I am an essential visitor - what is important for me to know in order to safely visit the hospital?
We need your commitment to adhere to our safe visiting guidelines. This includes the following:
1) Masks must always be worn while in the hospital or on hospital property (i.e., while in parking garage, walking to the entrance).
2) No food or drink is to be brought into the hospital.
3) Absolutely no eating or drinking while in the hospital.
4) No flowers are to be brought into the hospital.
5) Personal items (i.e., mobility aids, personal hygiene items, clothing as appropriate) can be brought to patients
6) Food items (individually wrapped and commercially prepared) can be brought to patients. No shared food is allowed
We are screening everyone that comes to Lakeridge Health to ensure those entering are feeling well and free of illness. This includes all of the Lakeridge Health team. Please follow the signage to the screening entrance.
Once the screening questions are successfully passed, the family member/partner-in-care will be asked to perform hand hygiene and will be given a mask which is to be worn for the entire duration of the visit. You may wear your own mask so long as it covers your mouth and nose.
The family member/partner-in-care must remain in the designated visiting area until the end of the visit when they are ready to exit the hospital.
How can I schedule an appointment to visit my loved one on an inpatient unit?
All essential visits must be scheduled in advance by speaking to a member of the healthcare team on the unit. Before booking your first visit, staff will outline key information with you over the phone to help you prepare for your scheduled essential visit. Please do not schedule a visit if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.
Where can I find more information on Compassionate entry for travellers and limited release from quarantine?
For more information, please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice/compassionate-entry-limited-release-from-quarantine.html
Will there be an opportunity to receive updates regarding an inpatient’s condition from a Physician or member of the healthcare team when visiting?
Please note that the physician and healthcare team may not be available during the family member/partner-in-care’s scheduled visit to the hospital. We are committed to working in partnership with families and partners-in-care and would be happy to follow up in a phone call if we are unavailable to speak in person.
Are there any time restrictions for the essential visit?
In order to physically distance, there is a need to limit the volumes of essential visitors in each care area. As a result, we will be scheduling 45-60-minute visits. There may be exceptions when inpatients will be granted an essential visitor for a longer duration. Please speak with a member of the healthcare team to inquire about the exceptions for longer visit durations.
Are those who are allowed to visit able to use the washrooms in the hospital?
Yes, they may use designated washrooms in public areas (i.e. food court); however, families/partners-in-care are not permitted to use the washroom in a patient room or staff washrooms. Whenever possible, all family members/partners-in-care are encouraged to use the washroom before or after coming to the hospital.
Can families/partners-in-care bring in belongings for a patient?
Personal items may be dropped off to the screening centres at any of the hospitals. Please note that a family/partner-in-care will not be permitted to enter past the screening entrance unless they have booked a scheduled visit.
I am supposed to attend a family meeting; can I come in for that?
We want to make sure family meetings will continue. Meetings will be organized via telephone or virtually. A member of the healthcare team will contact you to make arrangements.
For any other questions, please speak with a member of the health care team. Thank you for your patience and support in keeping everyone safe.
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