Due to Measles, new visiting restrictions are in place at Children's Hospital and in our Women's Care program. Click here for more information.
Visitors and Care Partners at LHSC
Please note that visiting guidelines have changed as a result of COVID-19.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) continues to monitor and adapt the Care Partner Presence policy to align with provincial direction, LHSC Infection Prevention and Control recommendations, and regional hospitals.
LHSC staff, physicians, and volunteers remain vigilant in order to effectively protect our patients, their families, and one another.
Care Partners can help keep patients and staff safe by wearing a mask at all times in hospital. A hospital mask will be provided at all LHSC entrances. For this reason, we ask that you plan to consume food and beverages outside of the hospital.
Only Essential Care Partners are permitted for units on outbreak or patients with COVID precautions.
- Inpatient: Limit to two (2) Care Partners total at the bedside a time
- Outpatient: Limit to one (1) Care Partner per patient*
Check in with the care team for specific permissions and any additional precautions.
*Registration of Care Partners is not required at this time. Exceptions may be considered by leaders based on patient care needs.
LHSC is committed to working with patients and families to provide compassionate, high-quality care. We believe it is important for patients to experience the support of family and friends.
- Visiting is based on the condition, care needs, and expressed wishes of each patient in the unit.
- For this reason, visiting times may vary between patients and from one day to the next. We ask patients or visitors to check with unit staff about optimal visiting times.
- As well, visiting may be interrupted to provide appropriate patient care. Visiting will be restricted to protect the privacy rights of other patients or to maintain safety.
- Family members supporting a patient between the overnight hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. are asked to remain in the patient’s room and advise unit staff when coming to and leaving the unit.
Please speak with your care provider if this does not meet your needs.
Weapons Detection System
At London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), the safety and wellbeing of our patients, visitors, and team members is a priority. To support a secure environment in our Emergency Departments (EDs), LHSC has introduced a weapons detection system designed to identify potential threats while maintaining a respectful and welcoming experience for all. This new system is one more way we are working to protect everyone in our hospitals.
The system will go live in the University Hospital ED on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 and the Victoria Hospital and Children’s Hospital EDs on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
How it works:
All individuals entering LHSC’s EDs are required to pass through the weapons detection system each time they enter. This includes children who will be scanned in the presence of their parent, guardian, or accompanying adult. An LHSC security guard will always be present to support patients and visitors with the process.
The system uses advanced, non-invasive technology that allows patients and visitors to walk through without stopping or removing personal items. If the system finds something that may be a threat, a trained security guard may check the person’s belongings.
Considerations and exceptions
We understand that not everyone can go through the system the same way. To ensure equitable access to care and maintain safety, LHSC has established several accommodations:
- Individuals with medical considerations (e.g., pacemakers or mobility-related needs) may be screened with a handheld metal detector instead of walking through the system.
- Patients arriving via ambulance do not go through the main screening system but may be screened by a handheld metal detector if there is reasonable concern about a weapon or prohibited item.
- Urgent or emergent care needs will always take priority. If immediate treatment is required and screening would delay care, patients may bypass the system with a one-to-one security escort until screening can be completed.
- Sacred, spiritual, ceremonial or religious items (such as head coverings, a kara or kirpan, traditional medicines or sacred items) will be treated with respect. Individuals may request private screening, indicate if an item should not be touched, or request a security screener of a specific gender. These accommodations are made in collaboration with the individual.
- Refusals to walk through the system will be accommodated through handheld screening or other protective measures. Patients who refuse all screening methods may still receive care with continuous security accompaniment.
If you require accommodation, please speak to the LHSC security guard at the entrance to the ED before entering.
Respectful and professional approach: Searches are carried out by trained security staff who are committed to acting with courtesy, professionalism, and respect.
Clear signage and communication: Signage is in place at all Emergency Department entrances to inform the public of the weapons detection system. This signage meets all provincial and federal requirements and helps ensure that everyone entering is aware of the screening process.
Contact:
If you have any questions about the screening process, please contact LHSC’s Security team by calling 519-685-8500 ext. 52281.
Fragrance-free Policy
Please note that London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is fragrance-free. To prevent allergic reactions and respiratory distress for other patients, visitors and staff, please do not use or bring any scented products to your appointment, and ask your friends or family members to do the same.
Smoke-Free at LHSC
In compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, LHSC is a completely smoke-free facility as of June 30, 2016. This applies to all buildings, grounds, parking lots, and includes smoking in cars.
For more information about smoking during your stay, visit the Smoke-Free at LHSC web page.
Animal Visitation Policy
Family pet visits are not permitted for the health and safety of other patients, visitors, and staff. This policy does not apply to service animals.
Requests for pet visits may be considered on compassionate grounds. In this instance, a pet may be brought into the hospital with the approval of the manager of the patient care unit. There are a number of steps to approve such a visit, including proof of vaccination and completing a pet waiver and release form.
If you wish to bring the pet of a patient to the hospital for a compassionate visit, please speak with a member of the health-care team to start the conversation.
LHSC recognizes the benefit of therapy dog visits for certain patients and has partnered with St. John’s Ambulance to provide a therapy dog program in several units at the hospital. Speak with a member of the health-care team to see if there is a therapy dog visit coming up.
Flowers
Please note that due to COVID-19, LHSC is unable to accept deliveries of flowers for patients in hospital. Please consider sending an e-card.
If a family member or visitor is permitted to visit per the Visitor and Care Partners Policy, it is possible they may be able to bring in flowers. The individual must confirm with the patient’s unit before bringing flowers as some inpatient units in University Hospital and Victoria Hospital may not permit flowers due to patient needs.
Please Note:
Poinsettias are NOT permitted within London Health Sciences Centre (PDF) as they can harm patients who have a latex allergy.
Certain units do not allow flowers. Please check with the nurses station before sending flowers.
Latex Balloons
Latex balloons are forbidden due to the increasing number of latex allergies in the hospital.
