Visitation update for Ontario’s long-term care homes.
Important notice:
On November 23rd, 2020 the provincial government updated their visitation policy for long-term care homes.
Changes have been made to the types and number of visitors permitted in long-term care homes.
General visitors are not allowed in long-term care homes that are in outbreak or homes that are located in public health unit regions that are in the:
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orange (restrict) level
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red (control) level
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grey (lockdown) level
For more information about the government’s long-term care visitation policy https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-visiting-long-term-care-homes.
Helpful tip: Phone or email ahead as long-term care home staff will be coordinating visits to ensure appropriate physical/social distancing occurs. Homes will likely be scheduling visits with a number of family members and may limit the number of visits that happen at any given time.
Public hospitals and long-term care homes have received guidance from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health to restrict visitors.
Essential visitors for public hospitals include:
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the parent or guardian of an ill child or youth
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a visitor of a patient undergoing a complex surgery
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a person accompanying a patient giving birth
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a person visiting a very ill or dying patient
Patient Ombudsman encourages Ontarians to check the website of your local hospital or to call ahead for updates about visitation.
This is an extraordinary situation. These measures are important to keep sick and vulnerable patients from getting sicker.
It is also critical that healthcare workers remain well so they can continue to provide care. We recognize that this is distressing, but it is important to keep people safe and well.
Patient Ombudsman is tracking all complaints we receive related to COVID-19 and will be communicating concerns we hear to the appropriate officials.