We welcome visitors to Western Health. Visitors are an important part of a patient’s recovery and can assist communication between patients, families and staff.
Visiting hours
Visiting hours at Footscray, Sunshine, Williamstown and Bacchus Marsh hospitals are between 12pm and 8pm daily.
Visiting hours at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital are between 4pm and 8pm daily. This shorter time period is so that we can promote parent rest, education and feeding support during the patient’s hospital stay. Visitors to maternity areas should confirm suitability and an appropriate time to visit with maternity patients as visiting times may vary.
Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or who require respiratory precautions are allowed visits; however, visitors must report to the nurse in charge before entering the room due to risk of infection. Visitors to patients under respiratory precautions must wear a mask to protect themselves, staff and other patients. Masks will be provided.
Number of visitors allowed
Two visitors at a time are allowed at a patient’s bedside during visiting hours to ensure other patients are not disturbed and that staff can continue to provide safe care.
We understand there will be occasions where more than two people at a time will want to visit patients (including for end-of-life care, critically ill patients or patients with high-level clinical or social needs). Please speak to the nurse unit manager or midwife in charge to discuss visitor arrangements.
Children under 16 are permitted to visit inpatient areas if accompanied by an adult.
Visiting safely
Visitors who feel unwell or who have experienced fever/chills, sore throat, cough, vomiting or diarrhoea in the previous 48 hours are asked not to visit until they are well.
Depending on the prevalence of COVID in the community, Western Health may ask visitors to wear a mask. If masks are necessary, they will be supplied at the entrance to wards.
Visitors are asked to sanitise their hands before and after spending time with a patient. Please use the hand sanitiser provided.
Visitors should speak to the nurse unit manager before bringing meals into the hospital for patients (permission is not required for Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s).
Visitor behaviour
We are committed to providing best care and to do that we must ensure the absolute safety of our staff, patients and visitors.
If you have any questions about the visiting hours, please speak to the patient’s nurse or midwife who can escalate your concerns to the nurse unit manager or midwife in charge.
Your concerns or complaints can be discussed with a Best Care Coordinator by phoning 1800 319 631 or emailing [email protected]
Western Health will not tolerate any violence, aggression, threats or verbal abuse against our staff, patients or visitors.
In the event of any unreasonable behaviour, Western Health reserves the right to escort visitors off the premises by security and/or report the matter to Victoria Police and ultimately deny access to hospital visits.
While we understand hospitals can be stressful, please be mindful that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.
