Your Stay at Children’s Hospital

While You’re Here

We’re committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment for every patient and visitor. Whether your child is staying with us or just visiting for the day, the resources below can help you make the most of your time at the hospital.

Learn how to read room numbers and navigate the hospital using our signage and MazeMap wayfinding system.
Help keep everyone safe by reviewing our infection prevention guidelines, including tips for proper hand hygiene and preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Review our visitor guidelines for information about visiting hours, support persons, and unit-specific policies.
Read about how we protect your personal health information on our privacy information page.
Access the patient entertainment site for free internet access and Rogers streaming services and learn more about using your personal devices at LHSC.
Need a place to stay? Find local accommodations for patients, families, and visitors.
Explore food and drink options available throughout the hospital, including cafeterias, vending machines, and nearby restaurants.

If you need additional help during your stay, please speak with your care team or visit any information desk. You can also call 519-685-5800 and press 0 to speak with the hospital operator.

Hospital Rooms

We will do our best to provide the type of hospital room you request. Room assignments are based on factors such as availability and infection-control requirements. Visit the Accommodation Changes page to learn more about hospital room options and how we make decisions to move patients to a new unit or a different hospital.

What to Bring and What Not to Bring

Bring the following to your child’s appointment

Your child’s Ontario health card
Your appointment card or letter
Any medication your child is taking
Family doctor's name and telephone number
Any medical information, such as referral letters, X-rays or CT scans, and vaccination records
You might also need
Your pre-admission form
Other health-care insurance information or drug card
Medical information, such as an X-ray or CT scan

Things to bring from home

Your child's own clothes, including slippers and shoes, and clothes for going home
A few favourite toys, books, and family pictures to remind your child of home
Toiletries, like toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, comb, shampoo, and soap
Any important medical aids such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, braces, or crutches
Disposable diapers, diaper bag, and a stroller (if you have an infant)
Any clothing and personal items you will need for yourself if you are staying with your child
Lip balm or Vaseline for dry lips
Small amount of money for incidentals such as newspapers or snacks

What not to bring

Latex balloons
Baby walkers
Small toys that can be swallowed
Electrical equipment
Perfume and other fragrances

Toys and Personal Belongings

Bringing toys, books, and comfort items from home can help your child feel more at ease during their hospital stay. To keep all our patients safe, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

Please ensure toys and items are clean before bringing them to the hospital. Wipeable or washable toys are preferred.
Please limit the number of toys and personal belongings brought into the hospital. Too many items can create clutter and make it harder for staff to provide safe care.
Families are responsible for regularly cleaning and maintaining their child’s personal items.
To control the spread of infection, toys and items should not be shared with other patients.
Our staff may clean or limit certain items if there are infection control concerns. These steps help us reduce the risk of infection and keep the environment safe for your child and others in our care.

Staying with your child

We believe family plays an important role in the child’s life and most often is the child’s primary source of strength and support. Many of our patient rooms provide overnight accommodations for parents and caregivers who wish to stay with their child.

If you need more information about any of the options below, please speak with your care team.

*For those that live outside of London, the Ronald McDonald House may be an option; speak with your care team for more information.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Kangaroo and sleeper chairs are available for use in the NICU. Due to limited space and large equipment, there is not always space to stay directly at your baby’s bedside. Please see the NICU Family Guide for more information.

Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU)

In the PCCU, there are two sleep spaces available at your child’s bedside for family members with clean sheets, pillows, and blankets provided. In addition, there is a quiet room (sleeps one) and a sleep room (sleeps two), both located nearby. These rooms share a bathroom with a shower.

Paediatric Emergency Department

There are no sleeping accommodations in the Emergency Department. One caregiver is expected to stay with the child at all times. Staff will do their best to provide a reclining or fold-out chair, along with pillows and blankets, to help you rest as comfortably as possible.

Paediatric Inpatients B6 100/200

B6 inpatients is a locked unit. Once admitted, you will be provided with a confidential code. There is one overnight sleep space for a family member. Clean sheets, pillows, and blankets are available.

Please Note:

Each child must sleep in their own hospital bed or crib to allow the nurses to reach them easily.
Vacant hospital beds in shared rooms or in the emergency department may not be used by parents because they need to stay clean for another child requiring hospital services.
We understand there are times that you may have to leave the bedside. Please inform your care team so they know your child will be alone. Please ensure the bedrails or crib sides are up and only safe items are left within your child’s reach.
During your stay, a member of our nursing team will check on your child regularly, including during the night. These visits help us ensure your child's safety, comfort, and care needs are met in a timely manner.
If you require personal care items such as a toothbrush, deodorant, or shampoo, please visit the Paediatric Family Resource Centre, Ronald McDonald Room or Gift Shops.

Where to eat

For a full list of food options at and around LHSC, please visit our Food Services page.

Check with your child’s care team before letting your child eat or drink. There are medical reasons that your child may not be allowed to eat or drink, including special tests and procedures.
Your child may be on a special diet depending on their medical condition. Do not introduce new foods unless you have checked with the care team.
Please inform your nurse when you arrive if your child needs a special diet or has any food allergies. LHSC Food Services offers accommodations for many diets, including Kosher, gluten free, dairy free, Halal, or pork free.

Family Fridge and Pantry

The Paediatric inpatient unit located at B6-100/B6-200 has two pantries in B6-149 and B6-231. These rooms provide drinks and light snacks for inpatients.
There is a separate family refrigerator with a freezer for any personal food storage. Please note: Children’s Hospital is not responsible for food removed from the fridge.
The Paediatric Medical Day Unit (PMDU) provides light snacks for children who are receiving day treatment.
In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), speak with a health-care provider regarding food storage locations.
The Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) has a small fridge in the waiting room for temporary storage of food.

*Please label and date your personal food items.