Visiting Hours and Information

Updated November 12, 2024

We know how important visitors are to patients who have been admitted to the hospital, and we have a policy in place to accommodate visitors in a safe and controlled manner.

Click here to read the convenient Visitor Information Pamphlet.

Currents Outbreaks at BCHS:
There are currently no outbreaks at BCHS.

Please Note: Units in outbreak may be closed to visitors. When visiting is allowed, visitors must comply with isolation precautions and hand hygiene.

Masking is Encouraged at the Brant Community Healthcare System

BCHS follows a masking-encouraged policy. This means it is not mandatory that you wear a mask when visiting BUT it is strongly encouraged during the respiratory season.

Please note that in the following circumstance, masking is mandatory:

You are a patient with acute respiratory infection symptoms (i.e. Cough, congestion, fever)
You are visiting on a unit that is in outbreak
You are visiting a patient in specific isolation precautions

Masks will continue to be available on all units at BCHS.

For visitors, if you are feeling unwell, please stay home. This will help us continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients and community.

More Information:

This decision has been informed by the recent updates from Public Health Ontario, which include masking requirements for hospitals and advising that Ontario is considered to be in a “non-high risk period.” This shift is also supported by regional and hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control experts.

Like all COVID-19 policies and practices, the need for universal masking will be subject to ongoing evaluation in relation to the spread of COVID-19 and will be revisited if needed. All decisions will continue to be based on provincial guidance/direction and informed by subject matter experts. Details/rationale will be communicated widely.

Only two visitors allowed at a patient’s bedside at any given time.

Plan your visit ahead of time. We ask that visitors work with the patient and their loved ones in advance so that only two people are at the patient’s bedside at a time. Children under the age of 12 are welcome to visit if accompanied by an adult and supervised during the visit. If you are waiting for another visit to finish, please wait in the Cafeteria located near the D-Wing entrance at BGH.

Visiting hours. BCHS has an open presence policy, meaning that visiting is flexible and there are no prescribed visiting hours.

Please note: The hours between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. are considered quiet time. Visitors are asked to speak softly, avoid the use of electronic equipment, such as televisions and radios, and avoid lighting that may disturb other patients.

Safety Guidelines to Follow While Inside the Hospital:

All visitors must follow the visitor rules:

Pass self-screening for acute respiratory infection/COVID-19 before coming inside the hospital. If you are not feeling well please do not visit the hospital.
BCHS follows a mask-friendly policy. This means that you will no longer be required to wear a mask within hospital sites with the exception of a unit in outbreak. Masks are available at main entrances for anyone who wishes to wear one. We ask that everyone support and respect every individual in their personal choice regarding masking. Visitors are strongly encouraged to mask during peak respiratory season.
Clean your hands when you enter the building, when entering and exiting the patient’s room, during your stay and when you leave.
Put on the appropriate personal protective equipment as shown on the sign posted outside the patient’s room.
- There is a greater risk when visiting a patient in additional precautions (isolation) or patients having ongoing aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs).
- When a patient is having an ongoing AGMP, Infection Control highly recommends that the visitors wear the same PPE as the healthcare providers.
- When the patient is confirmed or at risk to be COVID-19 positive, visitors have the choice of wearing a medical mask or an N95 in addition to the other required PPE.
Do not eat or drink while inside an isolation room.
Use public washroom(s) and not patient washrooms.
Visitors may be asked to leave the room at any time to allow BCHS staff into the room to carry out their duties. Visiting hours may be adjusted in time or number based on the clinical care needs of a patient or roommate.

*Visitors who refuse follow safety guidelines may lose their visiting privileges.*

We continue to encourage everyone in our community, including visitors, to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The COVID-19 vaccine continues to offer strong protection against serious hospitalizations.

Visitors are not permitted:

For patients located on a unit in an acute respiratory infection or gastrointestinal outbreak. Exceptions may be made for compassionate reasons, as approved by the department manager.
If they are experiencing any acute respiratory infection/COVID-19 symptoms.

Please note: Special consideration may be given for visitors visiting a palliative patient. These circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Unit Specific Visitor Policies:

Emergency & Urgent Care

One visitor for all adult Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre patients. Two visitors for a pediatric and NICU patients.
The need for a visitor will be constantly re-assessed by the care team and support persons may be asked to leave at any time based upon conditions within the department.

Inpatient Care

Patients admitted to the hospital (inpatients) are permitted two visitors at their bedside at any given time, three if there is a child present. Children under the age of 12 who are supervised may visit.
COVID positive patients will be permitted one visitor at the bedside at a time, with a maximum of two designated.

Mental Health Inpatient Unit

Visiting hours on the Mental Health Inpatient Unit are weekdays from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visits are booked for 2 hours per visitor.
Two visitors per patient at a time. Patients may have multiple visitors per day if availability allows.
Patients can call 519-751-5544 extension 2424 to preschedule appointment. Same day bookings will be accommodated availability permitting.

Pediatric Care

Two visitors/caregivers for all pediatric patients (under the age of 18) in the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centre and Inpatient Units. Visitors who are under the age of 12 must be siblings and supervised.
One visitor/caregiver for pediatric outpatients (i.e. PARS & Bili Clinic).

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Two visitors/caregivers for NICU patients.

Labour & Delivery and Post Partum

Two visitors/caregivers for all Labour & Delivery and Post-Partum patients. Unlimited length of visit. Visitors who are under the age of 12 must be siblings and supervised.
Exceptional circumstances requiring more than two visitors/caregivers at a time include: midwife, surrogate parent, adoptive parent.

Outpatient Care

One visitor may accompany each outpatient to their appointment.

Patients at End-of-Life

Patients who are at end-of-life may have more than two visitors at the bedside at a time. Please coordinate with the care team.
For special circumstances, accommodations will be made as required in consultation with the care team.

The care team will do everything possible to accommodate visitors. There may be times we are unable to do so and the reasons will be communicated to the patient and/or visitors.

Patients and visitors may ask for an appeal. Please direct appeals to the Patient Experience Office (ext. 2395) or the Manager-On-Call by calling our Switchboard at 519-751-5544 ext. 0.

*BCHS reviews its hospital visitor policy and guidelines regularly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone at our hospital sites.

Visitors Entering BCHS Sites

Brantford General Hospital:

5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Visitors may enter the hospital through the A-Wing, D-Wing or E-Wing Entrance.
9 p.m. - 5:30 a.m. After-hours visitors must enter through the Emergency Department Entrance and check-in with Security. Security will advise you that you must check in at the unit communication station when you arrive to the floor.

The Willett:

Monday – Friday

9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Visitors may enter through the Urgent Care entrance.
9 p.m. - 9 a.m. Visitors may utilize the doorbell to call the unit to obtain access to the building.

Saturday & Sunday

9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Visitors may enter through the Urgent Care entrance.
6 p.m. - 9 a.m. Visitors may utilize the doorbell to call the unit to obtain access to the building.

All visitors must perform hand hygiene, complete and pass screening and follow the visitor rules.

Map of Brantford General Hospital	Map of the Willett Urgent Care Centre

After Your Visit

If you have questions about the BCHS Visitor Policy, please contact a member of your loved one’s care team by calling Switchboard at 519-751-5544 ext. 0.

Safe-Walk Program

To ensure safe and secure access to BCHS at any time of the day or night, Security Services offers the Safe-Walk Program. This program is available to all patients, visitors and staff members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please call Security Services at 519-732-0581 or ext. 4949 to use this service. Security Services personnel will meet you at a prearranged location to escort you between the hospital and your vehicle or the bus stops located in the immediate vicinity of the Hospital.