COVID-19 information

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Cabrini has remained committed to delivering safe, high-quality, compassionate care to our community.

We have stringent infection control processes in place to ensure the safety of our staff, patients, residents and community, and we continue to adapt our response to the pandemic in line with the latest Department of Health guidelines.

COVID-19 processes change regularly, so we encourage you to check this page before you attend our facilities.

We know some of the processes in place due to the pandemic can be challenging, especially for people attending hospital, and want to reassure you that our dedicated team will support you and your loved ones during this time.

Everyone has a role to play here, so please refer to the information below and follow the guidance provided by our staff, online and on display at our sites.

Thank you for choosing Cabrini for your treatment and care.

COVID-19 information

Visitor restrictions

Inpatients at Cabrini’s hospitals can have two visitors at a time, during our dedicated visiting hours.

For most wards, our visiting hours are between 10 am – 2.30 pm and 4.30 – 8 pm, with a rest period between these times.

There are special arrangements in place for our maternity ward, paediatrics ward, rehabilitation wards and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Please click here for more information about these areas. It is also a good idea to check with your loved one or their care team before visiting.

Patients attending the emergency department, outpatient appointments and day oncology wards can have one visitor accompany them, with no time limit.

For more information about visiting Cabrini Residential Aged Care at Ashwood, please click here.

If you have any questions about your specific circumstances, please speak with a member of your loved one’s care team for further guidance.

Please note, all visitors to Cabrini must collect a fresh mask from our entrances. If you are not double-vaccinated against COVID-19, you will need to wear an N95 mask during your visit – please refer to the information below.

Visiting restrictions for COVID positive patients

No visitors for COVID positive patients

Exceptions to our visitor restrictions for COVID positive patients

These will be managed on a case-by-case basis, by nursing leaders. This includes visitors for:

patients who are dying and/or receiving end of life care
communication, language, or interpreter support
behaviour management or dementia care
patients with a complex disability
support person is the nominated person under the Mental Health Act

Should the visit be approved based on one of the exceptions above, the following must apply:

one visitor for one hour
asymptomatic
RAT negative
wear appropriate PPE – N95, gown, face shield

Once the patient is cleared, they revert to regular visitor restrictions.

COVID-19 vaccination – information for visitors

All visitors to Cabrini must show proof of double COVID-19 vaccination, or provide a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) taken and dated on the day of their visit.

Visitors are responsible for obtaining and taking the RAT and are unable to collect a RAT from Cabrini.

Any visitor who cannot provide proof of double COVID-19 vaccination will need to wear an N95 mask, provided at Cabrini’s entrance, for the duration of their visit.

Please carry your proof of vaccination, vaccination exemption, or negative RAT on you at all times when visiting.

Please note, patients can attend Cabrini for treatment and care, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status

Please respect our staff and adhere to all directives, as we work through this together.

Pre-operative testing

In line with Department of Health advice, all elective surgery patients (including elective caesarean patients) must undergo pre-operative testing prior to their admission to hospital.

Maternity patient’s partner/designated support person must also be tested prior to attending Cabrini for an elective caesarean.

This is an important measure to further ensure patient safety during surgery, as undergoing surgery while infected with COVID-19 may require your care team to take additional precautions it also helps to further protect vulnerable people within healthcare settings, and reduce the spread of infection during this time.

Impacted patients will be contacted by their treating team, and provided further information about this process, ahead of their surgery.

Patients will then need to source a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) to undertake one day prior to their surgery or undergo a PCR test at a local testing clinic three days prior to the surgery. After taking a test, patients must then self-isolate until they are admitted for their procedure.

Please download our pre-surgery testing and isolating document for more information.

Please note, Cabrini is no longer operating a dedicated pre-operative testing clinic.

Mandatory use of masks

Information for maternity patients

Cabrini Maternity FAQs

Inpatients at Cabrini’s hospitals can have two visitors at a time, during our dedicated visiting hours.

Maternity visiting hours are between 3 – 5pm and 7 – 8pm. Visitors must remain in the room with the parents.

All visitors to Cabrini must show proof of double COVID-19 vaccination, or provide a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) taken and dated on the day of their visit.

Maternity classes and tours

Maternity classes and tours have been cancelled until further notice. We are providing online antenatal classes – all booked patients will receive access to these classes via email during their third trimester.

Refunds will be provided if you have made a purchase and these can be organised by phoning the Maternity Bookings Office on (03) 9508 1724 (Mon–Fri, 9am-3pm) or emailing maternity@cabrini.com.au.

Attending the emergency department

All patients who present to Cabrini’s emergency department will be tested for COVID-19. You will not have to isolate after testing, unless you have symptoms of COVID-19.

If you are presenting to Cabrini’s emergency department with any symptoms of COVID-19, please phone the emergency department on (03) 9508 1500 before presenting in person at 183 Wattletree Road, Malvern.

The symptoms to watch out for are fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose and loss or change in sense of smell or taste. In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also be considered.

The Cabrini emergency department team will assess patients for risk of COVID-19, in line with Department of Health criteria, and will take appropriate precautions to ensure your safety and that of our other patients and staff.

If you are attending Cabrini for your care, please ensure your treating team is made aware if you:

have any symptoms relating to COVID-19
are a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case
are awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test

If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call 000 and ask for an ambulance (inform them you may have symptoms of COVID-19).

For further advice, please call the Department of Health’s 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Flower and food deliveries

Florists and couriers are permitted to deliver flowers to a site’s main entrance or reception but are not able to attend other areas within our facilities, including ward areas.

When making a flower delivery to Cabrini, please ensure you wait until Cabrini staff confirm that the person you are delivering to is a current inpatient or resident.

We kindly ask that no perishable food items are included with flower deliveries at this time.

Cabrini is accepting deliveries of non-perishable food items. Unfortunately, food items that are perishable and deliveries from outside catering are currently discouraged.

We will continue reviewing these processes and making changes as it is safe to do so.

Thank you for your support.

Resources

Cabrini is part of a coordinated health sector response to contain the COVID-19 infection, identify cases and prevent transmission in healthcare environments, Victoria and nationally. Cabrini is following all Department of Health’s guidelines and recommendations.

For more COVID-19 information and resources, we encourage you to refer to the Department of Health website or contact their dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398.

The Department of Health has also developed COVID-19 translated information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, health professionals and industry, including factsheets and promotional materials.

We will continue to review information as it becomes available and keep our community updated as the situation evolves.