Supporting a patient
We encourage whānau/family and friends support
Close whānau/family and friends or carers are an important part of a patient’s care and recovery.
Care needs will vary from patient to patient. Some patients may want their whānau/family to provide personal hands-on care, others may prefer emotional or spiritual support, and others may choose not to have family and friends involved in their patient journey.
We appreciate that family and close friends want to know what is happening and even be involved in care decisions where the patient has consented to this. We will be guided by the patient’s wishes, patient rights and privacy or, where a patient is unable to express those wishes, by the key support person/enduring power of attorney, or any advance care plan or advance directive the patient has made. In the absence of a key support person, enduring power of attorney or advance care plan/advance directive, the clinical staff may engage with an emergency contact or other next of kin.
If you have any concerns about the patient or their care, in the first instance please talk to a member of the care team or to the nurse in charge of the ward, if you prefer. We also have a number of ways you can contact us or give us feedback.
A key support person can be nominated for closer involvement in the patient’s care and to be able to stay for longer than the normal visiting hours. We also have patient advocacy services available, more information can be found in our key support persons and patient advocates section.
We try our best to accommodate visitors whānau/family with our lounges and facilities, or a private space where you need gather, discuss things or take time out. Please discuss this with the wards reception or a staff member.
We also have information about our hospital facilities here.