All visitors are required to wear a face shield in addition to a mask while visiting a patient. Face shields will be provided to visitors on entry to the hospital or on the unit. Please refer to our policy regarding these issues and limited exemptions for patients/visitors not to wear a mask.
There will be two-time slots available for patients to visit:
- 10 am to 12 noon
- 6 pm to 8 pm (except Critical Care units)
- 8 pm to 10 pm (Critical Care units only)
Considerations of which visitors are considered "essential" should include:
- Those who are visiting/accompanying a patient who is dying or very ill
- A parent/guardian of a youth who is a patient, support person for a pregnant patient in labour
- Visitors of patients who require physical assistance
- Visitors providing essential support to a patient.
No visitation is allowed for patients with active, confirmed or suspected COVID-19, due to the extremely high risk to patients, staff, and visitors. Virtual visits for these patients will be supported using technology such as iPads.
More than one visitor may be allowed in the following circumstances:
- Two visitors may rotate (1 visitor at a time) 24/7 for palliative patients
- Two visitors may visit 24/7 for a patient who is near end of life; a one-time visit may be approved for up to 4 visitors- may include visitors less than 18 years of age when accompanied by an adult.
- For Mental Health: 1 essential visitor per patient for 30 minutes during designated times. However, a maximum of 4 visitors will be allowed into 3N and 3S and a maximum of 2 visitors into PICU at a time. Visits must take place in designated common areas and are not permitted in patient rooms.
Please note that the exceptions process for emergency or out-patient services involves a risk assessment conducted by the clinic/service to determine the risks posed to the patient, other patients, and the visitor. if they may have a visitor accompany them on the visit.
For scheduled out-patient cancer appointments with a provider, the patient may have one essential visitor accompany them. This does not include appointments for lab work, medical treatment, or diagnostic imaging.
For outpatient departments, the patient will be advised at the time they are informed of their appointment date
Patients with disabilities that are determined by clinical teams to require personal support of a family member/caregiver will be allowed one visitor who will remain with the patient for the entire visit or in space designated by the clinical team if a procedure requires it.
For a pregnant patient in labour
- Following the birth, the visitor becomes essential for the newborn and must remain at the bedside until discharge (the mother is not allowed a separate visitor post-delivery). If the essential visitor leaves the hospital after the birth, they cannot return and no additional visitors would be permitted.
- All NICU and Paediatric patients may have two essential visitors between 0800-2000. Only allowing one essential visitor to stay overnight.
If the patient in labour is confirmed or suspected COVID-19
- The visitor remains with the patient in the same physical environment throughout the care delivery,
- The clinical team is able to provide the visitor with a safe environment and teaching necessary for infection control.
- The visitor is masked and reports to Public Health as they may be required to self-isolate, depending on test results
Essential visitors will be restricted if they:
- Are less than 18 years of age (except as above)
- Are symptomatic
- Have been outside of Canada in the last 14 days
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 (and are not resolved cases )
- Have had close contact with a confirmed case or probable case of COVID-19
Have had close contact with a person with an acute respiratory illness who has been Outside of Canada in the 14 days before their symptom onset.
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