RVH returns to pre-pandemic visiting hours

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ont. (CTV NEWS BARRIE)

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is returning to pre-pandemic 24/7 visiting hours.

Starting Monday, visitors can see patients 24/7, seven days a week, with some exceptions.

Rachel Kean, RVH's vice president of quality, risk and patient experience, said the change is a positive one for patients and their families.

"Knowing how comforting it can be for patients to have a loved one with them during their RVH stay, we are pleased that we can now return safely to a 24-hour visiting policy," Kean stated.

Under the new guidelines, patients can have two visitors at a time between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

From 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., one visitor over the age of 16 is allowed.

There are no visiting hour restrictions for palliative care patients, though this is at the discretion of the care team.

There are some exceptions to the 24-hour rule for specific departments, including Child and Youth Mental Health, the Intensive Care Unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and pediatrics.

"In all cases, visitors may be asked by the care team to leave at any time," RVH noted.

Entry and exit must be through the Atrium entrance for those visiting between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.