Visiting Guidelines & Mask Friendly Policy

Visiting Guidelines & Mask Friendly Policy

Visitor Policy

Visiting Guidelines 

Inpatients:

  • Two (2) visitors permitted per day.
  • Visiting between 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
  • Children under 12 years of age are permitted to visit in consultation with the care team.

Patients who are acutely palliative, actively dying or critically ill:

  • Unlimited visitors, visiting two (2) at a time.
  • Anytime 24/7.

Obstetrical patients, pediatric patients, Special Care Nursery patients and women in labour:

  • Two (2) visitors permitted for duration of labour and/or stay.
  • Doula, birthing coach or support person for surrogate are permitted to attend birth in addition to the two (2) visitors.
  • If there are care requirements outside of these guidelines, please speak to the care team.

Outpatients and Emergency Department:

  • One (1) visitor to accompany the patient, as required.

Visitors who feel unwell should not enter the hospital (unless seeking care in the Emergency Department, or if prior approval has been granted by a leader, i.e. visiting a patient who is critically ill or palliative, or a woman in labour). 

Hospital Entry 

Entry hours:

  • South Entrance: Open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Weekends open 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
  • East Entrance: Open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Weekends open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
  • North Entrance: Open 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Closed on weekends)
  • Emergency Entrance: Open 24/7

Mandatory Masking in Patient Care Areas

Patients and visitors are required to wear a mask in waiting rooms and when interacting with health care providers.

Masks are strongly recommended in public spaces, but not required.

Patients entering the hospital with fever or respiratory symptoms are required to wear a mask. Visitors who feel unwell are asked to postpone visiting loved ones until they feel well.

Why? This change aligns with Public Health Ontario's guidance as well as other hospitals in the South West region, in response to increasing rates of COVID-19 and respiratory illness across the region. The safety of patients and staff is top priority.

Masks are available at all entrances and in clinical areas.