CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) is announcing some changes to its visitation policies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve locally.
Beginning July 28, CCH will remain under moderate visitation restrictions but updates to the framework will now allow one partner or visitor to accompany patients for obstetrical ultrasounds, to and from dialysis (but not staying for the appointment itself), surgery (same day admitted patients only), and emergency department visits.
Women in labour will also be able to identify up to two essential care partners for the birth and delivery, which could include a doula.
With these latest updates most patients at CCH are now able to safely welcome visitors or be accompanied for visits.
The full breakdown of moderate visitation restrictions can be found online at www.cornwallhospital.ca/en/VisitingHours.
“We understand the importance of having family and care partners accompany or visit patients. Safely allowing more visitors is an extremely important part of providing compassionate and high-quality patient-centered care,” says Jeanette Despatie, President and CEO.
CCH is continually monitoring the prevalence of COVID-19 locally and evaluating changes to its visitation policies based on guidance received by the provincial government. The hospital hopes to safely ease more visitor restrictions for in the coming weeks should local case counts continue dropping and vaccination rates hold steady.
“However, we must continue to be vigilant and safe. As our community begins to re-open, it is important to remember that hospitals are faced with unique challenges and follow specific infection prevention and control guidance provided by the province which may be more restrictive than other community public health guidelines,” adds Despatie.
