Information for Family and Whanau
Having a family member or friend in hospital can be worrying and stressful. We aim to provide the best possible clinical care in a respectful, supportive, safe and caring environment.
Most people in hospital find regular visits from whanau, family and friends important and they do help recovery significantly. Visits can also help to maintain your relationship with your family member or friend during their hospital stay. We welcome visitors to the ward and do our best to meet any special requirements you identify.
There are public and private rooms for visits. If you would like use of a private room please make advance arrangements with staff.
Children - Visits by patients' children are welcomed but to maintain safety and the wellbeing of all people in Te Whare O Matairangi, including other visitors, please tell staff in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. You can also request to use the whanau room during visits and this is recommended, especially with younger children.
Visiting hours for Acute Care
Generally visiting hours are between 11.00am – 8.00pm. Please telephone (04 385 5999 ext. 2952) to check that there are no clashes with treatment appointments or other activities. If it is difficult for you to visit at these times, or if an urgent situation arises, please phone to arrange a suitable time.
Visiting hours for Intensive Care
Please always ring to arrange a visit. Telephone (04 385 5999 ext. 2952)
General guidelines
Your cooperation with these guidelines will help to make your visit to the unit a safe and positive one.
- Please respect the dignity and privacy of other people at the unit who, like your own family or whanau member or friend, may be feeling vulnerable or distressed
- Staff will refuse people entry to the unit if they are intoxicated or affected by drugs
- Alcohol and drugs must not be brought to the unit
Their use by patients can have serious consequences. If we think you may be bringing these into the unit our policy requires us to ask you to leave and the police may be called. - If you bring any items in with you, including food and clothing, for the person you are visiting, please check with your family member’s Allocated Nurse to ensure it is safe for them and for others at the unit
- There are areas within the unit designated for visiting, please assist us to respect the privacy and personal space of all tangata whairora/consumers and do not enter any of the bedrooms or bedroom areas
- The Whanau room can be used for visits but requires prior notice and is especially recommended if you are bringing younger children
- If you have questions please ask any member of staff
It may not always be possible to speak directly to the requested clinician and you may need to make an appointment.
Participation and involvement
Your support is welcomed – the extent to which you can be involved and participate in a tangata whaiora/consumer's care and treatment varies according to their inpatient status, your relationship, and their wishes.
“Inpatient status” refers to whether an admission is voluntary or involuntary (subject to the provisions of the Mental Health (CAT) Act 1992). If an admission is voluntary, tangata whairora/consumers can refuse consent for information about their condition and treatment to be given to family members or particular named people. These rights to privacy and confidentiality apply to all people using health services. You may wish to seek support from Atareira (see below) in healing any stress in your relationship or understand better what is happening for them.
If your family member has been admitted under the Mental Health Act, you have the right to participate in, and be consulted with about the assessment, treatment and care of your whanau/family member. Staff will seek to contact you wherever possible regarding this and will request to meet with you when needed.
“Your relationship” refers to the relationship you may have to the person who is being treated. This usually includes close family and whanau, partners, (adult) children and can include close friends and others that a tangata whaiora/consumer may specify.
Your family member’s wishes will be respected wherever possible. Family and whanau participation in decision making will be sought in the case of tangata whaiora/consumerbeing treated under the Mental Health Act as part of our responsibilities under the Act, unless there are strong reasons that this would be considered unhelpful.
Additional information
Staff are able to provide you with information about mental health and the treatment options the ward has to offer, including medication. Social Workers are available to support you, discuss issues that may concern you regarding your family member and their admission to hospital and to put you in touch with Atareira or other support services.
Meals for visitors are not available at the unit. Kenepuru hospital has a small cafe located in the front entrance.