Visitor Policy in Maternal, Newborn and Paediatric Care

Updated: July 7, 2022

Who Can Visit

Two (2) visitors/essential care partners (ECP) per family may be present at a given time, with a patient in Labour and Delivery (L&D), in L&D Triage, on the Post Partum unit (2W) and in our Maternal Newborn Outpatient Clinics.

The visitor(s)/ECP(s) may switch out at any time, however there is to be a maximum of two (2) visitors/ECPs with a patient, at any given time.

Children may visit and are permitted to be with the patient, in addition to the maximum of 2 adult visitors/ECPs. All children under the age of 14 years old must be supervised by an adult who is not the patient. Children are not permitted to stay overnight in the hospital.

Precautions for Entering the Hospital

North York General Hospital is actively screening and monitoring for COVID-19 related symptoms to protect the health and safety of patients and staff against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Please do not plan to accompany a patient to the hospital, or visit a patient in the hospital if you are sick.

All visitors(s)/ECP(s) are expected to self-screen upon entering the hospital and may be asked additional screening questions for COVID-19 related symptoms on any unit.  This is to ensure that any visitors within our care environments are not unwell. This will help limit the spread of COVID-19 to mothers, infants, families, visitors/ECPs and healthcare workers. As an additional precaution, universal masking continues to be mandatory inside all North York General properties.

Upon entry to the hospital, you will complete the self screening process, sanitize your hands and collect an approved three-layer mask from the self-serve dispenser (adult and child sized masks are available). This is always to be worn over your nose and mouth, while in the hospital.

All patients and designated visitors are permitted access to the hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the follow access points:

  • 6:00 AM-9:00 PM
    • South Lobby, ground level by the parking garage
    • West Lobby, Level 1 facing Leslie Street
  • 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM
    • South Lobby, ground level by the parking garage (controlled after-hours access).
    • Press buzzer on intercom beside public entrance door and the security team will unlock to provide access to the hospital.

Visitor parking is available on the ground level of the level parking garage; please do not park by Emergency.

Can I Ever Take My Mask Off?

An approved mask will be provided by the hospital on arrival, and must be worn at all times while in the hospital, except as outlined below or while eating/drinking or sleeping.

Guidelines and Exceptions

Non-Approved Items:

  • Food only permitted in accordance with guidelines below
  • NO Vitamins or Health Food / over the counter remedies
  • Please DO NOT keep expensive items like jewelry, large amounts of cash, etc. at the hospital
  • Flowers and plants

PLEASE NOTE:  The hospital does not take responsibility for any lost or stolen personal belongings.

Eating and Drinking

  • You can bring in non-perishable food with you. Food from home or personal food ordered in cannot be stored in common unit fridges and cannot be heated in microwaves. There will not be any food permitted in our common pantry area at this time. Any food or snacks brought in, must be kept at the bedside with you.
  • Food deliveries (by family member or food delivery service) must be received by the support person and/or patient at the appropriate hospital access point or outside. Please perform hand hygiene upon entry to the unit after picking up any food deliveries.
  • Reusable containers, if used, must be cleaned/managed by the patient or visitor(s)/ECP(s).
  • NYGH staff cannot deliver food to patients/visitors.
  • Please always practice good hand hygiene, including when entering/leaving the patient’s room and before eating food.

Sleeping

  • If the visitor is planning to sleep in the Post Partum Unit for the duration of the stay, they must sleep at the patient’s bedside, in the designated sleeper.  
  • Visitors are not permitted to sleep in an empty patient bed or in any of the lounge areas.
  • Visitors can remove their mask during sleep, once the curtain has been drawn in the room.
  • Visitors requiring medical devices (i.e., CPAP) to ensure safe sleep, will not be permitted to use the device in hospital, and therefore are not permitted to stay overnight
  • No children are permitted to sleep overnight in the hospital

**If you mask is wet or dirty – please ask the nurse for a replacement mask.**

Washroom Facilities

  • Visitors are permitted to use the washroom in the patient room only when accompanying a patient that has been placed in a private room.
  • Visitors staying in semi-private rooms must use the visitor washroom available on the unit.

Off unit/Out of hospital privileges

  • Visitors in L&D and 2W will be permitted to have off unit privileges and out of hospital privileges.
  • Visitors are encouraged to stay within the unit as much as possible.

Isolation

  • Visitors accompanying patients in isolation must stay in the patient room at all times, unless entering or exiting the unit/hospital
  • The patient and the visitor should also adhere to the required infection prevention and control practices as outlined by the nursing staff

Car Seats

  • Car seats may be brought into the hospital.

We recommend frequent hand washing and frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces (e.g. cell phones). If you require sanitization wipes to facilitate this while on the unit, please ask one of the nurses.

We encourage everyone to stay in their rooms as much as possible during their stay.

Your cooperation is appreciated and will contribute to keep our Maternal and Newborn Program areas safe for all patients, infants, staff and visitors.