Coronavirus FAQs

Visitors are not required to wear a mask on entry to MUH, but it is recommended that masks be worn if visiting vulnerable patients or if there are any respiratory symptoms.  In some circumstances a staff member may request visitors to wear a mask. We appreciate your co-operation.

Visitors will be permitted if they:

• have not tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 7 days.
• have not tested positive for another acute respiratory infection in the last 7 days.
• are not a high risk or household/close contact of someone who has had COVID-19 within the previous 7 days.
• do not have COVID-19 or other respiratory infection symptoms.
• have not arrived from overseas within the last 7 days.

Patients who have travelled overseas within the last 7 days, should advise the hospital or their doctor before their scheduled appointment or surgery.

Screening: Patients being admitted to Macquarie University Hospital are not required to have a PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to admission unless they are:

• Considered a close contact
• Have infectious COVID-19 symptoms
• Have returned from overseas in the last 7 days.

The PCR negative result will need to be presented on admission. If in any event you receive a positive result or have tested positive within the previous 7 weeks, kindly contact your surgeon as soon as possible.

Day Oncology and Infusion Department: This department currently allows one visitor to accompany a patient.

ICU/CCU Department: This department currently allows two visitors.

Telehealth services

Where appropriate, our clinicians are utilising Telehealth services for new and follow up consultations for both our specialist and primary care clinics. This may be a video or telephone consultation. Please contact the relevant clinic to find out more, and if this is a suitable option for you.

Patients are welcome to attend our clinics to receive healthcare in person. People with any of the following symptoms should inform the clinic they are visiting prior to coming in for their appointment:

• fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher)
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
• runny nose
• loss of taste
• loss of smell.

Clinics may require patients attending for specific purposes to provide details of any symptoms, or evidence of a negative COVID-19 assessment before a face-to-face consultation can be offered. Clinics will discuss this with patients when booking or confirming appointments.

MMI: Patients who are symptomatic or deemed high risk should undertake a PCR or perform a RAT prior to attendance.

Household contacts: Patients and visitors who are household contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case are not permitted in MQ Health Clinics for seven days.

Face masks: Face masks are not mandatory but recommended for all patients and visitors that have any respiratory symptoms. Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a mask.

Social distancing in outpatient clinics: MQ Health Clinics have implemented a number of social distancing measures to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.  Patients and visitors are asked to maintain physical distancing and use the hand sanitiser available. We also ask that you do not pay in cash.

For any other questions, patients should contact the clinic/s they are attending. Clinic contact details can be found here.