Note: For current information about mask and vaccination requirements, please visit our
COVID-19 page.
We encourage you to visit family and friends while they are healing. We know that having loved ones nearby makes patients more comfortable and speeds up their recovery.
Visiting Hours
Our hospitals offer flexible visiting hours.
In alignment with UHN's Patient Declaration of Values, we recognize that the involvement of caregivers, such as family and friends, is a key component of person-centred care.
Please be aware that situations can arise quickly that make it necessary for our patient units to change the visiting guidelines or restrict visiting. If this is the case, we will make you aware of it as soon as possible.
Patient visiting is also subject to possible exceptions due to concerns around communicable diseases.
Children aged 12 years and under who are visiting a patient must be able to maintain routine precautions (e.g. hand washing, masking, etc.) and must be supervised by an adult, separate from the patient, when visiting the hospital. Children should not enter any area or room unaccompanied. It is the responsibility of the supervising adult (not the patient) to monitor children in order to ensure their safety.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are between 10 pm and 7 am. Having set quiet hours is very important for patients' rest and healing. We encourage all visitors to leave the hospital during this time to rest. There are situations where staying overnight is needed and can be discussed with the healthcare team.
For more information, see The Staying Overnight with a Patient: Information for Essential Care Partners guidelines.
Restful environments for all patients during quiet hours rely on collaborative efforts between patients, designated family, staff, physicians, volunteers, and students. These could include:
- speaking in lower or hushed tones
- restricting the use of the overhead call system
- turning down or turning off overhead lights
- turning cell phones to silent mode
- using headphones when using electronic devices
Visitor Information for Units
Our visiting guidelines help preserve our patients' right to privacy and confidentiality and protect everyone from infections and illnesses.
Some units have specific guidelines around visiting to support the needs of their patients.
| Unit | Visiting Guidelines |
|---|
| Critical Care Units | Families requesting visits for children 12 years and under must discuss with the unit manager before visiting. |
| Emergency Department | Each patient may have one visitor at a time at the bedside. |
| Inpatient Units | Each patient may have up to 2 visitors, including their ECP, at the bedside at one time except during quiet hours (10 pm to 7 am) |
| Inpatient Units at Princess Margaret | Families requesting visits for children 9 years of age and younger must first meet with the unit manager to review infection prevention and control risks for the patient, as well as for children and families. |
| Mental Health Patient Care Areas | Decisions about family and ECP presence will take the form of ongoing discussions between the care team and the patient based on the clinical plan of care. |
To help us maintain privacy and a healing environment for our patients and their families, please make sure that:
- Your visits do not interfere with tests, appointments with the health care team, scheduled therapy sessions and recommended rest periods. Occasionally, the health care team may recommend that a patient limit visits by family or friends if they feel it is important for a patient's recovery.
- Children under 12 are always with an adult.
- You should
screen yourself and your children for any signs of illness before coming to our hospitals.
- You should wash your hands upon entering our hospitals at the hand-washing stations at the entrances of all our hospitals, at
important times during your visits and when leaving our hospitals.
- You think about the needs of other patients and families during your visits.
How You Can Help Us Prevent Infection
The most important ways you can help us prevent infections and illnesses from spreading in our hospitals are:
- Self-screening for signs of illness before coming to our hospitals
- Washing your hands before, during and after your visits
Self-Screening for Signs of Illness or Communicable Diseases
We ask everyone to self-screen. Before coming to the hospital, ask yourself if you or your children have any of the following:
- A new or worsening cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath (worse than normal)
- Severe headaches (worse than normal)
- Unexplained muscle aches
- Unexplained extreme fatigue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
If you have any of these symptoms or are feeling at all unwell, we ask that you not visit our hospitals until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours (2 days).
If you are sick, you may make our patients or our health care providers sick.
Washing Your Hands
Washing your hands is the simplest way to prevent infections and illnesses from spreading in the hospital and to protect yourself from infections that can sometimes be caught in hospitals.
Remember to wash your hands:
- When you enter the hospital
- When you enter a patient unit
- When you enter a patient's room
- Before and after contact with your loved ones
- Before and after eating
- When you leave the hospital
We recommend washing with soap and water or, even better, with hand-sanitizing gels conveniently placed in many locations throughout our hospitals. Hand sanitizer is provided at the main entrances of our hospitals and throughout our hospitals for your convenience.
Learn more about
infection control at UHN.
Smoke-Free & Scent-Free
UHN is a smoke-free and scent-free organization. We ask that all visitors refrain from using personal scented products while at our hospitals. Smoking is not permitted within 9 metres of all entrances.
Learn more about our
Smoke-Free and Scent-Free policies.
Balloons, Plants & Flowers
Latex balloons are not allowed in the hospital, as some people may suffer severe allergic reactions. Visitors may bring Mylar balloons to the hospital.
Flowers and plants are not permitted in patient rooms in any intensive care unit, on transplant units, or on malignant hematology units at Princess Margaret for patient safety reasons. Visitors are asked to check with the unit manager before bringing plants or flowers to the hospital.
Disruptive Behaviour
Visitors who demonstrate disruptive behaviour will be limited in their ability to visit.
Children who are disruptive or disturb other patients may be asked to leave.
Special Requests
We understand that there can be exceptional circumstances that can apply to visiting a loved one. In this situation, please discuss your requests with the manager of the patient unit that is caring for your family member or friend.
Places to Stay
Accessibility
Need Accessibility assistance when you're visiting friends and family at our hospitals?
Learn more about our Accessibility Services.
