Yes, we continue to ask everyone to wear a mask at HGH even if the province has lifted most restrictions related to COVID-19.

• Masks are available at hospital entrances.

Thank you for helping us making HGH a safer place for patients, staff and visitors.

The following preventive measures will apply until further notice and may change without notice to protect patients, volunteers, staff and physicians.

• Please wear a mask and practice hand hygiene when entering the hospital. Mask and Purell dispensers are located at hospital entrances.
• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when visiting a patient.

HGH is not a testing centre.

• If you have symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19, use the self-assessment tool to get a recommendation on what to do next. The tool is on the Ontario COVID-19 website.
• If you have COVID-19 or other respiratory illness symptoms, you can go to a Respiratory Assessment Centre instead of coming to the Emergency Department. For more information, please visit the page Emergency and Respiratory Illnesses.
• If you have symptoms that you are unable to manage and your condition is worsening, come to the HGH Emergency Department. For example, breathing difficulties or chest pain require prompt medical attention.

For more information on public health testing and isolation guidelines, visit:

• Eastern Ontario Health Unit
• COVID-19 Ontario

No, HGH is not a COVID-19 vaccination centre.

• To find out when and where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine or the flu shot, please visit the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.

Yes, another person may accompy you for your appointment at HGH.

• You both have to wear a mask.
• If you have a minor mobility problem, please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You may also ask for a porter if you need help.
• We recommend that only one parent accompany a child under 18 years of age when coming to HGH for an appointment.

Essential care partners are allowed only if the safety of patients, staff and physicians can be maintained. Directives may change without notification.

Can I visit a patient at HGH?

• Yes. Visitors must wear a hospital-approved surgical mask when entering the hospital, practice hand hygiene, and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when visiting a patient. Mask and Purell dispensers are located at hospital entrances.
• Visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
• A maximum of 2 visitors at the bedside are allowed on the MedSurg and Complex Continuing Care (CCC) units. This does not apply to ICU, ED and Family Birthing Centre (FBC) units.

These guidelines may be modified without notification to ensure patient, staff and physicians’ safety.

Intensive Care Unit

• Visitation is limited to one visitor per patient per day, except in exceptional circumstances.

Can I call a patient at HGH?

Yes, we strongly encourage families to in touch with their loved ones during their hospital stay. All patient rooms are equipped with a telephone.

• To call a patient, dial 613-632-1111, then 0, and ask for the room number.
• You may also communicate with patients through their cellphones and keep in touch with applications such as FaceTime or Zoom. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hospital.
• If your loved one in the hospital has their own device (cell phone or tablet), but is having a hard time in contacting family through technology, you may call the nurses’ station and ask that we help this patient.

Can I deliver personal belongings to a family member hospitalized at HGH?

Yes, you can deliver personal belongings in a bag labelled with the patient’s name. Leave the bag at the Main Entrance during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday between 6:45 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Saturdays and public holidays between 6:45 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The bag will be delivered to the patient’s room within 2 to 3 hours. Porters have a fixed scheduled for these runs.

Please keep drop-offs of personal belongings to a minimum.

HGH is not responsible for personal belongings dropped off for patients.

Can I bring or have food delivered to the hospital for a patient?

Yes, it is possible. We recommend the use of disposable containers that a patient can warm up in a microwave oven. The cold food must be well packaged and placed in an insulated bag labelled with the patient’s name. It must be left at the Main Entrance during the following hours only:

• Monday to Friday between 6:45 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Saturdays between 6:45 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Deliveries to patients’ rooms are made according to porters’ fixed schedule and may take a few hours.

Restaurant food orders

Ordering food from a restaurant is strongly discouraged, however, if you must order, food must be prepaid.

• The food must be labelled with the patient’s name and delivered at the Main Entrance during the following hours.
  • Monday to Friday between 6:45 a.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Saturdays between 6:45 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Deliveries to patients’ rooms are made according to porters’ fixed schedule and may take a few hours.

The cafeteria has reopened to the public and vending machines are available.

• Check out the business hours of the cafeteria.
• You may bring your own water bottle, snacks or meals.

Public health officials and governments publish regular updates on the number of cases as well as guidelines and preventive measures to follow. To stay informed, please visit the following websites:

• Eastern Ontario Health Unit
• Public Health Ontario
• Ontario Ministry of Health
• Public Health Canada
• World Health Organization