Visitor Information

Western Health is open to family and friends 24 hours per-day when there are no visitor restrictions (please see current visitor restrictions here). Family and friends play an important role for patients and residents. That's why Western Health no longer has specific visiting hours. You are welcome to come and spend time with your loved one whenever they feel ready. There are some general guidelines that we ask you to follow, for the safety and well-being of everyone. 

  • If you feel unwell, have an infection or flu-like symptoms, we ask you to not visit until you are feeling well again.
  • People who are in the hospital need to rest and recover. We encourage you to visit often, but consider keeping your visits short in duration.
  • The number of visitors that a patient or resident should have at any one time is best determined with the help of the care team.
  • Children under the age of 14 should always be accompanied by an adult and have direct adult supervision (from someone other than the patient or resident) at all times.
  • In some cases, we may need to restrict visiting opportunities to protect the privacy and rights of other patients or residents. Also, in some cases, we may need to interrupt a visit if care is required.

While we do have an open visiting policy, some ares may have slightly different visitor guidelines. 

VISITORS IN EMERGENCY

If you are coming to see someone who is being treated in the Emergency department, we ask that the number of visitors are limited to one visitor at a time for adult patients or two adult visitors (parents) for infant/child patients. For more information on the Emergency department, please  click here. 

VISITORS IN CRITICAL CARE (ICU)

Family members and very close friends may visit patients in the Intensive Care Unit. The patient or a spokesperson for the patient should identify visitors the patient would want to see. To ensure patient privacy and in respect to other families in the ICU, we limit the number of visitors so that no more than two people are visiting a patient at one time. For more information about care in the ICU, please click here

VISITORS IN MENTAL HEALTH

We recognize that family members, friends and loved ones play an important part in a patient’s mental health recovery. To support quality patient care and recovery we recommend that you speak with the mental health staff about the best times to visit your loved one. Visiting may be restricted or interrupted at any time to protect the privacy, rights and safety of patients, visitors and staff. We recommend that you visit your loved one during non-therapy activities. Staff can help arrange for children to visit in a separate area outside the Mental Health Unit.

The main unit door is locked at all times. There is a phone located outside the locked door to speak with staff for entry to the unit. Visitors are expected to check in at the nursing station when they arrive. There are a number of items that are not permitted inside the unit, so please be sure to check with a member of the care team before bringing any items in with you.

VISITORS TO THE ADULT REHABILIATION UNIT

You are encouraged to visit during non-therapy activities.  Please speak to staff about the best times to visit your loved one. For more information about the Adult rehabilitation please click here.

Pets

We understand that animals can have an important role in the lives of some patients. If you would like to bring your family pet with you to visit a patient in the hospital, please speak to a member of the care-team ahead of time. They can help arrange and plan a visit that ensures the safety and comfort of all patients, families and staff. They will use the following guidelines when planning a visit from a pet.       

  • Pets are limited to cats and dogs.
  • The visit is planned with approximate arrival times and fixed duration of visits.
  • Proof of annual vaccination with evidence of flea/tick program is required.
  • The pet must be clean, well groomed, well behaved and kept under control at all times by someone other than the patient.
  • The pet must be walked on a leash, carried or transported in a pet carrier.
  • The person bringing the pet to the hospital should provide a blanket or pad for the pet to rest on.
  • Any messes made by the pet are to be cleaned up by the person who brought the pet to the hospital.
  • Hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub is required after the pet leaves the room.
  • Pet visitation is weighed against the risk of exposure to staff and patients who have allergies and will ultimately be decided by the care team in discussions with the patient.
  • Only one pet is permitted to visit a patient at one time.
  • Animal-assisted therapy (different from pet visitation) can arranged through Volunteer Services.

Masking recommendations for health-care facilities for the 2023-24 fall/winter respiratory season are as follows: 

  • Masking is currently encouraged for visitors and support persons in all clinical settings, including while visiting patients and residents and in waiting areas for health-care services/appointments. 
  • Additional masking protocols may be implemented if there is an outbreak at a facility; visitors/support persons should check with the care team in these situations for the required personal protective equipment. 
  • NL Health Services will continue to monitor epidemiology, hospitalizations and outbreaks and masking guidelines will be re-evaluated March 31, 2024. 

Reminders:  

  • Individuals who are seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) are required to wear a mask upon entry and while inside the health-care facility. Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.  
  • Visitors/support persons are also asked to consider the safety of those you are visiting. It can be especially important to wear a mask if you are around others who are at risk of more severe disease and outcomes, including those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults or young children. 
  • Masks continue to be available at health-care facilities across the province. Individuals can wear their own medical mask or a mask provided at the health-care facility.

Respect and Privacy

Western Health values respect and privacy and we work to ensure that our patients, families, visitors, staff, physicians, learners and volunteers are treated with care. Please respect everyone's right to privacy while they are in the hospital. Abusive, aggressive or violent behavior will not be tolerated. We thank you for your consideration and cooperation in making Western Health a safe place to be.

Here is some information about precautions and measures you can take to help prevent the spread of infections while in hospitals and health centres: