- Patients and visitors
- What to expect
- Infection prevention at St John of God Health Care
Infection prevention at St John of God Health Care

Patients and clients
To reduce the risk of spreading infectious illnesses, including COVID-19, all hospital patients and clients attending our facilities are screened for signs of infection.
Screening involves questions about exposure to COVID-19 and to confirm that you do not have any symptoms. You may be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 or other respiratory infections if indicated.
If you are due to come in for admission and you are feeling unwell or have any of the following symptoms, please inform the hospital and your doctor before attending.
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or more)
- cough
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- loss of smell or taste
- runny nose
- diarrhoea
- nausea or vomiting.
If you have recently had a confirmed case of COVID-19, please speak with your doctor to discuss your circumstances and upcoming surgery.
Your doctor or health care professional will let you know about any testing requirements ahead of your booked admission or appointment.
If you need urgent medical care call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
If you are attending an outpatient or day program, please notify in advance if you have any signs or symptoms of infectious or respiratory illnesses before attending such as:
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or more)
- cough
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- loss of smell or taste
- runny nose
- diarrhoea
- nausea or vomiting
- rash.
Please remember to regularly wash your hands, stay physically distanced, and stay home if you feel unwell.
Personal protective equipment (PPE), testing and health monitoring, ventilation, hand hygiene, cleaning practices and vaccination programs are all used to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and provide a safe space for caregivers, clients and visitors.
Caregivers are also trained to provide direction and guidance in promoting and supporting clients to maintain healthy lifestyles including infection control practices.
We are committed to ensuring you receive the best possible care in the comfort of your own home.
We ask you please telephone 1300 475 442 before we visit your home if you have any signs or symptoms of infectious or respiratory illnesses before attending such as:
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or more)
- cough
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- loss of smell or taste
- runny nose
- diarrhoea
- nausea or vomiting
- rash
- confirmed COVID-19.
Or if:
- there is someone living in your house who has COVID-19.
Visitors to hospitals and services
The safety and wellbeing of everyone in our hospitals and services is our highest priority. St John of God Health Care welcomes all visitors but we request that you do not visit if you:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past seven days.
- Are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
- Have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past seven days.
- Have any of the following symptoms of respiratory or infectious illness, including:
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or more)
- cough
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- loss of smell or taste
- runny nose
- diarrhoea
- nausea or vomiting
- rash.
Exemptions for visiting are always considered at each hospital’s discretion for cases involving end of life care, emergency care, childbirth or the care of a dependent child.
At times of increases circulation or respiratory viruses in either the hospital or community it may be requested that masks are worn by visitors.
Please remember to perform hand hygiene with either soap and water or the alcohol-based hand rubs located around the hospital and please stay home if you are unwell.
For further information or assistance, contact your hospital directly.
- St John of God Bunbury Hospital
- St John of God Geraldton Hospital
- St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals
- St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital
- St John of God Murdoch Hospital
- St John of God Subiaco Hospital
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