Services & amenities

Palliative care provides a broad range of services to address the individual physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their significant others.

• Garden room
  The garden room is located just outside K1E, near the elevators.  Although during the day there may be unit meetings occurring in this room, you should feel free to use this room or reserve the room when it is available.  There is a schedule on the door indicating when the room is reserved.  The garden room has often been used for patient/family birthdays, parties, anniversaries and other gatherings.  If you would like to decorate the room to suit the occasion please discuss this with staff.  Please note due to fire regulations the use of candles are not permitted.
  The garden room can accomodate up to eight people for a maximum of two hours.  If you wish to have a larger gathering, please contact the recreation therapist or a social worker. This room must not be used for the purpose of sleeping or as an option for overnight accommodation.
• Internet access
  A desktop computer is set-up in our family room. Patients and family members may also use a personal laptop in their hospital room. Wireless access is available. You can find information about connecting to our Guest Wi-Fi network at sunnybrook.ca/wifi.
• Kitchen
  The unit has an equipped kitchen for family and patient use, including:

  • Fridge: You are welcome to leave food items in the fridge.  Please label these items with your name.  If an item is not labeled, anyone can claim it. Each week, the patient services partner will remove any unlabeled items and expired food.
  • Dishwasher: Use of this appliance is reserved for large loads of dishes.  Please do not leave any unwashed dishes in the dishwasher.
  • Tea kettle: There is sometimes a selection of donated tea bags for your use on the kitchen shelves.  If it is not labeled with a patient's name, feel free to use them.
  • Coffee maker: We invite you to make coffee.  Please bring in your own coffee grounds.
  • Tableware: This is for use for in the kitchen area only.  Please do not remove tableware to other areas or to your room.
  • Dining table & chairs: Please wipe the table after each use.  The dining room chairs are to remain in the kitchen area.
  • Sink: Please wash your dishes after each use in the sink in order to maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen.
  • Microwave: Please clean after each use.
  • Toaster: Please clean after each use.
  • Icemaker & water dispenser
• Laundry
  There is a washer and dryer available if your family wishes to wash your personal items or clothing.  There is no charge for these machines; however, you will need to supply your own laundry detergent.  Check with staff for access to this room.
• Linens
  Linens are provided for the use of our patients only.  Please ask your nurse if fresh linens are required (blankets, sheets, towels, washcloths).  Patients are welcome to bring additional pillows, comforters or blankets from home.  Family members are responsible for the cleaning of these items.  Friends and family who stay in a cot on the unit are required to bring their own pillow and linens.
• Living room
  This area is next to the kitchen and includes chairs, magazines, books, and a TV.  This home-like living area is designed for your comfort and the comfort of your visitors.  Please help us keep it neat and tidy.  This room must not be used for the purpose of sleeping or as an option for overnight accommodation.
• Menus
  As a patient on our unit, you will be provided with menu selections a week in advance. Either you or your family can complete menu choices. Your menu choices will be determined by the assessment of your dietary or medical needs. Also, depending on your dietary or medical needs, your family is welcome to bring in favourite foods from home
• Passes - day or weekend
  There may be times when you will wish to visit outside the hospital. This may be possible depending on your medical situation. Please discuss your plans in advance with staff in order that preparations can be made to accommodate you. For weekend passes, notification by Thursday at 7:00 a.m. is required. The maximum number of days you can be away and maintain your space is three days. If you require special transportation such as a wheelchair taxi or private ambulance, please contact your social worker.
• Personal belongings
  We welcome you to bring small personal items such as stand-alone pictures that may be placed on your side table, flowers, quilts and memorabilia to decorate your room and make it more home-like. Please do not bring any pictures for hanging on the walls. We suggest that you do not bring items of great sentimental or monetary value, as we cannot be responsible for their safety. We also encourage you to bring in personal toiletries such as soap, shampoo, razors, Kleenex, etc., as these items are a matter of preference and are not stocked on the unit.
• Semi-private & private accomodations
  Ward room (3 patients) or private room assigned for medical criteria:
  There is no charge for ward accommodation or private room accommodation for medical need.
  
  Private or Semi-Private room on request:
  The greatest priority for a private room is for those who require it for a specific medical need. Those who are determined by the palliative care unit team to have a medical need do not pay a fee for a private room. If you or your family requests a private or a semi-private room, there is a daily private-room accommodation charge beginning on the day of admission. For some patients, this may be covered by private insurance. Please contact your insurance company to determine whether your policy includes coverage for a private or a semi-private room on our unit. For those requesting a private room for personal reasons rather than medical criteria, the 2017 charge is $85.00 per day. For those requesting a semi-private room for personal reasons, the 2017 charge is $45.00 per day. If no private or semi-private room is available, please contact the social worker to be placed on the wait list while in a Ward room.
• Quiet room
  The quiet room (K1E-03) is available for those who experience a need for a quiet moment, some privacy, a family meeting, or a desire to make a private phone call.  In order that this room may be available to all wishing to access it, day or night, it must not be used for the purpose of sleeping or as an option for overnight accommodation.
• Showers
  The showers on K1E are available for patient use only.
• Telephones
  Telephones are at every bedside. The charge for the phone is $4.00 per day, up to a maximum charge of $120.00 regardless of length of stay. Long distance charges are the responsibility of patients and their families. If you do not want the use of a bedside phone, please contact the patient administrative associate at the unit reception desk to inform them. In this case you will not be charged for telephone usage. For those visitors using cell phones, we ask that you respect the noise level by limiting cell phone conversations to the bedside or the common rooms. Please do not use cell phones in the hallways.
• Televisions
  We invite you to bring your own television set. We ask that you also bring earphones for the comfort of other residents. Each bed has access to basic cable, available in the room free of charge. Extra channels may be ordered on the unit at an extra cost. The unit does not supply televisions, though some donated television sets may be available; please inquire if interested.
• Time for tea
  This supportive gathering is held every Tuesday in the kitchen at 3:00 p.m. for the families, partners, friends and caregivers of our patients. Tea, coffee and cookies are offered to those who drop in. This gathering is facilitated by members of the interprofessional palliative care team.
• Toronto Public Library
  We have our own branch of the Toronto Public Library (TPL). Located in K wing, Ground floor, Room 06, the library offers books, CDs, books-on-tape, videos (VCR and DVD) and brings request items in for your convenience. Items borrowed from other TPL branches can be returned at this branch as well.  Internet access is also available in the library. Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., please drop by and take advantage of the library's services.