St. Joe's strives to provide safe, accessible and quality care to all our patients, and we acknowledge the important role that Essential Care Partners (ECP) and visitors play with supporting and promoting healing for patients.   

St. Joe’s follows Infection Prevention and Control best practice guidelines to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of infections. 

During respiratory outbreaks, visiting may be restricted

• If your loved one is receiving care on a unit currently experiencing a respiratory outbreak, visitors may not permitted.  
• St. Joe’s care teams will provide updates to a key contact person who can keep other family and friends informed of other options during this time (e.g., video call). 

Exemptions are permitted for:   

• Essential Care Partners (ECPs) (includes Aboriginal Navigators and Spiritual Consultants).
• Essential Care Partners are individuals (family member, friend, neighbour, colleague, community member, Substitute Decision Maker) who know the patient well and work together with the care team to support the patient while in the hospital.
• Patients at end of life.
• Birthing partners.
• Parents of infants in the Special Care Nursery.

Masking is still highly encouraged

• Masks will continue to be available at hospital entrances and on units/clinics. 
• Visitors and ECPs are strongly encouraged to mask in settings where they are in contact with patients, both in inpatient, outpatient and emergency settings (i.e. waiting rooms, patient rooms, dialysis units, urgent care centre and in the emergency department). 
• Visitors and ECPs are asked to respect patient wishes and put on a mask if requested. 
• Patients are strongly encouraged to mask in the emergency department, Urgent Care Centre, Labour and Delivery Triage, and outpatient settings (particularly in waiting rooms). Patients can remove their mask once inside the clinic/examination room. 

There are instances when patients are required to wear a mask 

• Patients with fever or respiratory symptoms continue to be required to mask in all clinical and non-clinical settings (except their inpatient room/bed space).

Visiting hours  

• Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.  
• If you are coming to Charlton Campus after 6 p.m., please go through the Emergency Department entrance (off James Street South). 

Visitor Policy

• Unlimited number of visitors for inpatients. Limit of two at the bedside at one time.
• One support person per patient visiting our outpatient clinics.
• Self-screening for patients, visitors, families and caregivers. This means anyone entering the hospital will not be required to check in with screeners, but you must self-assess.
• Are you having your baby at St. Joe's? Click here to learn more about specific details.

Patient Relations 

Any questions or concerns related to these guidelines can be directed to Patient Relations at ext. 34952 or by email at PatientRelations@StJoes.ca (during business hours) or ask the clinical team to please speak with the Corporate Operations Supervisor after hours.  

Additional Support and Information:

Click here for more helpful Information to support patients, families and visitors.