September 9, 2026
With feedback collected from patients, families, and team members, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has updated its guideline on care partners and visiting hours to create a more consistent experience across its hospital sites.
A care partner is a family member, friend, or other support person chosen by the patient to be involved in their care, provide comfort and support, and help during transitions in care.
Visiting hours are generally 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., although some units may have different hours or requirements based on patient needs, safety, space, infection prevention measures, or other clinical considerations.
“When a patient is in hospital, the people who know them best can make a real difference,” says Tania Testa, Vice President of People, Communications and External Affairs. “This updated guideline helps make space for that support while giving patients, care partners, visitors, and care teams a clearer, more consistent understanding of what to expect.”
The updated guideline was developed by a working group that included LHSC staff members and patient and family partners – people with lived experience as patients or caregivers of patients at LHSC. Involving patient and family partners helped ensure the guideline is informed by the people it is meant to support and reflects the realities patients and care partners experience when coming to the hospital.
“Being part of this work was an opportunity to bring forward the patient and family perspective in a practical way,” says Elaine Harrison, a Patient and Family Partner who participated in the working group. “Clear information matters when people are coming to the hospital, especially during stressful moments. This guideline helps patients and care partners better understand their role and feel more included in the care experience.”
Care partner and visitor definitions
Care partners are people identified by the patient who provide important support during their hospital stay or appointment. They may help with comfort, communication, decision-making, care planning, or transitions home. A care partner is different from a general visitor, who may be visiting socially but does not provide the same level of support in the patient’s care experience.
With the patient’s or substitute decision maker’s consent, care partners are encouraged to be actively involved in the patient’s hospital experience. LHSC recognizes that care partner presence can support comfort, safety, and well-being.
Standard visiting hours
Standard visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some units may have different visiting hours to support patient care, treatment plans, safety, space, or infection prevention requirements. If visiting hours are different in a specific clinical area, that unit will communicate the information clearly to patients and care partners. A list of unit-specific exceptions can be found on our website.
Addressing outbreaks
In some situations, such as outbreaks or periods of higher infectious illness risk, visiting procedures may be adjusted. General visitors may be restricted, and patients may be asked to identify designated care partners. Care partners and visitors may also be required to follow additional Infection Prevention and Control measures.
Everyone coming to LHSC is expected to help maintain a safe and respectful environment. Care partners and visitors are asked to follow hospital and unit instructions, stay home if they are feeling unwell, perform hand hygiene, and follow any infection prevention requirements in place.
The updated guideline is intended to help patients feel supported, care partners feel included, and everyone know what to expect when coming to LHSC.