Hospital visiting guidelines updated 20 July 2022: Hospital visitors must wear a surgical/medical paper mask. Fabric face coverings are no longer acceptable. See our COVID-19 pages for detailed information about hospital visiting guidelines, COVID-19 tests and care in the community advice. See www.vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz for information about vaccinations.
We are at ORANGE according to the NZ COVID-19 Protection Framework
Last updated:
9th April 2022
Kia whakahaumaru te whānau, me ngā iwi katoa – this is to keep everybody safe:
By sticking to the rules above, you help keep our patients, staff, other visitors and yourself safe. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.
Exceptions to the ‘one visitor’ policy
Visiting patients with COVID-19
You must NOT visit the hospital if you
Exceptions for people with disabilities
An exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to the one permitted visitor.
Everyone visiting our facilities must wear a mask, no exceptions
While we appreciate that some people have legitimate reasons for being exempt from wearing a mask and may even have an official card to confirm this, people who cannot or will not wear a mask cannot visit someone in hospital or attend hospital, other than to access healthcare. This is another measure to minimise the risk to vulnerable patients.
Patients and visitors should also read the additional more detailed visiting guidelines for each specific hospital.
More COVID-19 information
Specialist Biochemistry
NTDC
5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
5-MTHF
CSF neurotransmitter tests
CSF Pterine
FOLATE - CSF
GABA metabolism disorders
HIAA (Neurotransmitter D/O)
HVA
Neopterin (AIm encephalopathy)
Tetrahydrobiopterin
8 weeks
5816
Patient Preparation: Avoid therapy with drugs affecting neurotransmitter turnover for 10 days prior to collection.
Advanced Notice: Must notify CHL Tel 0800 843522 x80118 for a set of special NTD tubes/protocol prior to collection of CSF. This set of five CSF NTD tubes will also provide samples for CSF aminoacids, glucose and lactate. Paired serum samples for aminoacids and glucose should also be collected at the same time.
Samples frozen at bedside in dry ice unless blood stained
Blood stained CSF must be centrifuged and the clear supernatant transferred to fresh CSF collection tubes prior to freezing if possible.
Specimen Collection Protocols:
Special neurotransmitter form
Neurotransmitter protocol and information
Instructions for Referral to CHLabs
SEND IN DRY ICE NOT PINK ICE. STORAGE AT -80C
to be entered
$263.45 (Exclusive of GST)
5816
Tube 4 is for Neopterin/Biopterin please cover with foil to PROTECT FROM LIGHT
Referred to Biochemistry, Childrens Hospital Westmead, Australia