Visiting Hours and Information

Updated July 20, 2023

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.

Current Outbreaks at BCHS
There are currently no outbreaks

Please Note: Units in outbreak may be closed to visitors. When visiting is allowed, visitors must comply with isolation precautions and hand hygiene.

Mask-Friendly Policy in Effect

On May 1, 2023, Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) shifted from a Universal Masking Policy to a Mask-Friendly Policy.

This means that patients and families, visitors, employees, professional staff and volunteers will no longer be required to wear a mask within hospital sites.

Please note the following exceptions which will continue to require masking:

Patients with acute respiratory symptoms.
Visitors may be required to wear a mask in outbreak units.
Visitors may be required to wear a mask while interacting with patients who have specific isolation precautions that must be followed.

Masks will continue to be available at both BCHS sites for those who would like to wear one, and individuals will be respected and supported in their decision to do so.

For visitors, if you are feeling unwell, please stay home. This will help us continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients and community.

More Information:

This decision has been informed by the recent updates from Public Health Ontario, which include masking requirements for hospitals and advising that Ontario is considered to be in a “non-high risk period.” This shift is also supported by regional and hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control experts.

Like all COVID-19 policies and practices, the need for universal masking will be subject to ongoing evaluation in relation to the spread of COVID-19 and will be revisited if needed. All decisions will continue to be based on provincial guidance/direction and informed by subject matter experts. Details/rationale will be communicated widely.

Enhanced Cleaning

The Environmental Services team at BCHS is following strictly enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures to ensure a clean and safe environment for our patients, staff and physicians.

Visitor Safety Guidelines to Follow While Inside the Hospital:

All visitors must complete and pass self-screening and follow the visitor rules.

Must pass self-screening for acute respiratory infection/COVID-19 before coming inside the hospital. If you are not feeling well please do not visit the hospital.
BCHS follows a mask-friendly policy. This means that patients and families, visitors, employees, professional staff and volunteers will no longer be required to wear a mask within hospital sites with the exception of a unit in outbreak. Masks are available at main entrances for anyone who wishes to wear one. We ask that everyone support and respect every individual in their personal choice regarding masking.
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.
Do not eat or drink while inside an isolation room.
Use public washroom(s) and not patient washrooms.
Visitors may be asked to leave the room at any time to allow BCHS staff into the room to carry out their duties.

*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 located on a unit in a COVID outbreak. Exceptions may be made for compassionate reasons, as approved by the department manager.
If they are experiencing any acute respiratory infection/COVID-19 symptoms.

Please note: Special consideration may be given for visitors visiting a palliative patient. These circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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.

Unit Specific Visitor Policies:

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 two visitors at their bedside at any given time, three if there is a child present. Children under the age of 12 who are supervised 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.
Two visitors 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

Two visitors/caregivers for all pediatric patients (under the age of 18) in the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centre and Inpatient Units. One visitor/caregiver after 8 p.m. Visitors who are under the age of 12 must be siblings and supervised.
One visitor/caregiver for pediatric outpatients (i.e. PARS & Bili Clinic).
One asymptomatic visitor/caregiver may be the support person for pediatric inpatients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 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.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Two visitors/caregivers for NICU patients. One visitor after 8 p.m.

Labour & Delivery and Post Partum

Two visitors/caregivers for all Labour & Delivery and Post-Partum patients. Unlimited length of visit. One visitor/caregiver after 8:00 p.m. Visitors who are under the age of 12 must be siblings and supervised.
Exceptional circumstances requiring more than two visitors/caregivers at a time include: midwife, surrogate parent, adoptive parent.
One asymptomatic visitor/caregiver may be the support person for a pediatric inpatient with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 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.

Critical Care

Visiting hours on the Critical Care Unit are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Two visitors are permitted at the bedside at a time between the daily visiting hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. One visitor after 8:00 p.m.
For visitors of patients who are at end-of-life, please see “Patients at End-of-Life” section.

Patients at End-of-Life

Patients who are at end-of-life may have more than two visitors at the bedside at a time. Please coordinate with the care team.
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 Experience Office at ext. 2395 or patientexperience@bchsys.org.

*BCHS reviews its hospital visitor policy and guidelines regularly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone at our hospital sites.

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 perform hand hygiene, complete and pass screening and follow the visitor rules.

Map of Brantford General Hospital	Map of the Willett Urgent Care Centre

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 ext. 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.