COVID-19: New guidelines for visitors and designated support persons

Bathurst, Thursday, March 25, 2021 – The Network recognizes how important it is for patients to have a loved one by their side and henceforth authorizes one designated support person to be present at flexible times in all pandemic alert levels, despite visiting restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

General visitors are only allowed to visit at specific times in the yellow alert level. A designated support person provides important support to the patient and is essential to the patient’s well-being. This person can support and assist the patient in various ways: help with decision making, physical or emotional support, assistance with the patient’s primary needs (eating, washing, communicating, etc.).

Patients allowed to have a designated support person

Patients in Obstetrics, Pediatrics / Pediatric Psychiatry and Intensive/Critical Care

  • One designated support person at a time.

Patients in Palliative Care / receiving end-of-life care

  • One designated support person at a time from a list of 10 people. The hospital must be provided with the list of people beforehand.
  • One spiritual care advisor may also be present to provide comfort.
  • If one designated support person needs assistance, two designated support persons can be present at the same time.
  • Two designated support persons at the same time when the patient is at the end of life.

Patients receiving medical assistance in dying

  • Before the procedure:
    • One designated support person at a time from a list of 10 people. The hospital must be provided with the list of people beforehand.
  • During the procedure:
    • Two designated support persons at the same time;
    • One spiritual care advisor may also be present to provide comfort.

Patients hospitalized for 14 or more days

  • One designated support person at a time.

Patients with COVID-19 and patients in isolation suspected of COVID-19

  • No visitors or support persons.

Patients in Emergency and ambulatory services

  • One support person only for patients needing physical or emotional support or needing help with decision making or communication.
  • One support person only for pediatric patients.
  • Pregnant women who have an appointment at an obstetrics clinic or an ultrasound exam may be accompanied by one support person.

Visitors and designated support persons have an important role to play in protecting the health and safety of patients and staff. They must not go to the hospital if they have symptoms of COVID-19, have travelled outside the province or if they have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

The Network encourages designated support persons to read the guide developed for them on the Network’s website before they go to the hospital.
Please note that staff may limit the number of visitors or the length of visits at any time. Specific situations may also result in a modification to the guidelines and prohibit a visitor or designated support person from being present. In such cases, staff will inform patients of the various options available to them.

The Network encourages the public to visit its “Hospital visits are restricted” page for more information on the new guidelines: https://www.vitalitenb.ca/en/covid-19/visits.