Visiting hours are generally from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, although some units may have different hours or requirements based on patient needs, safety, space, infection prevention measures, or other clinical considerations.
Please note: Care partners and/or visitors may be asked to leave a patient’s room so staff can provide care safely. This is done to protect patient safety, not to exclude care partners. Staff will explain the reason when possible and welcome care partners back as soon as it is safe to do so.
The following unit-specific exceptions to standard visiting hours are currently in place:
Victoria Hospital
Adult Emergency Department
- Essential Care Partners are always permitted. The care team may make adjustments as needed to support safe emergency care.
Adult Mental Health (Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU); Specialized Care Unit (SCU))
- To support programming for patients, visiting hours are from 4 pm – 8 pm on weekdays and 12 pm – 8 pm on weekends.
- Care partners will be pre-approved by the interdisciplinary care team.
Critical Care and Trauma Centre (CCTC)
- Care partners may always be present. Flexible access to a designated care partner is essential to support patient safety, dignity, and quality of care in the CCTC.
- Visitors are welcome at any time. The care team will work with you to balance safe and timely care with meaningful opportunities for visitation.
Inpatient Medicine Units
- Patients receiving end-of-life care may have extended or overnight visitors as needed.
- Additional support may also be approved for care partners helping with patient care, such as fall prevention or support for patients with physical or cognitive needs.
Inpatient Oncology
- Visiting hours are extended beyond the regular hours for patients in palliative or critical care, allowing family members to be at the bedside to support comfort, emotional well-being, and care needs.
- Care partners are encouraged to remain at the bedside for patients who are confused, cognitively impaired, or experiencing language barriers.
- To support safe care and rest for patients and families, care partners are asked not to sleep in patient spaces.
Vascular/Cardiology
- Visiting hours will be limited, at times, in the Level 2 unit to provide our staff with the time and space they need to properly assess and care for patients around shift change (between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, and between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm).
- There is a waiting area located near the elevators on C5 should care partners be asked to step out during this time.
Orthopaedic/Trauma and Spine
- Patients in Orthopaedic/Trauma and Spine may need extra support after sudden injuries. Identified family members and care partners may be present 24/7.
- Designated quiet hours are between 8:00 pm and 8:00 am.
Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital Emergency Department
- At least one care partner should always remain with patients.
- Due to space limitations in our waiting room, only one care partner is permitted in the waiting room area. Once a patient is moved to a bed, additional care partners may join to allow full participation in care conversations.
Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) and High Dependency Transition Unit (HDTU)
- Although the Paediatric Critical Care Unit and High Dependency Transition Unit do not have specific visiting hours, family and care partners are encouraged to limit visitors after 8:00 pm to ensure patients are getting enough sleep.
Paediatric Inpatients
- Care partners are strongly encouraged to be present in the unit whenever possible, 24 hours a day. Visitors are permitted between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Obstetrical Care Unit (Birthing Centre, Obstetrical OR/PACU, Obstetrical Triage, Antenatal Inpatient Unit)
- To provide ongoing support for pregnant patients, foster active partner involvement, and support a family-centred approach to care during childbirth and high-risk pregnancies, care partners may always be present.
- Only one care partner is permitted in the Obstetrical OR/PACU.
Postpartum Care Unit
In recognition that labour and delivery patients are admitted 24/7, we encourage families to visit between 8 am and 8 pm. Exceptions may be made for births and admissions that occur overnight if visitors are mindful of other patients and visit quietly.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Visitors are welcome anytime. Only two visitors may be present at any one time.
University Hospital
Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU)
- Care partners may always be present. Flexible access to a designated care partner is essential to support patient safety, dignity, and quality of care in the MSICU.
- Visitors are welcome at any time. The care team will work with you to balance safe and timely care with meaningful opportunities for visitation.
Adult Emergency Department
- Essential Care Partners are always permitted. The care team may make adjustments as needed to support safe emergency care.
Outpatient Clinics
During clinic hours, patients may have one family member or care partner present in the room with them.
The need for a care partner to accompany a patient to an outpatient visit varies based on several factors, such as how complex the care is, whether there is a new diagnosis or a change in the patient’s condition, cultural preferences, and the patient’s own wishes.
In the Paediatric Medical Day Unit (PMDU), two caregivers are typically permitted, consistent with the needs of paediatric patients. Siblings may also be accommodated when necessary, depending on clinical context and family circumstances.
