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Visitor update, Thursday, 12 November 2020

In line with government guidelines, we are pleased to announce the following changes to our visitor policy:

  • two people (maximum) from one household may now visit our hospitals, with children counted in this number
  • those under 16 years may visit
  • visitors to Renal and ICU patients by pre-arranged appointments only. Oncology will welcome visitors in line with our other wards
  • in our maternity units, only the support person may bring in the sibling of newborns, with a maximum of two siblings allowed. Siblings may visit for two hours each day, between 4pm-6pm.

The following remains unchanged:

  • visiting hours remain the same, as does the time limit of two hours once a day (excluding partners and support people for maternity patients). The two-hour limit also does not apply to essential caregivers or for special circumstances (palliative care and children who are patients).
  • visitors must be immediate family, next of kin or carer
  • no visitors are permitted if diagnosed with COVID-19 or awaiting COVID-19 tests.

We thank you for your support.

Visiting hours have now changed.

We welcome TWO visitors per patient per day for a maximum of TWO hours, who must be immediate family, next of kin or a carer. 

Visiting times are as follows:

  • Epworth Richmond: 10am-1pm OR 4pm-7pm
  • Epworth Freemasons: 10am-1pm OR 4pm-7pm
  • Epworth Geelong: 10am-1pm OR 4pm-7pm
  • Epworth Eastern Kew: No visitors
  • Epworth Eastern:
    • 10am-12pm OR 4pm-6pm (Ward 2 North and CCU)
    • 10am-12pm OR 4pm-6pm (Ward 4 North)
    • 11am-1pm OR 5pm-7pm (Wards 5 North and 5 South)

Visitors to rehabilitation and mental health patients:

  • Epworth Brighton: 4-7pm
  • Epworth Camberwell: 4-7pm
  • Epworth Hawthorn: 4-7pm
  • Epworth Richmond: 4-7pm

For everyone's safety, visitors to our sites are required to have their temperature checked upon entry, wear a hospital-supplied mask and complete an attestation declaring they do not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Wearing masks

  • Anyone entering our sites in Melbourne and Geelong will need to wear a mask upon arrival and register their attendance.
  • Patients who are already in our hospitals will wear masks, based on clinical circumstances.
  • Patients and visitors must change into a hospital provided mask when entering the hospital.

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and stay safe, regularly wash your hands, keep at least 1.5 metres from other people, and stay home if you feel unwell.

See our guide to putting on and removing a surgical mask - How to wear your surgical mask (PDF, 2MB)

Reduce your risk of coronavirus with masks (PDF, 98KB)

If you have any symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties or wheezing or any other signs of respiratory infection, however mild, seek advice and get tested.

Here are some answers to your frequently asked questions (PDF, 608KB)

For more information about COVID-19 go to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

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