Our Visitor and Essential Care Partner Policy is as follows (see COVID-19 and outbreak policy exceptions below):
- Patients 18 years of age or older who are admitted to hospital can have up to two visitors, 14 years old or older unless accompanied by an adult, at the bedside at any time 24 hours a day, seven days a week with some exceptions. Visitors can change throughout the day and from day to day.
- Patients admitted to hospital with fundamental care needs (i.e. high falls risk, support needed for nutrition, positioning, toileting, etc.) can have two approved ECPs at the bedside at any time 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Patients at end of life or receiving palliative care can have up to four visitors at the bedside at any time 24 hours a days, seven days a week, as well as a spiritual care practitioner as needed.
- Labour and Delivery, NICU and Paediatric patients can have up to two ECPs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (patient may decide to have a doula as a third ECP).
- Post-Partum patients can have two ECPs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Siblings may visit Post-Partum, NICU and Paediatrics Units during daytime hours with the following guidelines:
- Must wear a mask and must stay in patient’s room for the visit
- Visits should be no longer than one to two hours at a time
- Only one visit per sibling during the 24 hour stay in Post-Partum
- Patients receiving care in one of our outpatient clinics, Emergency Departments or our Urgent Care Centre can have one visitor if the patient is 18 years old or older and two visitors if the patient is 17 years old or younger.
Visitors may be asked to wait in common areas such as our cafeterias or lobby areas due to the space limitations in many of our outpatient wait rooms. When possible, if support isn't needed, we ask that outpatients be dropped off and picked up.
Do all units/Osler sites have the same visiting hours?
While the visiting hours for most units/Osler sites are 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there are the following exceptions:
- Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
- Child and Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health Unit: 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
- Reactivation Care Centre: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Withdrawal Management Centre: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Monday to Sunday - half an hour visits only)
Please note that visitations are restricted on our mental health units to promote and increase participation in the therapeutic treatment groups/programs.
Are there situations in which I may be asked to delay or stagger my visit?
Yes, the clinical team may ask visitors to wait elsewhere if there are too many people in a room or if there is private care being provided or an urgent need for extra staff to respond to patient care needs.
Can I visit someone who is COVID-19 positive or is suspected of being COVID-19 positive?
Visitors cannot visit with the exception of those visiting a patient at end of life. One approved ECP can visit to provide fundamental care needs. Those approved must:
- wear a hospital-issued mask at all times while on the unit
- sign the visitor log book
- follow all infection prevention and control guidelines
Can I visit someone who is on a unit that has a declared outbreak?
Visitors cannot visit any unit experiencing an outbreak with the exception of those who are visiting a patient at end of life. One approved ECP can visit to provide fundamental care needs. Those approved must:
- wear a hospital-issued mask at all times while on the unit
- sign the visitor log book
- follow all infection prevention and control guidelines