Who is a Care Partner?
Care partners are chosen by the patient and play an important role in their care, comfort and well-being. They may be family members, close friends, or other trusted supports who know the patient’s health history, needs, and wishes.
General visitors are not care partners. They may be acquaintances, coworkers, or relatives who do not provide the same level of ongoing support.
What is an Essential Care Partner?
An Essential Care Partner is a care partner whose presence is considered important to the patient’s care, safety, communication, decision-making, discharge planning, or overall well-being. The distinction is based on the patient’s current needs and care circumstances, not simply the person’s relationship to the patient. Decisions should be individualized and based on the patient’s clinical needs, safety, communication requirements, and available supports.
In general, someone may be recognized as an Essential Care Partner when their involvement helps enable safe, effective, or compassionate care. Examples include situations where a patient is a child, is experiencing cognitive impairment or behavioural safety concerns, needs support during critical care conversations, requires hands-on discharge training, is receiving palliative or end-of-life care, or has no other identified source of emotional, practical, communication, cultural, or decision-making support.
What is the difference between a Support Person and Essential Care Partner?
A Support Person is required to support equitable access to care for a patient living with a disability, while an Essential Care Partner is identified more broadly to support the patient’s care experience, including participation in care, decision-making, and continuity across the care journey. Some patients may need both roles at different times.
How many visitors are permitted at one time?
When infection risk is low, inpatients may have up to two visitors at a time. Other visitors may wait in lounges or lobbies. Exceptions may be made based on patient care needs.
Are outdoor visits permitted?
Yes. Patients may have outdoor visits if they can go outside on their own or be safely taken outside by a care partner. If staff help is needed, the care team will decide if an outdoor visit is possible.
Are visitors permitted during outbreaks?
During outbreaks or when space is limited, general visitors may not be permitted.
Patients may be asked to choose up to two care partners. The care team will support their presence whenever it is safe to do so. Essential Care Partners must follow Infection Prevention and Control guidelines.
Individual units may implement unit-specific restrictions on care partner presence as necessary to ensure a safe environment for patients, care partners, and staff.
Who can I talk to if I have concerns about visiting hours?
Patients and their care partners are encouraged to work with their care team and area leadership to fully address visiting restriction concerns. If you are unable to reach a resolution regarding care partner presence, please contact Patient Relations for assistance.
Can a visitor or care partner be asked to leave the hospital?
Yes. To maintain a safe and respectful environment, visitors and care partners may be asked to leave if they engage in behaviour that is threatening, abusive, discriminatory, disruptive, or otherwise unsafe. Staff will make every effort to address concerns first, and visitors and care partners can contact Patient Relations if they have questions or concerns about a visiting restriction.
