As we move into the festive season, we have updated our guidelines for visiting at Monash Health.
These changes recognise the important role that visitors play in the wellbeing of our patients while balancing the need to provide a restful space for recovery and keeping our people, patients and community as safe as possible.
From 8 am Wednesday 13 December, the following visiting guidance will apply in most clinical settings across Monash Health:
- Visiting hours will be from 8 am to 8 pm. Visits outside these times are by arrangement.
- Two visitors will be permitted at any one time (or as agreed).
- Visitors can visit for any length of time during visiting hours unless otherwise advised.
- Consumers can decide who may visit them and when they want to receive visitors, including the option to request no visitors.
- The number of children visiting may be limited according to specific situations.
- Where patients are unable to receive visitors in person, we will encourage virtual visiting.
- Visitors should use a face mask when entering any clinical areas (e.g. wards, clinics, emergency department).
We understand that consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds or with special needs may have different needs regarding visiting hours and the role of their support persons. Our team will do their best to be responsive and flexible to these needs, acknowledging the important role that family and carers play for some of our patients.
Specialty areas
In addition to the above, the following area-specific conditions apply:
- Mental health: Visits to take place by appointment only from 9 am to 9 pm daily excluding the Oasis Ward, which has visiting times of 10 am to 7 pm.
- Monash Children’s Hospital patients: a parent or guardian may stay overnight with a patient under 18 years of age.
- Residential services and aged care: Our facilities are the resident’s home and we welcome their visitors as they would in their own home.
- Specialist consulting and diagnostic imaging: Up to two people may accompany a patient to an appointment. Siblings of children who are attending an appointment may also attend if alternative arrangements cannot be made.
Every situation is different, and while these guidelines will apply in most clinical settings, our teams will determine what approach is appropriate for individual patients based on their needs and circumstances.
Please refer to our Monash Health website visitor information page, for more details on visitor guidelines.
