Nova Scotia Health introduces temporary changes to visitor and support person restrictions

Given the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our communities, Nova Scotia Health is making changes to visitor restrictions across the province to further reduce the risk of the virus being introduced or spread within its facilities.

Effective 8 a.m. on January 5, 2022:

Inpatients:

Most hospital inpatients can have​ only one consistent fully vaccinated designated support person/family caregiver. This includes patients in emergency departments and those in labour and birth. However, patients and clients with COVID-19 or on a hospital unit where there is an outbreak will​ not​ be permitted to have visitors unless needed for the patient’s care due to physical, intellectual, cognitive and emotional conditions.

Children under 19 admitted to hospital, patients in intensive care units and critically ill patients in emergency departments are permitted to have two designated support people. Only one is permitted to visit at a time. Exceptions may also be made for palliative patients, patients receiving Medical Assistance in Dying and others nearing the end of life in consultation with their care team.

Outpatients:

Patients and clients coming to the hospital for clinics, appointments, tests or procedures, including prenatal visits/ultrasounds are asked to come alone unless they need support to receive care due to physical, intellectual, cognitive and emotional conditions and/or require a substitute decision-maker. Exceptions will also be made for children and youth under 19. These patients are asked to​ bring a​ fully vaccinated support person.​

These changes are being implemented to reduce the number of different individuals entering Nova Scotia Health facilities and to support our care teams in effectively implementing public health measures including physical distancing. Having COVID-19 positive visitors unknowingly enter Nova Scotia Health facilities may lead to exposures that require health care staff to be absent from the workplace, potentially leading to critical service disruptions. These exposures would also require the use of added safety measures for some inpatients.

Please note these restrictions may vary by site due to COVID-19 activity within a facility and/ staffing requirements.

Whenever possible, our teams will use technology to enable virtual involvement of support persons.

Nova Scotia Health sincerely apologizes to patients and their families for temporarily tightening visitor restrictions at this time. We understand restrictions are difficult for patients and families and appreciate the important and valuable role family caregivers​ play in supporting patient care and mental wellbeing.​ ​

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As our teams work to implement these changes to keep our patients and staff safe, we thank all of you for your continued support, patience and understanding.​ We will monitor the situation closely and will make changes when appropriate.