North Shore Health Network limiting visitor access

The North Shore Health Network will be limiting visitor access beginning on April 3 until further notice.

The decision comes on the heels of the provincial announcement on Thursday afternoon that the province would be going into lockdown beginning Saturday.

Following is how access will change for each department.

Emergency Department (all sites):

• Only one essential caregiver will be permitted
  • Only one parent will be allowed to accompany a child under the age of 18
  • For end-of-life situations, a maximum of two visitors may be permitted
  • All visits will be coordinated in collaboration with Emergency Department workers.

Acute Care Unit (Blind River)

• No general visitors are permitted.
• One essential caregiver to be identified with one alternate
  • Visits must be booked with the unit beforehand and are limited to one hour
  • Essential visitor requires proof of negative COVID-19 swab within previous seven days to visit
  • Alternate may only visit when the primary essential visitor is not available for multiple days.

Long-term Care Unit (Blind River)

• No general visitors will be allowed except for palliative or emergency situations
  • In these circumstances, exceptions may be made for compassionate reasons to allow a maximum of two designated general visitors
• Only one designated caregiver may visit at a time
• Essential Support Workers are permitted to enter the home following screening and completion of Rapid Antigen Testing

Out-Patient Services

• Individuals who require assistance and are attending the hospital for diagnostic appointments are requested to attend alone; however, if attendants are required outpatients are permitted to have 1 person accompany them.