Updated July 26, 2021
Welcoming back visitors
We know how important visitors are to our patients who have been admitted to the hospital and are pleased to welcome you back.
There are a number of infection prevention and control measures in place for everyone’s safety, and these measures must be followed throughout your visit. Please review the information here to plan your visit.
Visiting Patients Admitted in Hospital
Visiting hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Only two people allowed at a patient’s bedside at any given time.
- Visitors must be six years of age and older (children must be accompanied by an adult at all times).
- Coordinate ahead of time with the patient and other visitors so that only two people are in the room at a time (including Essential Care Partners and Support Persons).
- Please stay in the patient room with your loved one for the duration of the visit.
- If you are waiting for another visit to finish, please wait outside the building or in your car.
- If you are switching with another visitor, we ask that you go outside to avoid confusion on the inpatient unit floor.
You can print out this handout for an easy reference.
Visiting Patients in Extended Care Unit
Visiting hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Please follow all visiting guidelines implemented by the Ministry of Long Term Care.
Other opportunities to support your loved ones in the hospital:
Support Person for Emergency Department, Urgent Care and for Same-Day Appointments
A Support Person is someone who is 16 years of age or older who can accompany a patient and support them through the care they are receiving. They will come to the hospital with the patient and stay with them for their entire visit.
One Support Person may accompany a patient:
- in our Emergency Departments or Urgent Care Centres (Updated July 19 to include all patients),
- to same-day appointments (Updated July 26 to include all patients), and
- for childbirth.
To learn more about guidelines for Support Persons, please call the unit directly where the patient is receiving care or call our Switchboard at 905-378-4647.
Essential Care Partners (ECPs)
A patient may be eligible to have an Essential Care Partner (ECP) trained to be part of their care team if they are admitted to an inpatient bed for longer than seven days or they have a preplanned surgery. Patients request an ECP by speaking with their care team.
The ECP program, launched in January 2021, allows patients to designate up to two loved ones who can provide emotional, cognitive and/or physical care as part of their overall healthcare team. Different than a visitor, an ECP is someone who is considered essential to the safety and well-being of a patient while they are in the hospital. Support can include things like assisting in decision-making, helping patients with eating or other tasks and communicating with hospital staff and physicians when they notice changes in behaviour.
Learn about the program and apply today
Visitors and Support Persons entering hospital buildings must:
Pass screening for COVID-19 before coming inside the hospital.
Provide a name and phone number to staff to support contact tracing.
Wear a mask at all times, even if you have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Clean your hands when you enter the building, during your stay and when you leave.
Maintain a safe physical distance of six feet (two metres) from others and follow the signs that limit the number of people in rooms, elevators and common areas.
Do not eat or drink while inside the hospital.
Bring only essential items for patients, no valuables or plants that are in soil.
Wear your identifying sticker in an easy-to-see spot. This shows that you passed COVID-19 screening and may go in and out of the hospital as needed.
Resources
Guidelines for Visitors, Support Persons and Essential Care Partners
Extraordinary Caring. Every Person. Every Time.
