Sometimes NSW Health settings need to make changes to visits.

NSW Health settings might need to change:

bullet who can visit

bullet how long visits can last.end of list

This can happen when visits might put people in a NSW Health setting at risk.

For example, a risk might be:

bullet spreading a sickness

bullet when the visitor has hurt or said they will hurt someone.end of list

It’s rare that NSW Health settings have to make changes that stop visitors from visiting in person.

This means it doesn’t happen often.

NSW Health settings must make decisions about visits in a way that supports the rights of people getting healthcare.

NSW Health settings must also think about:

• what the person needs
• what’s safe.

NSW Health settings should choose the option that has the least impact on visits when they need to make changes.

NSW Health settings should keep checking if these changes are still needed.

They must remove changes to visits as soon as possible.

When it’s safe, they must let visitors come back as normal.

NSW Health settings must have guidelines about how to support people when there are changes to their visits.

This includes support to stay connected with the community when people can’t have in‑person visits.

NSW Health settings must write down all decisions they make about changes to a person’s visits.

These records must include information about:

• who made the decision
• how they made the decision.

NSW Health settings must communicate changes to a person’s visits:

• clearly
• as soon as possible.

NSW Health settings must also make sure they share this information in different ways.