Visitor Guidelines

Please note that visiting guidelines have changed as a result of COVID-19. 

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 

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: 

  • 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. 

Patient E-Card

If you have a family member or friend in one of our hospitals, you are invited to send a personalized message with our free E-card service.