Visiting Hours

Please note, due to COVID-19, temporary changes to visiting restrictions at GV Health have been introduced, effective immediately.

These requirements are in place to provide additional safety measures for patients, clients, residents, consumers and staff in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Requirements for Hospital

Visitors to patients, residents, clients and consumers are only able to occur for the reasons specified in the points below and are restricted to one visitor, with no more than one visitor per day:

  • To provide essential care or support for people living with mental health conditions or dementia.
  • Is the parent, carer or guardian of a person under the age of 18.
  • As a nominated person (as defined in the Mental Health Act 2014) and person’s presence as a visitor is for the purposes of matters relating to their role as a nominated person of the patient/client.
  • As an interpreter or to provide language support under strict circumstances and only where a video call or phone call is not able to be used.
  • To learn to support the patient/resident/client’s care upon discharge noting this should be for a maximum of 30 minutes.
  • As the partner or support person of a patient in maternity care or pregnancy in the Maternity Ward, Birth Suite or Operating Theatre, where the reason for attendance of the patient is for pregnancy care and the purpose of the visit is to attend the birth of the patient’s child.
  • To accompany a patient in the emergency department.

End of Life Visits

Patients/residents are restricted to two visitors at one time for the purpose of end of life visits as specified in the points below:

  • End of life means where a resident’s death is expected within 28 days or less.
  • Visitors do not have to be from the same household.
  • There are no time limits and no daily limit on visits.
  • No specified purpose is required.
  • Is immediate family (including kinship) of a patient with life-threatening condition unless a specific exemption is granted.
  • A group may exceed the “two visitors at a time” rule if dependents of a visitor (or patient in hospital) are in the group and care for the dependents cannot be arranged.

Visitors to Aged Care Residents and Care Facilities

  • Two visitors are able to visit a resident at any one time for a maximum of one hour.
  • Up to four visitors per day are able to visit GV Health’s aged care facilities.
  • Visitors must be over 12 years of age.
  • Visitors are required to comply with density limits in all GV Health facilities.
  • Density limits apply to communal spaces that are accessed by visitors and current density quotients limit visitors to one person for every four-square metres.
  • There is no daily limit on the number of visits for end of life care visits and people aged under 12 years are able to attend for end of life visits. End of life means where a resident’s death is expected within 28 days or less.
  • Where visitors are not fully vaccinated, visits should occur either outdoors or in the resident’s own room(s) and should not occur in common areas.

Aged Care and Care Facility Prospective Residents

A prospective resident can visit an aged care facility with up to two people accompanying the prospective resident.  Only one visit from a prospective resident and the two accompanying people is permitted each day.

Outings for Aged Care Residents and Care Facilities

  • Residents, clients and consumers can leave their care facilities for outings as long as this meets the requirements of the current public health orders.
  • Residents are requested to wear face masks on outings.
  • Residents are requested not to leave the care facility unless it is essential.

Record Keeping

GV Health is required to maintain records of visitors attending all areas across all GV Health sites.  Patients, visitors and staff are required to provide accurate information and all Department Heads are required to ensure record keeping processes in their areas are followed.

Entry Requirements for all visitors

Vaccination of Visitors

A visitor of a patient to a GV Health facility must not enter, or remain at, the hospital for the purpose of having in-person contact with any patient except if:

For visitors who are aged 18 years or over:

  • They are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this (for example Services Victoria App or copy of Vaccination Certificate with accompanying and separate identification); or
  • They are not fully vaccinated and
    • Present acceptable evidence of a negative result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test undertaken on the same day that the visitor attends the hospital or care facility and complete an accompanying declaration; and
    • Wear an N95 face covering provided by GV Health for the duration of their visit; or

For visitors who are aged under 18 years:

  • They are fully vaccinated; or
  • They are not fully vaccinated and present evidence of a negative result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test undertaken on the same day that the visitor attends the hospital the hospital or care facility and complete an accompanying declaration.

Note: GV Health will only provide rapid antigen tests for the purpose of visitor entry to its facilities under exceptional circumstances and solely at the discretion of GV Health.

Face Masks

Masks are required to be worn by all visitors at all times. Valid exemptions may apply and relevant documentation is required to be provided on request to GV Health staff. Should a person have a valid exemption regarding not wearing a face mask, they will be required to wear a face shield provided by GV Health.

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are 2:00pm – 6:00pm except for the following wards:

  • Child and Adolescent Unit: parents or a designated carer are able to be present 24 hours.
  • Maternity Unit: one support person between 9:00am – 11:00am and 2:00 – 6:00pm, rest period from 11:00am – 2:00pm.
  • Birth Suite: one support person.
  • Special Care Nursery: parents only and able to be present 24 hours.