Horizon to maintain visitor restrictions, encourages connecting virtually with loved ones over the holidays

Due to the continued high number of COVID-19 cases and risks associated with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant across New Brunswick, Horizon is maintaining its current visitor restrictions.

This means there continues to be NO SOCIAL VISITORS ALLOWED at Horizon hospitals and health care facilities.

“We understand how important the presence of family members and loved ones are to our patients, especially around the holidays, however we have to be extremely diligent and take extra precautions due to the risks associated with the new variant,” said Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s Vice President, Quality and Patient-Centred Care. “By limiting the number of people in our facilities through visitor restrictions, we are ensuring safety for all by reducing the chance of COVID-19 infecting our patients, clients, staff and physicians.”

Some exceptions are in place for certain patients, including patients who are eligible for a designated support person (DSP):

  • End of Life – Palliative Care
  • Obstetrics (Labour and Delivery, Postpartum)
  • Neonatal
  • Intensive Care/Critical Care Units
  • Pediatrics
  • Patients who have been in hospital for 14 days or longer
  • Patients with intellectual / communication impairments (cognitive impairment leading to agitation and inability to console; communication impairment which affects care)

As well, patients visiting an Emergency Department and outpatient clinics who require assistance may have one support person only.

All DSPs must:

  • Be fully vaccinated.There arelimited exceptionsto the vaccine requirement for urgent or essential reasons including: emergency and critical care, end of life and support/care for children under 16 years of age. In these exceptional circumstances a negative COVID-19 PCR test completed within 72 hours is required. Please speak to your health care team regarding theselimited exceptions.
  • Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms before each visit. Symptomatic persons are NOT permitted.
  • Take part inactive screening before entering.
  • Wear a mask, wash their hands and only go to their loved one’s room.

How to connect with your loved ones in hospital over the holidays

We understand it is difficult to be unable to visit your loved one in hospital, especially during a time of uncertainty and over the holidays, but these guidelines are in place to protect our patients, clients, staff and physicians.

We continue to work with our patients, their families and care partners to identify alternate ways to communicate with limitations on visitors in our facilities. Check out some helpful tools below:

  • Horizon’s Well Wishes Program: our dedicated staff are pleased to personally deliver a well-wishing email to a patient in any of our hospitals. Learn more and deliver a message today by clicking HERE.
  • Consider calling or using video messaging where technology permits. In partnership with local hospital Foundations and Auxiliaries, we offer free wireless Internet access for patients and their families at many of our hospitals and facilities. More information is available HERE.
  • Most patient beds are equipped with a private telephone. Upon request and by following the specific instructions a telephone service can be provided.
  • Personal items can be dropped off for your loved ones if the items have not come from a household that is under isolation. For a complete list of accepted items, please click HERE.

Horizon’s hospitals and health care facilities included in these restrictions are:

  • Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen
  • Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton
  • Grand Manan Hospital
  • Hotel-Dieu of St. Joseph in Perth-Andover
  • Miramichi Regional Hospital
  • Oromocto Public Hospital
  • Sackville Memorial Hospital
  • Saint John Regional Hospital
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John
  • Stan Cassidy Centre For Rehabilitation in Fredericton
  • Sussex Health Centre
  • The Moncton Hospital
  • Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville
  • Ridgewood Veterans Health Wing in Saint John
  • Veterans Health Unit in Fredericton

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For more information contact:

Kris McDavid

Media Relations

Horizon Health Network

1-877-499-1899

Media@HorizonNB.ca

horizonnb.ca/news