Ata Rangi restricting visiting

July 21, 2009

Ata Rangi restricting visiting

Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s maternity unit, Ata Rangi, will lock down its main entrance from 4pm each afternoon until 7am to help enforce visiting hours and restrict visitors to the unit.

Service manager women, children and youth services, Rika Hentschel said unlike the rest of the hospital, visitors were not sticking to visiting hours and were not limiting visitor numbers to two per patient.

Pregnant women and newborn babies were one of the most at risk groups from New Influenza A H1N1 Swine Flu and the unit would be strictly enforcing visiting hours and limiting visitors to patients.

Mrs Hentschel said she hoped the public would support the restrictions which were in place to protect the health of expectant mothers, new mothers and newborn babies.

“We have had some experience over the last week, where members of the public have been upset over restrictions - but I am sure most people would understand that we need to do this to protect the health of patients.

“Our concern is for the safety and wellbeing of mothers and babies - they are very vulnerable to Swine flu and other infections,” she said.

Access from 4pm to 8pm to the unit would be through the hospital’s main Omahu Road entrance.

Visitors with flu like illnesses are asked to stay away, and parents are also being asked to keep visitng children away from the hospital to help limit the spread of influenza illnesses.

Birthing mothers should continue to use Ata Rangi’s after hour’s entrance as usual
Ends

© Scoop Media