Before coming to hospital

Please contact your treating specialist via phone or email before coming to hospital, if: 

• You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or asked to quarantine
• You have returned from overseas in the last 14 days (excluding safe travel zone countries)
• You have had contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• You have visited a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days or since the hotspot was declared (whichever is shorter)
• You have been tested for COVID-19 and are waiting to receive the results (except for tests due to surveillance testing obligations)
• You have COVID-19 symptoms of fever (37.5 degrees or more), cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Prior to your admission -COVID Testing requirements (updated Jan 10^th, 2022).

 Current DHHS requirements for admission to Hospital require enhanced screening and testing, as we are a high risk setting.

All patients will be asked to undertake a Rapid Antigen test on arrival.  For any patient that obtains a positive Rapid Antigen Test result on arrival, they will be advised to go home and isolate, and to report their Rapid Antigen Test result to Reporting your result | Coronavirus Victoria. 

It is important that prior to your arrival to Hospital you ensure you read the following information:

Prior to arrival to the Hospital:

We recommend you arrive earlier than planned to allow at least 20 minutes for the COVID screening process, which is a requirement for all who enter.  The COVID screening process will follow these steps:

1. Prior to entry, you are required to complete an online screening form which asks a series of questions.  You may access the online form here or scan the QR code using your mobile device when you arrive at the hospital entrance. We recommend you complete this online form prior to arrival (must be done the same day of admission or visit).  If you have any issues our Concierge team will be able to assist you.
2. After completing the form, present the completed screen on your mobile phone and say your name to the St Vincent’s Concierge Staff at the welcome desk. 
3. Listen carefully to St Vincent’s Staff and follow their directions. You will undergo a temperature check via a thermal camera prior to entry.  
4. You will need to wear the Hospital supplied surgical mask and then be directed to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test on arrival before your admission can take place.  Once the test is performed, it will take 15 minutes to process the result.

Due to the current outbreak and in line with the DHHS directives our Hospital Visitor Restrictions have been updated. 

Effective 10th January 2022 until further notice:

No Hospital Visitors are permitted.
Exceptions Apply as below (exemption requests are made directly to the Hospital and are assessed on a case by case basis).

Visitor Exceptions Include:

• the parent, guardian or temporary carer of a patient aged under 18 years.
• providing essential wellbeing support (including mental health support and support for people living with dementia).
• a Nominated Person of a patient who is in hospital to receive care for a mental illness as defined under the Mental Health Act.
• providing interpreter language support.
• learning to support a patient’s care once they are discharged from hospital. 
• the carer of a patient with a disability.
• providing support to a patient whose medical condition is life threatening. 
• providing end-of-life support for a patient.
• accompanying a patient to an outpatient appointment (if unable to use telehealth)  **please check requirements with your Specialists Rooms
• the partner or support person of a pregnant woman, whose status as a patient relates to their pregnancy. 

Conditions for permitted visitors apply:

• As per the DHHS all visitors are advised to have two doses/booster COVID19 vaccinations (in any exemption that a visitor does not have vaccination an N95 mask would need to be worn).
• Visitors may be required to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test on arrival (particularly if no evidence of two vaccinations).
• All visitors must register using the QR online COVID screening questions
• Do not attend if unwell
• Wear a Hospital supplied face mask at all times
• Maintain physical distancing 
• Hand hygiene on entering Hospital and Patient rooms
• Where exempt visitors have been permitted, there are no more than two visitors permitted at any one time

You cannot visit the hospital, if:  

• You are unwell
• You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or asked to quarantine and have not completed your quarantine or are asymptomatic
• You have returned from overseas in the last 14 days (excluding safe travel zone countries) and have not completed isolation requirements and testing guidelines
• You have had contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days and have not completed a negative test and isolation requirements
• You have COVID-19 symptoms of fever (37.5 degrees or more), cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue

We understand that the Visitor restrictions are very challenging, and we are here to provide support for our patients and families during this time.  

For further information or questions, speak to our staff for assistance

Fitzroy (03) 9411 7111

East Melbourne (03) 9928 6555

Kew (03) 9851 8888

Werribee (03) 9218 8000