Your Hospital Stay
Arrival Information
Patients arriving at the hospital for emergency treatment or an inpatient admission are asked to proceed directly to the Admitting/Registration desk, located on the main floor in the Emergency Department. This desk is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please present your valid Ontario Health Card and insurance information upon your arrival.
Discharge Information
Planning for discharge begins soon after you are admitted to the hospital. Discharge happens when you no longer need medical care at the hospital, and it can occur at any time throughout the day.
We know that preparing for discharge, either to your home or to another facility, can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially at the beginning of your care journey. Your care team will work with you, your family, and your caregiver(s) to prepare together the best plan possible for your safe transition home.
After you are admitted to the hospital, your health care team will work in partnership with you to plan your care goals and plan for the day when you will leave the hospital. This is called your day of discharge.
Conversations about your discharge will take place soon after you are admitted.
Knowing when you will leave the hospital can help you, your family, and caregiver(s) plan ahead and explore your options. Your health care team can also arrange any follow-up care you may need in time for when you leave the hospital.
Sometimes patients may be transferred to a different unit or another hospital during their stay. This depends on your needs and where you can best receive the care you require. Your health care team will keep you informed of any possible transfers. No matter where your care journey takes you, your care team will always help you prepare to leave the hospital.
Going home is typically the first choice for patients. This is called the home first approach.
If you need care at home, Ontario Health atHome will talk to you about your care needs, while you are in the hospital, about the resources in the community that may be right for you. They may contact you virtually (by phone) or in person, depending on your situation. If you have questions about home supports, ask your health care team for more information or see the related section, below.
Once you know your day of discharge, you will be expected to arrange your own transportation home. If you need help, ask your health care team for a list of phone numbers for travel options, such as an ambulance, taxi, or wheelchair accessible taxi. This information will also be found on the hospital’s website, under Patient Transportation.
Please note: Arranging for transportation home following an emergency visit, appointment or hospital stay is every patient's responsibility. Northumberland Hills Hospital does not pay for your transportation to leave the hospital.
What to Bring to Hospital
We hope you had time to prepare for your stay by packing a few personal items, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, pyjamas or nightgown, housecoat and slippers, shaving supplies, soap, shampoo, lotion and powder. If not, please talk to a staff member who will help make arrangements to get what you need. Most general grooming items are also available in the Little Treasure Shop on the first floor of the hospital, near the main entrance.
Smoking
The Northumberland Hills Hospital is a completely smoke-free environment, including all hospital grounds. Security guards will enforce this wellness policy. Some exceptions may be made for palliative care patients.
Parking
Patient and visitor parking is provided at NHH for a variable rate with automated pay stations located inside the hospital at both the main and Emergency Department entrances. Discounted parking passes are available for frequent visitors at 5-day, 10-day or monthly rates. For more information, please refer to the Parking area of this website, or contact the Finance Office on the second floor of the hospital, or by phone at 905-372-6811, ext. 4042, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Parking proceeds support patient care at the hospital.
Hospital Security
All physicians, staff and volunteers must wear photo identification. If you do not know who someone is, please ask to check his or her identification.
Patient Accounts
Patients are required to pay in full any charges not covered by OHIP or your insurance provider. The hospital is not responsible for knowledge of your insurance coverage, it is the responsibility of each patient.
The Patients Accounts Office is located in the Finance Office on the second floor of the hospital, in the Administration Department. Payments may be made in person at the NHH Patient Accounts desk (open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday), at the Ambulatory Care Registration Desk (open 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday), next to the Gift Shop on the main level, or at the Admitting/Switchboard, located next to the Emergency Department (open 24 hours/day, 7 days a week). Payment is accepted by Interac, cheque, cash or credit card (Visa, American Express or MasterCard). Payment may also be made at any time via a secure online payment system through the Online Payment area of our website.
When paying a patient account, please remember to bring the following:
- Patient bill or statement
- Insurance information, if applicable
- Ontario Health Card
- Cheque, cash, Interac or credit card
If you have questions regarding your bill, please call Patient Accounts at 905-372-6811, ext. 4042.
Patient & Visitor Services
Inquiry Desk:
The Inquiry Desk is located on the first floor, at the hospital's main entrance. This desk is staffed by volunteers, and is equipped with a directional map to assist with hospital wayfinding.
Gift Shop:
The Little Treasure Shop is operated by hospital Auxiliary members. Gifts, toys, cards, magazines and confections may be purchased from the gift shop located on the first floor near the main entrance of the hospital. The Little Treasure Shop is open seven days a week.
Guest Wireless Network:
NHH offers free wireless Internet access to patients and visitors. Our Guest Wireless Network is compatible with most wireless-ready computing devices and connectivity is available throughout the hospital. Follow these steps to connect:
- Enable the wireless feature on your device
- Connect to the "NHHGUEST" network
- Once connected, open your browser. On your first attempt to navigate to a website, you will be redircted to our NHH landing page. You must read and accept this disclaimer at the bottom of the page before proceeding, and provide your email address.
Troubleshooting Tips for NHH's Guest Wireless Network are avilable on request from your healthcare provider. NHH cannot provide technical support for your device or your software configuration.
TV Service:
The installation of NHH’s new patient entertainment system is officially complete in all inpatient rooms and 22 common areas across the hospital.
Please refer to the following FAQ for additional information about rentals, service rates, and more.
Spiritual Care:
Spiritual Care Services support people of all faiths and those who consider themselves spiritual, but are not religious. A Spiritual Care Committee and an on-call Spiritual Care Program work in collaboration wiht local faith communities to support interfaith care for patients, families and team members at NHH. NHH's Spiritual Care Centre serves many purposes and many faiths. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Centre is located on the first floor adjacent to the Laboratory. Interfaith services open to participants of all faiths are held Thursday afternoons at 3 p.m. Patients, friends and family members are welcome. Volunteer chaplains are also available to you and your family for counsel or support. Please contact any member of our health care team for details.
Main St. Bistro:
This restaurant-style cafeteria is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vending machines are located in the lobby of the Emergency/Admitting area and in the Bistro. The Bistro is not open on statutory holidays or weekends.