For Waipuna Hospice, the protection of our patients, their families, our volunteers, staff and the wider community is paramount.

For the foreseeable future, we will be taking a precautionary approach to work and engagement with our community as the Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework and associated requirements are implemented.

This means that we will be asking people to adhere to the following requests when required.

  • Call us on 07 552 4380 prior to any visit, and adhere to any changes in visiting times and visitors numbers
  • Sign in using our displayed COVID-19 Tracing App QR codes or the supplied paper tracing forms
  • Masks – As per MOH direction, medical masks will be provided by Waipuna and must be worn.
  • Sanitise and wash hands regularly
  • Answer any screening questions our staff ask, such as ‘Do you have flu-like symptoms, fever, or acute respiratory illness? Have you been in a location of interest?
  • Provide proof of vaccination status if requested
  • Maintain a physical distance of 1.5m from staff, and any other people on site

With the situation constantly evolving, this page is a reference point to keep all of our supporters and families up to date. We will continue to review our policy to ensure it remains relevant and aligned to new developments. We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

For more information on the steps we are taking to keep our community safe, please see below.

For further information relating to the following Waipuna Hospice service or departments, please see below.

Inpatient Care and Visiting

Our Inpatient Unit (IPU) will continue to remain open during Orange, however, we ask that all visitors call us before visiting on 07 552 4380.

Within the traffic light system, we have altered our visiting hours to between the hours of 10.00am and 7.00pm. These may be altered at any time, please follow staff directions should this be the case.

The limit on visitors is one per patient at any one time – this will assist us to ensure the safety of everyone at Waipuna Hospice.

We ask that visitors please maintain a physical distance of 1.5m from staff, and any other people who are on site.

Masks (preferably medical quality) must be worn when staff are present, or in areas other than the patient room.

After the sign-in process, visitors must go directly to the patient’s room. There will be limited access to other parts of the building, i.e. kitchen, lounges, public toilets etc. Please ask staff.

Only one person can stay overnight at a time.

All visitors must use hand sanitiser on arrival and on departure.

All visitors will be asked to sign in, complete screening questions and agree to the terms of visiting. Please note that if required, this information will be used for contact tracing purposes. If these visitors/support people leave the site, they must complete the sign-in process once again.

Visitors will be asked for evidence of vaccination status, and if not vaccinated a negative COVID-19 test 48-72 hours before their visits may be required. Waipuna Hospice will identify ways to enable visiting by unvaccinated family members (e.g. visiting outside the rooms), other measures will be identified on a risk assessment basis.

We understand the impact this may have for families/whānau wanting to be together at what we understand is a very difficult time. Staff will be happy to discuss this further with family/whānau members.

We continue to ask the following questions if you are planning to visit Waipuna Hospice:

  • Are you are at risk of having COVID-19?
  • Have you been in close physical contact with someone who is suspected of or is a confirmed case of COVID-19?
  • Do you have flu-like symptoms, fever, or acute respiratory illness?
  • Have you been to a location of interest?

If you are planning to visit the Inpatient Unit and have answered YES to any of the above – DO NOT ENTER THE HOSPICE BUILDINGS – please call us on 07 552 4380 for advice and support.

Patient Admissions

Patients admitted to IPU from other health providers (or out of the region) will require a COVID-19 screen as per the new protection framework facility screening tool and a negative COVID-19 swab.

Patients admitted to IPU from the community (own home) to IPU will require a COVID-19 screen & assessment.

Education Services

On-site educational services at Waipuna Hospice will be postponed during Red, with online education methods explored on a case by case basis.

Outpatient Appointments

There will be no out-patient appointments during Red level.

Patient and Family Support

Waipuna Hospice family support services will be offered via zoom/online communication tools. Our team will discuss this with you prior to your appointment and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the process.

Volunteering

On-site volunteering services will not run during Red, including massage. Community volunteers may continue with patient telephone calls.

If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to call us on 07 552 4380.