Visitors & visiting hours

Visiting Alfred Health

A visitor to our general wards and ICU can be permitted for the following reasons: 

• Providing essential care, including emotional and physical support
• Mental health support, including for people living with dementia

Visiting times for general wards

Visiting hours are between 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm.

• Visitors will be requested to leave the ward area between the visiting times
• In general wards, multiple visitors are welcome, but only 2 visitors are allowed at the bedside, at any one time

Visiting the ICU

• Please speak to ICU staff for current visiting restrictions & times.
• Visiting restrictions apply for patients and/or family members with COVID, please speak to the ICU staff regarding visitation of your loved one.
• Please limit visitors to close family and/or friends, only two visitors can be at the bedside at any time.
• Any visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• All visitors are required to wear a mask (provided).

Visitors must comply with the conditions of entry outlined below.

Special considerations

Special considerations are in place for visiting critical or palliative inpatients and those with a complex disability. This also applies to patients nearing end of life. Please ask staff for assistance for visiting arrangements in this circumstance.

For more information, read the safe hospital visiting resource for patients and families.

Deliveries

To limit movement in and out of our hospitals during this local community outbreak, we are unable to accept any deliveries (e.g flowers) from external agencies for patients.

Bringing flowers to patients

Some areas of our hospitals do not permit flowers or potted plants on the ward due to patient safety reasons. Please check with the relevant ward if flowers are permitted before you make a purchase and visit the hospital.

Visiting the Emergency Department

• One support person may accompany a patient
• Up to two people may accompany a patient under 18 years of age or a patient requiring more than one carer
• The support person may stay with the patient after they have been assessed by the healthcare team
• All visitors must comply with our conditions of entry, including wearing a mask throughout the visit

Visiting Sandringham

An upgrade of key facilities underway at Sandringham Hospital will play an important role in ensuring we continue to deliver quality care to our community.  

From 14 August 2024, temporary access to the Emergency Department will be through the main hospital entrance, and via alternative hallway access, signage will be in place to guide visitors.  

Visiting at the Monash Health Women’s at Sandringham

Birth Suite Patients: Partner and support person. No time limitations while in birth suite.

Maternity Ward: One designated partner/support person may visit between 8am and 7pm. Siblings may visit if accompanied by an adult. Patients can have two visitors per day, visiting one at a time within visiting hours, 2pm until 7pm.

Clinic (Building C): Partner with patient. Toddler if partner with patient.

Special Care Nursery: Two parents/guardians may visit with unrestricted visiting. Up to two additional visitors may visit per day for a maximum of one hour each visit (i.e. two people may visit for one hour each). Siblings of patient may visit. The number at the cot side cannot exceed two, and one must be a parent/guardian. Visiting hours are between 2pm and 7pm for the additional visitors.

Day treatment areas and outpatient clinics

Special consideration for a single carer/support person to accompany a patient is only permitted where this is essential to ensure that appropriate care and support can be provided  (eg. for patients with a complex disability). Please speak with your treating team prior to arrival to arrange. Visitors in these areas will be screened on entry to the hospital and required to declare their support role in the care of the patient.

Condition of entry to our hospitals

Permitted visitors are asked to: 

• Sign the Visitor Register at the relevant ward reception, on arrival and departure, if requested
• Maintain physical distance
• Notify the relevant ward of the time you wish to visit
• Arrive at scheduled visit time to minimise waiting time
• Follow staff instructions at all times

Keeping in touch

• Free Wi-Fi is available to help patients stay in touch with family and friends. You are welcome to use online video services to contact those close to you.
• We are increasingly caring for more patients and receiving more calls so there may be a delay with care updates.
• Family and friends can help by having one nominated contact person that can keep everyone else updated.