Update to Visitor Restrictions at Western Health Facilities
Western Health advises the public of updates to visitor restrictions, effective today, Monday, June 21, 2021. These updated guidelines replace the previous designated visitor process for visiting patients in hospital and long term care residents.
Visitation hours are determined by facility and support/visitor persons are advised to contact the patient/resident’s health care team for further information. All support persons/visitors must register upon arrival to the facility and be screened for COVID-19 prior to the visit. Visits will only proceed for individuals who meet the screening criteria.
These temporary visitation restrictions remain in place provincially to reduce the risk of possible transmission of COVID-19. Guidelines have been updated to reflect current epidemiology and population vaccination status and will continue to be monitored and updated accordingly. Effective today, the following restrictions are in place at Western Health facilities:
· Hospital patients can identify one support person and up to two visitors per day who can visit separately once a day unless otherwise advised by the clinical care team. The support person is not limited to one visit per day.
· Long term care residents can identify one support person and up to two visitors per day who can visit separately once a day, or at the same time (if physical distancing requirements can be maintained). Visitors are advised to connect with the resident’s health care team to discuss visitation hours. The support person is not limited to one visit per day.
· Obstetrics patients may have one support person during delivery, and up to two visitors per day are permitted after delivery until the mother leaves the hospital.
· Pediatric patients in hospital may have both parents/guardians visit at the same time and there are no restrictions on the number of visits per day. In addition, pediatric patients can have an additional two visitors per day who can visit separately once a day unless otherwise advised by the care team.
· Intensive care unit/critical care unit can identify one support person and up to two visitors per day who can visit at the same time unless otherwise advised by the care team. The support person is not limited to one visit per day.
· Out-patients and Emergency Department patients can be accompanied by one person for emergency, outpatient and ambulatory care clinics, appointments or procedures. Patients who can safely manage their interaction for out-patient care without assistance/support should attend unaccompanied.
· Palliative care and end-of-life visitation should be discussed with the care team.
Please note that some areas may not be able to accommodate multiple support people/visitors due to the need to maintain physical distancing requirements. In these cases, care teams will work with families to identify visitation options.
Support persons/visitors are advised that if they show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they should not enter a health care, or long term care/residential care site, and complete the online self-assessment here or contact 811. All support persons/visitors must be able to wear the mask provided at point of entry, and visitation may be suspended if visitors are not following procedures/facility policies.
Please note that approval of a travel exemption does not grant approval for a traveller to visit a loved one at a Western Health facility. An exemption must be granted to the traveller by Western Health. Individuals seeking an exemption are advised to contact the care team to request the exemption. Support persons/visitors are advised that if they show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they should not enter a health care facility, or long term care/residential care site and should complete the online self-assessment here or contact 811.
For updates pertaining to Western Health, please visit Western Health’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. General contact information for Western Health’s programs and services is available at Western Health’s website here.
For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.