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The Intensive Care Department is open for 24
hours, seven days per week. Visiting hours within the Department are open. The
Intensive Care Department is located on the first floor of the Parkside East
Block of Christchurch Hospital. The Department of Intensive Care provide
services for Christchurch area and the greater Canterbury area.
The waiting room provides tea and coffee making facilities and a place that you can go to while you are waiting or when you need time out.
Toilet facilities for visitors are opposite the waiting rooms.
Phones are available in the waiting rooms and on the wall outside the Department. Dial one for an outside line. Please let us know if you need to contact family or close friends outside of Christchurch and we may be able to help, alternatively return to the Main Entrance for the public telephones.
There are two cafeterias available within Christchurch Hospital - The Coffee Shop in the hospital concourse and Café Great Escape located on the 1st Floor of Parkside West. There is also Café Medici on the 1st Floor of the School of Medicine. All are available for meals and snacks. See Christchurch Hospital Patient Information or location map for more information about facilities for visitors.
There are pay and display parks on the
hospital grounds. Christchurch City Council manages these parks. There is also a
parking building in Antigua Street, which can be accessed from the hospital by a
tunnel. We may be able to assist by providing parking coupons. Please ask a
member of staff.
See Car Parking Information for additional
information.
The time of admission is often very stressful. To fully assess a patient takes time, leading to inevitable delays. A suggestion would be to inform family and friends of what is happening during this initial waiting time.
You will be introduced to the nurse who is looking after your relative/friend. A full explanation of the condition and the treatment that they are receiving will be made available as soon as possible. Advice about visiting, what support services are available and information about equipment will be given once your relative/friend has been settled in.
You will need time to take in this unexpected event, to become familiar with the environment as well as the issues that arise and their implications. We understand this; so take the time you need and please feel free to ask any questions be they big or small. Sometimes answers may be long and complicated so don’t hesitate to ask again if you need to.
Remember too that your health is very important. While you might feel compelled to be at the hospital you may be faced with attending to other commitments, or supporting other family members. Try not to take too many responsibilities on your shoulders alone. Share them around and allow others to assist. Taking shifts visiting your relative/friend can be a good idea. Allowing yourself breaks will help you to provide the best support you can to your relative/friend for as long as you need to.
Take time out for walks, fresh air, drinks and regular meals. When your relative/friend is more stable, going home, to friends or your own accommodation to sleep will be more restful. We will contact you if necessary. Remember to leave a contact telephone number with the nurse.
Visiting hours are unrestricted. If you are asked to wait outside, it may be because the patient is having an x-ray, a wash, a change of position or being seen by the doctors or physiotherapist. We will bring you in to visit as soon as possible. Visiting can be exhausting for very ill patients and may be restricted to close family and friends.
Please wash hands before entering the Department. Patients in intensive care are at risk of infection and one way you can help to reduce this risk is by washing your hands before you enter and when you leave the Department.
Please discuss any special needs you may have about visiting so we can assist you.
Please be guided by the nurse of the day. Below are some suggestions to help you.
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| Intensive Care |