Emergency Department visit

Visitor numbers

One accompanying essential visitor may accompany a child.

Masks

Ensure you and your child wear a mask at all times during your visit, including on arrival.

We recommend that you get dropped off and picked up by someone in your household.

If using a taxi or rideshare service let your driver know that you or your child is COVID positive. You must not use public transport such as a bus or train.

Parking options

If you need to drive yourself to PCH, we recommend the following parking options, in order of preference:

• 15 minute set down bays outside ED at PCH (You will need to move your car to a visitor car park as soon as the situation allows)
• Car Park 7, across the road from PCH ED
• Car Park 1 in the QEII Multideck Car Park.

Visit Travelling to PCH for maps and more information on the location of these car parks.

Once you have parked

• Put your mask on yourself and your child - wear your mask properly ensuring the mask covers your mouth, nose and chin.
  • Kids over year 3 at school should always wear a mask. If possible, kids over 2 years of age should also wear a mask. 
• Come straight to the PCH ED screening booth - located out the front of the Emergency Department entrance doors.

When you arrive

• Let screening staff know immediately that you or/and your child are COVID positive.
• If you have to queue, please keep a safe distance from others - at least 1.5 metres.

Be COVID safe during your visit

• Keep a safe distance between yourself and others - at least 1.5 metres.
• As soon as you leave your car, make sure you are wearing your mask properly at all times, covering your mouth, nose and chin.
  • Kids over year 3 at school should always wear a mask. If possible, kids over 2 years of age should also wear a mask. 
• Regularly use hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean. Avoid touching door handles and surfaces - instead use your keys, a pen, a tissue etc.
• Follow any instructions provided to you by our staff.

We are also required to undertake our obligations for visitor management in line with the Public Hospital Visitor Guidelines.

We will ask you:

• screening questions
• to check in on SafeWA or ServiceWA
• your vaccination status.

Rapid Antigen Tests

Your child may have to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and you may also be required to have one if you meet the testing criteria. It’s a simple process. A nurse will do the nasal swab and the result will be available in about 15 to 20 minutes. This won’t slow down any treatment, but it does help us decide the safest way to provide care for your child.

It is important that you follow the directions provided to you by your treating team.

There is a set process to move you and your child between any locations, including any further treatment or tests that may be needed.

Your child will have a single room while in our care. You must not exit this room at any time. Please use the call bell if you require any assistance.

Staff will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is masks, eye protection, gowns and gloves, when they are caring for your child.

Meals

Depending on the length of your stay, you and your child will be provided with three meals per day. You will be able to order meals via our Patient Meal Ordering System (PMOS) on PES.

If you have any special dietary requirements or require extra food for metabolic conditions such as diabetes, please inform your nurse looking after you.

Please do not leave your room to get food or drinks.

Entertainment

Each room has a TV with a Patient Entertainment System (PES). The PES has TV, apps and information and our Patient Meal Ordering System (PMOS) for ordering your meals. 

Support

If you are feeling isolated, please let your nurse know, so we can help you get some support.

Once your child is ready to go home, you are required to go straight home in line with your existing isolation requirements.

Please follow any instructions for after care provided by your treating team and follow up with your local doctor or GP if required.

Information about caring for a child with COVID-19 at home

The WA Department of Health provides information and advice about caring for a child with COVID-19 at home.

By car

If you have parked, please go directly to your car.

If you are getting collected by someone from your household or a rideshare vehicle, please ask them to park in the 15 minute set down bays out the front of the hospital.

Keep you and your child's mask in place until you are in a private vehicle or keep it in place if using a taxi or rideshare.

Using a taxi

If you are going home by taxi, our staff will book this for you. The following instructions must be followed when you are catching a taxi:

• We will let the rideshare or taxi know of your COVID suspected status when booking. This allows the driver to prepare themselves and wear a mask.
• You must wear a surgical mask for the duration of the trip. Children under 12 should also wear a mask if they can.
• You must sit 1.5m away from the driver where able with the windows down (i.e. back seat).
• If you are unable to maintain distance from the driver, please ensure all windows are down to allow for airflow throughout the vehicle.