Visiting Hours and Information

Brant Community Healthcare System Visiting Hours and Information

We know how important Essential Care Partners are to patients who have been admitted to the hospital, and we have a policy in place to accommodate ECPs in a safe and controlled manner. Please note that there are no general visitors permitted in hospital at this time. Click here to read the convenient Essential Care Partner Information Pamphlet.

Essential care partners (ECPs) are individuals who are designated by the patient as persons who provide direct support to a patient requiring cognitive support, physical care, emotional support and/or cultural/language interpretation support.

As a result of the rapidly evolving situation with the Omicron variant, Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) is implementing changes to its visitor policy. As of December 22, 2021, all Essential Care Partners must show proof of being fully vaccinated at screening with two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine (14 days post second dose) and government I.D. ECPs will not be permitted entry into the hospital if they are unable to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

There will be limited exceptions:

Families of End-of-Life patients – as determined by the clinical team
One ECP for patients in the Emergency Department
One ECP for patients in Labour and Delivery
One parent or ECP of patients under the age of 18 years old
Proof of medical exemption or human rights exemption for COVID-19 vaccine
ECP who agrees to be vaccinated with proof of 1st dose by January 4, 2022.

Exceptions will require proof of a negative COVID test result at screening. This includes proof of a negative rapid test within 12 hours or a negative PCR swab result within 48 hours.

Please note: Unvaccinated ECPs in unpredictable situations (i.e. emergency or labour) do not need to provide proof of a negative COVID test before coming to the hospital. However, they may be asked to take a COVID rapid test onsite and must be compliant with PPE guidelines and the screening process.

Ensuring that everyone inside the hospital is vaccinated – all healthcare workers as well as visitors and support people – is critical to ensuring the safest therapeutic environment possible and protect vulnerable patients.

What is valid acceptable identification?
The identification must have been issued by a federal, provincial, territorial or state government authority and must not be expired. To be considered acceptable, the valid identification must also include your name, date of birth, photo and signature.

Valid pieces of Government I.D. includes:

Passport (an international passport is acceptable if it includes the name, date of birth, photo and signature of the applicant and, if not in English or French, is accompanied by a professionally translated version)
Driver's license or enhanced driver's license
Canadian military identification card
Government-issued identification card
Health card
Canadian citizenship card issued before February 1, 2012
Canadian permanent resident card
U.S. permanent resident card

For more information on valid identification please visit: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1516981589880/1572461616199.

Preparing your proof of vaccination:
To download your QR code, please visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/. You can also print your proof of COVID-19 vaccination for free at the Brantford Public Library.

Essential Care Partner Safety Guidelines to Follow While Inside the Hospital:

Must pass screening for COVID-19 before coming inside the hospital. All ECP's must show proof of being fully vaccinated at screening with two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine (14 days post second dose) and government I.D.
Wear the mask provided at screening at all times.
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. Going for walks is not currently permitted, unless to use a public washroom. Visitors must not visit common areas located within the unit. Exceptions may be made for utilization of the Indigenous Family Space.
Do not eat or drink while inside the hospital.
Use public washroom(s) and not patient washrooms.

*Essential Care Partners (ECPs) who refuse follow safety guidelines may lose their visiting privileges.*

Essential Care Partners are not permitted:

If they are not fully vaccinated and do not meet the exception criteria.
For patients in droplet/contact precautions with an Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) flag.
For patients with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or deemed a COVID contact.
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.
If they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
If they have been outside of Canada in the last 14 days and are required to isolate as per the Quarantine Act.

Emergency & Urgent Care

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

One ECP for all adult Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre patients. Two ECPs for a pediatric and NICU patients. ECPs may be vaccinated or unvaccinated given that they are compliant with PPE and pass screening.
The need for an ECP 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 ECP 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 ECP at their bedside at any given time, with the maximum of two designated ECPs. The individuals on the patient's list can be updated after a 14 day period.
Patients will connect with their care team who will help establish the schedule for visiting. ECPs must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. The care team will do everything possible to accommodate ECPs. There may be times we are unable to do so and the reasons will be communicated to the ECPs.

Mental Health Inpatient Unit

Visiting hours on the Mental Health Inpatient Unit are weekdays from 2 – 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Visits are booked for 2 hours per visitor. Visits must be scheduled in advance.

Pediatric Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Two ECPs for all pediatric patients (under the age of 18) in the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centre and Inpatient Units. One ECP after 8:00 p.m.
One ECP for pediatric outpatients (i.e. PARS & Bili Clinic).
Two ECPs for NICU patients. One ECP after 8:00 p.m.
For special circumstances, accommodations will be made as required.

Labour & Delivery and Post Partum

One ECP for a patient in labour. After birth, one ECP for the duration of the hospitalization. Unlimited length of visit.
Exceptional circumstances requiring two ECPs at a time include: midwife, surrogate parent, adoptive parent.
For special circumstances, accommodations will be made as required.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient accompaniment continues by exception only: One ECP is allowed for patients requiring cognitive, mobility or emotional support and must be approved in advance by clinic staff.
The Cancer Clinic (Oncology) allows one ECP to be present.

Patients at End-of-Life

Patients who are at end-of-life may have up to two ECPs at the bedside at a time, and an additional person who is a spiritual leader may also be present.
Up to 5 designated ECPs permitted per patient. ECPs may be exempt from the age requirement.
Visiting may occur after-hours in consultation with the care team.

As situations may be unique, the Clinical Manager or delegate will determine whether an ECP 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.

ECPs Entering BCHS Sites

All ECPs must use the D-Wing entrance of Brantford General Hospital (BGH), and the Urgent Care Entrance at The Willett. Pediatric, NICU, Labour & Delivery, Dialysis & Diagnostic Imaging visitors may enter the Brantford General Hospital through the A-Wing Entrance.

After Your Visit

ECPs will leave BGH through Door 22 located in D-Wing Main floor. Imaging patients can leave through Door 44 on the first floor of A-Wing at BGH. At The Willett, ECPs exit through the Thrive/Life Labs area located on the first floor.

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