Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Patients Reminded To Bring Personal Devices To Hospital To Stay In Touch

People coming into hospital are being reminded to bring a phone or other personal device with them so they can keep in contact with loved ones.

Tight hospital visitor restrictions as a result of COVID-19 mean most hospital patients can’t have any visitors, so it’s important to be able to communicate with the outside world.

Toni Fitzpatrick on behalf of the welfare team in the Emergency Operations Centre at the Bay of Plenty District Health Board says there’s no restriction on phone calls and video like zoom or facetime to keep in touch with friends and whānau in the community: ‘Going into hospital can be stressful, but being able to phone or video-message people makes a big difference to patient wellbeing and helps them feel connected.’

Patients are able to access free public wifi in the hospital with no need for a password.

During the lockdown period, no visitors are allowed at any Bay of Plenty or Lakes districts’ hospitals. The restrictions are in place for the safety of patients, staff and security as well as the wider population.

The only exceptions are people who are receiving end-of-life care, a child in the Children’s Unit or Emergency Department and women in labour, each of whom can have one consistent support person or visitor.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.