NHH Visiting Guidelines
With the exception of areas identified on outbreak, most COVID-19 visiting restrictions have been lifted and the hospital has returned to its previous 'open' visiting policy. There is no daily maximum of visitors or essential caregivers and no set visiting hours. Visits should not be planned during therapy or treatment times, and the privacy and healing environment of all patients and their families must be respected at all times.
Self screening required of all visitors
Visitors to NHH are expected to self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness and visitors are accountable for deciding for themselves if they are ill or at risk of a potential exposure. If you are experiencing symptoms of any kind it is expected, for the safety of your loved ones and others, that you will postpone your visit to patients in the hospital. Proof of vaccination is not presently required by visitors, but staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is strongly recommended by all visitors who enter.
Masking still required in clinical and patient care areas
Effective May 17, masking remains in place throughout NHH’s clinical and patient care areas, including Community Mental Health offices. Masking is now optional in common areas and non-patient care areas.
Visitors continue to have access to free masks. No eating or drinking is permitted by visitors in patient rooms at this time due to the infection risk that this could pose.
For additional information, please see our Visiting Guidelines FAQ (below) and the related news release here.
No in-person visiting on inpatient units on outbreak
Visiting will continue to be on hold for inpatients whose room is located in a COVID-19 hot zone (i.e. a unit designated in a COVID-19 ‘outbreak’ status by Public Health) OR confirmed or presumed positive for COVID-19. There are no active COVID-19 outbreaks at NHH. Alerts regarding any new COVID-19 outbreaks at NHH will be shared publicly as appropriate through NHH’s communication channels.
For further details, please see FAQ document below:
Frequently Asked Questions - Visiting Guidelines (May 23, 2023)
Our aim is to strike an appropriate balance between access to loved ones and safety for all involved. Sincere gratitude goes out to patients and visitors alike for the continued understanding and cooperation. We will monitor the situation closely, and update our Visiting Guidelines as required.
Limited virtual visiting appointments available on request
Virtual visiting appointments remain a good alternative to consider if you are unable to enter the hospital at this time to see a loved one. Virtual visiting is available on an as-requested basis. Virtual visits may be requested by either patients or by their family members or friends. Phone appointments are also available on request.
Those interested in requesting a Virtual Visiting appointment with an individual admitted to NHH can contact the hospital’s Virtual Visiting Team at 905-372-6811 ext. 3146 or send an email to virtualconnections@nhh.ca and include their preferred contact information, as well as the unit, room number and initials of the patient they would like to connect with (note: to protect patient privacy, the patient’s full name should not be included in the email).
For more information and a list of FAQ's, please click the button below to visit the Virtual Visiting page: