Important information regarding visiting patients

FEBRUARY 2026

Sydney Adventist Hospital is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our patients, staff, doctors and visitors. Our team of experts have put in place comprehensive actions to minimise risk, enhance safety procedures and ensure continued quality care.

Visitors, patients and staff are reminded to adhere to cough etiquette & good hand hygiene. Visitors should not attend if unwell and symptomatic with an acute respiratory infection (ARI) or other infectious disease such as gastroenteritis.

Current visitor restrictions & mask requirements

A gastroenteritis (Norovirus) outbreak has currently been declared in two hospital wards. No visitors are allowed to these wards except on compassionate grounds.

All visitors are requested to please be vigilant of signs and symptoms of Norovirus.

Symptoms and Transmission:

Gastroenteritis is highly contagious and typically causes: 

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
• Stomach cramping, low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches.

Symptoms usually last 1 to 2 days, but can sometimes be longer, and may take up to three days to develop after exposure. 

Action Required:

To limit the spread of the illness, the following measures are crucial:

• Symptomatic Individuals - Anyone experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis must leave the facility immediately.
• Exclusion Period - Individuals must not return to the facility until at least 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. This applies even if symptoms are mild.
• Hand Hygiene - Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds is the most effective way to stop the spread. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against all gastro viruses.
• Visitor Restrictions - Visitors are advised not to enter Gee and Harrison ward.
• Cleaning - The facility has increased cleaning and disinfection of all common areas and frequently touched surfaces, using a chlorine-based solution where appropriate, as recommended by health authorities. 

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.