Visitors

Our visiting hours

Visiting hours for the palliative care unit are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. We ask visitors to consider patients' needs for quietness and privacy, especially during the evening and night hours. When visiting the unit after hours, please enter via the George Hees Wing (L wing) you'll need to use the telephone keypad located at the entrance to the George Hees wing. Extension numbers are listed for security and the palliative care unit. Please call to gain access into the facility.

In order to respect the needs of the other patients, we ask that the number of visitors be limited to two in the room at a time. If there are more than two visitors, you are welcome to rotate visitors and wait in the garden room or TV room or off the unit. We encourage family and friends to go home to get proper rest. When there is a need to have someone remain overnight, we need to limit the visitors to one per patient. We may be able to provide a cot at the bedside for this use. Please see a staff member to see if a cot is available. We ask that you bring your own linens and fold your cot by 7:30 a.m. so the staff can complete their care of their patients. If death is expected within 12 hours, up to four visitors are welcome in the room at a time. Please speak with your nurse in this case.

The unit does not provide sitters or companions but these can be privately hired by families if desired. There is a sitter policy which applies to a companion hired.

Please no lilies or lilacs

Flowers may be delivered or brought to the palliative care unit by family and friends. However many elements in the environment can trigger or influence health and disease. In consideration of others who may suffer from sensitivities or have allergic reactions to heavy scents, we would request that you refrain from sending floral bouquets that have lilies or lilacs in them. It has been our experience that lilies and lilacs have a strong scent that can trigger allergic reactions. We appreciate your cooperation and attention to this request.

Pets

Pets are welcome visitors. Sunnybrook's pet policy states that pets must be clean, well groomed and have their vaccinations up to date. They must be supervised at all times when on the unit and must be on a leash while on hospital premises. The person responsible for the pet must clean up any "accidents." If asked by staff, any animal must be removed from the premises if there are concerns about unacceptable animal behaviour or if a patient appears to be disturbed by a pet visitor. Please be considerate of other patients while your pet visits.

Washrooms

The washroom on K1E 07 is only available between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. due to patient care needs. There is a public washroom located in the K1C / K1W lobby area, near the K1C / K1W elevators and recreation kitchen as well there is a washroom located on the ground floor across the artisan market place. Ask a staff member to direct you if needed. We also ask that visitors do not use washrooms in patient rooms.