Hospital visitor restrictions easing in N.S.

Nova Scotia Health has begun the gradual easing of restrictions to allow more opportunities for family caregivers and primary support people to support patients.

Support people/visitors, however, will still be required to show proof of vaccination when entering healthcare facilities.

Exceptions may be made for compassionate reasons such as emergency situations and end-of-life care, in discussion with the care team. In these circumstances, support people will be required to follow additional infection prevention and control measures to ensure the health and safety of our patients and our teams.

Proof of vaccination will not be required for those seeking or receiving care or treatment.

Effective March 7, support people/family caregivers are permitted for patients in the following situations.

Three designated support people at a time for:

• Palliative care and other patients nearing end of life.

• Patients receiving medical assistance in dying.

In both of these cases, palliative patients and others nearing end-of-life may identify a maximum of five designated support people. Three of these five designated support people may visit each day and can visit at the same time where space permits.

Two designated support people at a time for:

• children and youth under 19 admitted to hospital

• patients in intensive care units and critically ill patients in emergency departments

• patients in labour and giving birth

In these cases, children, patients in ICU, and critically ill patients in emergency departments and patients in labour and giving birth may identify up to three support people; only two will be permitted to visit at a time.

One designated support person at a time for:

• children and youth under 19 in outpatient settings

• hospital inpatients (Note: hospital inpatients are asked to identify three support people per week. These three designated support people may visit each day, but only one will be permitted to visit at a time.)

• patients in emergency departments

• prenatal visits, including ultrasounds

• ambulatory care clinics, appointments or procedures

In a media release, Nova Scotia Health says, “procedures will vary by site and inpatient unit based on ability to manage and monitor the public health guidelines in place to protect the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors.”

Nova Scotia Health will continue to closely monitor the situation and make changes when needed.