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.

Covid testing prior to admission – Updated 27 August 2021

Current DHHS directives for admission to Hospital requires enhanced screening and testing due to current COVID response and safety of our patients and staff.

COVID tests are required 48-72 hours prior to a planned admission, and patients are to isolate from the time of testing until they are admitted to Hospital.

For any upcoming admissions to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne, please check with your admitting Doctor regarding obtaining a COVID test prior to your admission.

It is very important to isolate at home from the time of your test until you come in for your procedure. 

What does Isolation Mean?

After your COVID-19 test you must go straight home to start isolation. Use personal transport, such as a car, if you can as this will minimise your exposure to others. Do not make any stops along the way. Once in your home you must stay there until your admission to hospital. You cannot go to any public place, such as work, school, childcare, university, supermarket etc. You cannot have any visitors to your home.

You can only leave home in an emergency or to obtain essential medical care.  A person can only enter your home in an emergency, if they provide you with medical care, or if they live with you and cannot stay anywhere else. Only people who usually live with you should be in your home but you must, if practical, isolate from them as well. 

If travelling an extended distance to hospital and need to stay in accommodation the night prior to your admission, you must travel straight there, using personal transport, such as your car, do not stop along the way, wear your mask, perform regular hand hygiene (using alcoholic based hand rub) or wash your hands for 20 seconds, socially distance when you check in, go straight to your room and continue to isolate until your admission as if you were at home.

Hospital Visitation Rules

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

Effective 16 July 2021 at 12pm until further notice:

No Hospital Visitors permitted  

Exceptions Apply (Case by case approval required):

• One nominated support person for Maternity (allowed at all times, person not interchangeable)
• One nominated carer/parent/guardian for patient under 18 years of age
• For patients receiving end of Life care or life threatening conditions
• For patients who require assistance with communication, behaviour management or emotional support
• Patients with complex disability or mental illness
• One carer for support  on discharge
• One support person to outpatient appointments

Conditions for permitted visitors apply:

• Register using the QR online COVID screening and contact tracing
• Check current Exposure site list and follow DHHS directives if attended exposure site
• 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

For further information or questions please visit our Hospital website or speak to our staff for assistance

Fitzroy (03) 9411 7111

East Melbourne (03) 9928 6555

Kew (03) 9851 8888

Werribee (03) 9218 8000

Exposure Sites

All visitors will need to check the current exposure site list.  Visitors who have attended exposure sites in Victoria during exposure dates specified will not be permitted entry until they have completed Department of Health directions regarding testing and/or quarantine.

Visitors who have recently travelled will need to follow the Victorian Travel system website for Department of Health directives. See here for the latest information on the areas across Australia that are designated as Orange or Red. Any visitor who has worked or been in Hotel quarantine in past 7 days will not be permitted entry.

Screening

All visitors will be required to complete screening process on arrival, provide details for contact tracing requirements.

All visitors will need to wear Hospital supplied mask, follow infection control measures and practice social distancing.

You cannot visit the hospital, if:  

• You are unwell
• 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

When you arrive

We recommend you arrive earlier than planned to allow time for the visitor screening process. The visitor screening process has three steps to it.

1. Prior to entry, all visitors are required to complete an online form. This form asks a series of screening 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 the form prior to arrival to aid the visitor screening process. 
2. After completing the form, present to St Vincent’s 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.

Social Distancing

When you enter the hospital, you will need to continue to exercise social distancing by keeping 1.5m from others and clean your hands regularly using soap and water or the alcohol-based hand rub provided.