UPDATED JUNE 24, 2022

As public health measures are being eased across the Province, we have received guidance on lifting some COVID-19 IPAC restrictions within the hospital setting. Our Visitor Guidelines have been updated to reflect the most recent guidance from the Province and Toronto Region Infection Prevention and Control Guidance, which eases access for visitors. The changes to West Park Healthcare Centre visitation guidelines and IPAC restrictions are as follows:

Effective June 27, 2022, COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection Prevention and Control Requirements

• Visitors and contractors/vendors are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. We do recommend all visitors, contractors, and vendors continue to be vaccinated.
  
  
• There is no change to the COVID-19 vaccination policy for staff. All staff and new hires must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

• There will be no change in the requirement for universal masking of staff, patients, visitors, contractors/vendors at West Park Healthcare Centre. Please continue to wear your mask.
  
  
• A hospital-approved mask will be required to enter into our buildings and must be worn throughout the hospital and during outdoor visits.
  
  
• Those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or with exposure to COVID-19 must not enter the hospital.
  
  
• COVID-19 symptom screening requirements at our entrances will switch from active screening to passive self-screening on June 27, 2022. This means self-screening at hospital entrances using information delivered through signage to remind people of symptoms and risk factors for COVID-19.

These measures have been essential to helping us keep our environments safe during the pandemic and will remain in effect at West Park Healthcare Centre for the foreseeable future.

• There is no longer a need for patients to identify “designated” visitors. There is also no limit to the number of visitors who may visit, subject to the guidance listed below.
  
  
• Social distancing (2m or 6 ft) must be maintained between patients and visitors during the visit.
  
  
• Hand Hygiene must be practiced upon entering the Centre, and during visit.
  
  
• No Eating is permitted during the visit except for visits within the cafeteria where social distancing can take place. Please sit in the designated seating areas and maintain 2 meter distance while eating. Your medical mask must be worn when not consuming food or drink.
  
  
• Newly admitted patients may receive visitors after admission to the Centre once their first COVID-19 PCR test has resulted as negative.
  
  
• Due to space limitations, only 1 visitor is permitted to visit at the patient’s bedside at a time.
  
  
• Patients may have 2 visitors at a time, using other designated visiting indoor spaces such as the rotunda, cafeteria, or outdoor spaces (see locations below).
  
  
• Patients who are at the end of life (high risk of dying in the next 2 weeks) may have 2 or more visitors at the bedside at any time.
  
  
• There is no longer a limit to the length of a visit, or the number of visits per day within regular visiting hours (11:00am to 9:00pm).
  
  
• Visits will no longer need to be scheduled in advance, unless booking a designated space for a group visit.
  
  
• All patients may arrange a group visit (more than 2 visitors - up to the identified capacity of the visitation room or space), based on the availability of a bookable group room or designated outdoor patio. Please contact 416-243-3600 Ext: 2108 or email visits@westpark.org. Group visitation rooms are available Monday to Friday 4pm-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-9pm; and an outdoor patio may be booked during regular visiting hours.
  
  
• Children may attend a visit in a designated visitor area (not at the bedside) under the supervision of an adult and a maximum of two children can visit at a time. A child <2years of age is not required to wear a mask, and does not count as one of the visitors; children 2-5 years are required to follow IPAC measures, including wearing a mask (refer to IPAC measures listed below), and do not count as one of the visitors.

Outdoor Spaces 

Our outside patio visitation spaces are open and include:

Leave of Absence

All LOAs must be approved by your medical team. It is strongly recommended that patients visit with friends/family members who are fully vaccinated and have not tested positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms.

• Patients who are well are welcome to leave the hospital grounds for up to 12 hours.

1. Overnight leaves may be permitted for rehab patients on an exceptional basis to support rehabilitation goals, in consultation with the clinical team and IPAC; upon return to the Centre, PCR testing and isolation may be required.
   
   
2. Upon return to the Centre you will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and asked about contacts. For example “Have you come into contact with anyone with COVID-19?” If you pass the screening you will not require isolation upon return.
   
   
3. Contact the unit Manager or Care Coordinator for more information.

Patients will be asked to continue taking the following precautions while away from the Centre:

• Wear a mask at all times, if tolerated; otherwise, wear a face shield.