Current restrictions

If you are a close contact of COVID-19, we ask:

• You contact your treating team about whether your appointment should go ahead, or if can be changed or moved to telehealth, where possible
• If a face-to-face appointment is needed, you will need to follow the screening processes in place, which includes a RAT. If you are positive, you will be asked to follow the COVID positive procedure.
• Do not visit, unless you are an essential visitor.

What is an essential visitor?

An essential visitor is a parent, carer or guardian of a child.

Inpatients

One essential visitor may be with an inpatient at all times.

During visiting hours

During the visiting hours, two visitors can be with the patient. They can be essential or standard visitors, include a sibling.

Visiting hours

• 10am to 12pm 
• 5pm to 7pm
• 7 days a week.

Emergency Department

One accompanying essential visitor may accompany a child.

In extraordinary circumstances, two approved visitors can attend.

Neonatology - NICU

One accompanying essential visitor at any time. 

A second essential visitor can join during visiting hours (two essential visitors during visiting hours).

Outpatient appointments and other visits

One essential visitor. No siblings allowed outside of visiting hours, with the exception of babies who need care from the essential visitor (e.g. breastfeeding mothers).

Find out more about visitor guidelines. 

Visiting guidance

• No siblings are allowed, except for babies who need care from the essential visitor (e.g. breastfeeding mothers).
• If an essential visitor is not vaccinated or has a mask wearing exemption, they will be allowed to enter the hospital with additional health measures in place. 

Exemptions

Up to two visitors maximum per patient or client may be allowed in a critical or emergency situation.

Exemptions are for critical compassionate grounds only, following the agreed approval process and approval form. Please speak to your treating team for more information.

When you arrive you will need to go through our visitor screening process.

You will be asked:

• some screening questions, including a check to see if you have been to an exposure site and are required to isolate or have been a close contact of a COVID-19 case in the last seven days
• to check in on SafeWA or ServiceWA app
• to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status, if you are aged 16 years and over (excluding patients and clients).  

You may also be required to complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) to test for COVID-19. For more information about what to expect from a RAT test and who is required to get them, please see Rapid Antigen Tests, under Current restrictions.

When you visit Perth Children's Hospital, the Neonatology units at King Edward Memorial Hospital and some of our CAHS sites, you or your child may be required to complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

These are the patients, clients and visitors who are currently in scope:

• Outpatients only require a RAT if symptomatic or are attending high risk areas
• Patients having Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs)
• All patients in the Emergency Department
• Planned patient presentations, on entry (at home or on arrival)
• Approved essential visitors (parents/carers) when attending high risk areas
• Specialist day services on entry (at home or on arrival)
  •  This includes the CAMHS Paediatric Consultation Liaison and Eating Disorders Service.
• All essential visitors captured above will require a RAT as per the latest COVID-19 Public Hospital Visitor Guidelines and may need screening for recent infection
• Close contacts (within seven days) of a COVID-19 case.

What happens during a RAT?

It’s a simple process. A nurse takes you to a booth where a nasal swab is done. The overall time may be around 30 minutes, with about 15 to 20 minutes to wait for the result.

View our Getting tested page for details and a video on the process at PCH.

We know that this will add extra time to your journey, but it is essential for us to continue to deliver safe care to your child and the children of WA. So please bear with us while we conduct this test.

Helping kids prepare for a RAT

It is normal for kids and adults to be scared of taking a RAT or nasal swab.

Visit Getting tested for more on how you can make them easier and more comfortable for you and your child.

Surgical masks are required to be worn inside Perth Children's Hospital, for people aged 12 years and older.

Please remember to bring a surgical mask with you, however we can provide one if required.

Find out more about how to wear a face mask correctly.

You will be asked some screening questions, including a check to see if you have visited any of the current exposure sites listed on HealthyWA.

Parking at PCH

The PCH Basement Car Park (located underneath the Emergency Department) is closed to visitors.

Alternative parking is available in Car Park 1, which is located on the ground level of the QEIIMC Multi-Deck Car Park. Access this car park by the entrance on Winthrop Avenue, driving to the right and through to the outside car park.

Find out more about travelling to PCH and parking.

Entry to PCH

There are now two designated entry and controlled screening checkpoints into PCH:

• The Main Entrance for wards, outpatient appointments, booked surgeries and other visitors.
• The Southern or Emergency Department entrance is restricted to access for the Emergency Department only.

The Northern Entrance remains an entry point for staff only.

Exiting PCH

Exit for everyone is through the Northern Entrance.

Afterhours between 8pm and 6am, the exit is through the Emergency Department doors.

Find out more about visitor guidelines and entry.

The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is by practicing good hand hygiene and sneeze/cough etiquette.

This includes:

Wash your hands

Try not to touch your mouth and nose

If you need to cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a paper tissue or flexed elbow – throw the tissue immediately after use and wash your hands.

Stay away from people who are sick

Ronald McDonald Family Room, Level 1

• Temporarily closed.

PCH Food Hall

• All outlets now close at 3pm
• Temporarily closed on weekends.

Find out more about Food and retail opening hours.

Fun on Four, Level 4

• Temporarily closed.