NHH Visiting Guidelines
The hospital has returned to its previous 'open' visiting policy with the exception of units on a declared outbreak. Please see section ‘No In-Person Visiting on Inpatient Units on Outbreak’ for additional information.
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 communicable respiratory illnesses. 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.
NHH Is Mask-Friendly – Masking Optional in All Areas of the Hospital
NHH's Infection Prevention and Control and Occupational Health and Safety teams continue to monitor prevalence of respiratory illness in and around our area and hospital. Masking is optional but encouraged at NHH ('mask-friendly hospital), including areas of clinical and patient care, based on personal preference. Masks continue to be available free of charge for patients/visitors/staff who wish to don one but, unless requested for specific purposes, eg patients with symptoms of communicable respiratory illness, there is currently no blanket requirement to mask at NHH at this time.
For additional information, please see our Visiting Guidelines FAQ (below) and the latest related news release here.
No in-person visiting on inpatient units on outbreak
Visiting will be on hold for inpatients whose room is in unit designated in an ‘outbreak’ status by Public Health or for patients confirmed positive for COVID-19. Alerts regarding any outbreaks at NHH will be shared publicly as appropriate through NHH’s communication channels.
For further details, please see the FAQ document below:
Frequently Asked Questions - Visiting Guidelines (May 9, 2024)
Our aim is to strike an appropriate balance between access to loved ones and safety for all involved. Masking requirements will be subject to change or resume at any time on the recommendation of NHH’s Infection Prevention and Control team (IPAC) and Public Health Ontario. Sincere gratitude goes out to patients and visitors alike for the continued understanding and cooperation.