Patient + Visitor Restrictions

Your safety is our biggest priority

We are delighted that Nova Scotia Public Health pandemic measures are changing and reopening across the province has begun. At IWK Health because of the patients and families we serve, we continue to require enhanced measures even as the provincial restrictions are eased.

These ongoing measures remain in place to ensure safety for all as we continue to navigate reopening. They include pre-screening before your appointment or admission, door screening on arrival, masking when you come on site, testing when you’re admitted, and limits on the number of support persons who can come with you. 

If you have questions before your arrival about your appointment or admission, you may contact your health care team directly, or you can call the IWK COVID hotline at 1-902-233-3495.

Aligned with a phased provincial reopening plan and based on improving epidemiology of COVID-19 in NS, one support person per patient will be welcomed for all adult ambulatory/outpatient services starting Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 8:00 AM.

There will be an increase to support people in several areas at IWK Health. These include:

• up to two adult support people for all adult inpatient services 
• one adult support person for adult day surgery 
• one adult support person for prenatal care, including prenatal ultrasound 
• up to two adult support people for pediatric day surgery

Latest support person restrictions

There are differences in the physical layout where care is being provided. These differences impact our ability to practice appropriate physical distancing therefore we have taken a location-by-location approach to support person restrictions.

We will be screening at the door to ensure our patients are kept safe.

We must continue to minimize numbers to the health care facilities to protect patients and staff. Please note that children under the age of 12 are not considered a support person. Please make childcare arrangements for siblings and children not receiving care. Infants (12 months and younger) who are breastfeeding will be supported to come to the health centre during outpatient appointments and are allowed to remain with their mothers in the event of overnight admission.

We understand the complexity involved in implementing these changes and that some areas may have difficulty accommodating additional support people due to the need to maintain physical distancing requirements. In these cases, care teams will work with families to discuss options based on care needs. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make additional changes as required.

Also see:

• Masking Policy
• Your Visit Reminders
• Screening & Building Entry

Service Updates

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