seven days. Please note, exemptions to these restrictions may be permitted on compassionate grounds and on a case-by-case basis, such as for birthing and palliative care, by speaking directly with the ward.
Masks
Masks remain a condition of entry to our hospitals and health facilities, unless you have a valid exemption. All visitors must wear masks correctly - ensuring the mouth and nose remain covered at all times. Children aged 12 and under are not required to wear a mask.
Visiting a COVID-positive patient
Please contact the hospital before attending for a visit.
Your request to visit will be clinically assessed and some restrictions may apply.
Antenatal, Birthing and Maternity
Antenatal
There are no specific restrictions on the number of support people, however in some situations, such as if there is limited space in a particular clinic, the number of support people may need to be reduced to ensure appropriate physical distancing can be maintained.
Birthing Unit
During labour and birth, mothers are able to be supported by up to two people (participants in care). Please speak to the ward staff if you have any individual circumstances or questions.
People with COVID-19 may attend as a participant in care during labour, birth and the immediate postnatal period, provided they have the informed consent of the pregnant woman, permission of staff and they agree to comply with specific requirements.
Birthing women who have COVID-19 should discuss individual arrangements with ward staff.
Maternity Ward
- Postnatally, the partner/support person can visit the maternity ward for unrestricted time periods between 8am and 8pm.
- Additionally, other visitors (including siblings) are permitted from 11am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm.
Paediatrics and Neonatal
Children can have both parents/carers at any time with no restrictions on the length of visit.
End-of-life patients
Where a patient is receiving end of life care, visitors will be limited only to the extent required to minimise any risk.
In end of life situations, people who have COVID-19 can be risk assessed to visit a direct family member.
Outpatient clinics
There are no specific restrictions on the number of support people, however in some situations, such as if there is limited space in a particular clinic, the number of support people may need to be reduced to ensure appropriate physical distancing can be maintained.