Vigilance remains as Forté Health welcomes in the New Year

While welcoming 2021 with optimism, Forté Health is remaining vigilant in the new year with ongoing screening and testing procedures in place to detect and prevent any spread of COVID-19.

As New Zealanders have enjoyed the festive season with family and friends, we have watched as other countries face lockdowns, curfews or other strict measures to curb the renewed rise of COVID in their community. 

While there is currently no community spread of COVID in New Zealand, the country remains at Alert Level One which means screening and testing protocols remain in place for staff, patients and visitors to Forté Health.

“We realise many of us are suffering a little COVID-fatigue however Forté Health is committed to doing all we can to ensure New Zealanders continue to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today.  That means we need to operate with continued vigilance in our hospital environment,” says Forté Health General Manager Rachel Hillyer.

As part of these enhanced protocols all patients to Forté Health may be screened prior to their appointment or surgery.  If a patient has cold and flu symptoms they may be required to undergo a free COVID test, and a negative test may be required prior to surgery being confirmed.

Patients who are deemed high-risk either due to illness or possible contact with a COVID case may have their surgery delayed.  Naturally, unwell patients and visitors are asked to stay at home.

“We realise these ongoing extra precautions may be frustrating for some however COVID remains a real risk to the health of our community so these precautions are necessary to keep everyone safe,” says Rachel.

For full details of Forté Health’s COVID precautions for patients and visitors please click here.