Visiting Hours and Information

Brant Community Healthcare System Visiting Hours and Information

We know how important visitors are to patients who have been admitted to the hospital, and we have a policy in place to accommodate visitors in a safe and controlled manner. Click here to read the convenient Visitor Information Pamphlet.

Visitor Safety Guidelines to Follow While Inside the Hospital:

Must pass self-screening for COVID-19 before coming inside the hospital.
Wear the mask provided at screening at all times. Those who refuse to properly wear a mask will not be permitted entry. Visitors are encouraged to speak with us if they have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask. We will work with visitors to accommodate their needs.
Clean your hands when you enter the building, when entering and exiting the patient’s room, during your stay and when you leave.
Put on the appropriate personal protective equipment as shown on the sign posted outside the patient’s room.
Maintain physical distancing of six feet (two metres) from others and follow the signs that limit the number of people in rooms and elevators.
Stay in the patient’s room for the duration of the visit. Visitors must not visit common areas located within the unit. Exceptions may be made for patients/visitors on post-acute units or utilization of the Indigenous Family Space.
Do not eat or drink while inside the hospital. Exceptions include the designated cafeteria space.
Use public washroom(s) and not patient washrooms.

*Visitors who refuse follow safety guidelines may lose their visiting privileges.*

We continue to encourage everyone in our community, including visitors, to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The COVID-19 vaccine continues to offer strong protection against serious hospitalizations.

Visitors are not permitted:

For patients in droplet/contact precautions with an Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) flag.
For patients having Aerosol Generating Medical Procedures that are also in ARI/COVID precautions.
For patients with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or deemed a COVID-19 contact (see Pediatric & NICU and Labour & Delivery and Post-Partum for exceptions).
For patients located on a unit in a COVID outbreak.
If they have tested positive for COVID or had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID within the past 10 days. Symptoms must also be improving for 24 hours with no gastrointestinal symptoms for at least 48 hours.
If they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
If they are required to isolate as per the Quarantine Act.

Effective Monday October 3rd, 2022, patients in Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) precautions will be permitted 1 visitor at the bedside at a time between the visiting hours of 9am-8pm. Visitors entering ARI precaution rooms must be compliant with wearing droplet/contact precautions personal protective equipment (PPE). COVID positive patients are included in this criteria, but will be asked to designate 2 potential visitors, with only 1 visitor at the bedside at a time.

Emergency & Urgent Care

Visiting hours in the emergency department are 24 hours a day, 7 day a week.

One visitor for all adult Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre patients. Two visitors for a pediatric and NICU patients.
The need for a visitor will be constantly re-assessed by the care team and support persons may be asked to leave at any time based upon conditions within the department.

Inpatient Care

Patients admitted to the hospital (inpatients) are permitted one visitor at the bedside at a time.

Inpatient visiting hours are daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Patients admitted to the hospital (inpatients) are permitted one visitor at their bedside at any given time, two if there is a child present. Children under the age of 12 who are supervised and able to mask may visit.
COVID positive patients will be permitted one visitor at the bedside at a time, with a maximum of two designated.

Mental Health Inpatient Unit

Visiting hours on the Mental Health Inpatient Unit are weekdays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visits are booked for 2 hours per visitor.
One visitor per patient at a time. Patients may have multiple visitors per day if availability allows.
Patients can call 519-751-5544 extension 2424 to preschedule appointment. Same day bookings will be accommodated availability permitting.

Pediatric Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Two visitors for all pediatric patients (under the age of 18) in the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centre and Inpatient Units. One visitor after 8 p.m.
One visitor for pediatric outpatients (i.e. PARS & Bili Clinic).
Two visitors for NICU patients. One visitor after 8 p.m.
One household, asymptomatic visitor may be the support person for a pediatric inpatient, for a confirmed or suspected COIVD-19 patient as long as the clinical team is able to provide the visitor with a safe environment and teaching necessary for infection control.
For special circumstances, accommodations will be made as required.

Labour & Delivery and Post Partum

Two visitors for all Labour & Delivery and Post-Partum patients. Unlimited length of visit.
Exceptional circumstances requiring two visitors at a time include: midwife, surrogate parent, adoptive parent.
One household, asymptomatic visitor may be the support person for a pediatric inpatient, for a confirmed or suspected COIVD-19 patient as long as the clinical team is able to provide the visitor with a safe environment and teaching necessary for infection control.
For special circumstances, accommodations will be made as required.

Outpatient Care

One visitor may accompany each outpatient to their appointment.

Patients at End-of-Life

Patients who are at end-of-life may have up to two visitors at the bedside at a time, and an additional person who is a spiritual leader may also be present.
Visiting may occur after-hours in consultation with the care team.

The care team will do everything possible to accommodate visitors. These may be times we are unable to do so and the reasons will be communicated to the patient and/or visitors. If you are waiting for another visit to finish, please wait in the Cafeteria located near the D-Wing entrance at BGH.

As situations may be unique, the Clinical Manager or delegate will determine whether a visitor meets the exceptional criteria and will work with the clinical team, patient and family on compassionate expectations. In some situations, the appeals process may be triggered to assist in finding an agreeable resolution through the Patient Relations Department at extension 2395 or patientrelations@bchsys.org.

Visitors Entering BCHS Sites

Brantford General Hospital: All visitors may enter the hospital through the A-Wing, D-Wing or Emergency Department entrance. Please note that the A-Wing entrance doors are open between 5:30am - 9:00pm and the D-Wing entrance doors are open from 5:30am - 8:00pm. If you are visiting the hospital after hours please enter through the Emergency Department doors located off of Terrace Hill Street.

The Willett: All visitors may enter through the Urgent Care Entrance. If you are attending the COVID-19 Assessment Centre you may enter through the Alexander Street entrance.

All visitors must complete and pass self-screening, wear the mask provided by the hospital at screening and agree to the visitor rules.

After Your Visit

If you have questions about the BCHS Visitor Policy, please contact a member of your loved one’s care team by calling Switchboard at 519-751-5544 extension 0.

Safe-Walk Program

To ensure safe and secure access to BCHS at any time of the day or night, Security Services offers the Safe-Walk Program. This program is available to all patients, visitors and staff members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please call Security Services at 519-732-0581 or Ext. 4949 to use this service. Security Services personnel will meet you at a prearranged location to escort you between the hospital and your vehicle or the bus stops located in the immediate vicinity of the Hospital.

Map of Brantford General Hospital

Map of BCHS