Starting today, Niagara Health is expanding the opportunities to visit patients currently admitted to hospitals in Niagara.
On Monday, NH released the following expanded visitor guidelines to include:
- Inpatient units: Up to two visitors at a patient’s bedside during visiting hours (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Outpatient clinics and appointments: All patients can now bring one Support Person with them (previously this was in exceptional circumstances only).
- Childbirth: Up to two people at a patient’s bedside at a time, to be coordinated between Support Person and visitors.
- Neonatal ICU: Two parents and/or caregivers can be designated visitors and can visit anytime together.
- Spiritual Care Visitors: Faith community leaders who are registered with Niagara Health can visit 24/7 with all their congregants and/or parishioners who are in the hospital, instead of scheduling separate trips to the hospital for each patient. Learn more about our Spiritual and Religious Care services.
Everyone entering the hospital; including those who have been vaccinated; must pass COVID-19 screening, wear a mask, practice hand hygiene and physical distance when possible.
Changes started ramping up in June, following rapidly decreasing Covid-activity in the hospitals.
“Having a loved one present in the hospital has a positive impact on the well-being of our patients,” says Heather Paterson, Interim Executive Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at Niagara Health.
“Since June 24, over 15,000 visitors and Support Persons have already been able to spend time with their loved ones in the hospital. With the current low number of COVID-19 cases in the community and the increasing vaccination rates across the region, we look forward to continuing the rollout our phased approach to welcome back more visitors and Support Persons.”
As of Monday, three patients were admitted to hospital, with a single case in the ICU.
