• To keep everyone safe, avoid overcrowding and allow for physical distancing, one visitor per patient may be permitted depending on the environmental constraints and current volumes in the ED. 
• Outpatient clinic visitors must be pre-approved prior to arriving at the clinic. 

Southlake’s Emergency Department (ED) remains open 24/7. If you feel you need emergency care, it is safe to visit Southlake’s ED. 

Southlake’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre is separate from the ED, with the intention of keeping the ED focused on patients who need emergency care. 

Southlake is seeing high levels of patients. To keep everyone safe, avoid overcrowding and allow for physical distancing, one visitor per patient will be permitted, depending on the current volumes in the department and with the discretion of staff.

Yes.

Effective November 15, 2021, all visitors must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (two doses plus a minimum of fourteen days) and government issued photo identification for every visit. A negative COVID-19 test is not an exception for visitor and Designated Care Provider’s (DCPs) proof of vaccination.

Please place the package in a plastic bag and clearly label with the patient’s name and room number. The packages can be dropped off with the screeners at the East Main Entrance.  We have staff who are pleased to take your care package and deliver to your loved one.

To schedule a visit, call 905-895-4521 ext. 2728 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.

TV rentals are provided by Health Hub. For information on renting a TV during your stay, click here or turn on the TV once in your patient room and follow the directions.

If you require information on rental fees, please call 1-866-223-3686.

If you are expecting to give birth at Southlake during the pandemic, or have a child in the hospital, please click here to visit our Families & Babies page for more specific information regarding Designated Care Partners.

We are continuing to post vacancies at www.southlake.ca and recruitment will continue for essential positions. Interviews during this time will be scheduled via Skype. Thank you for your patience and ongoing interest in becoming part of the Southlake team.

If you are expecting to give birth at Southlake during the pandemic, or have a child in the hospital, please click here to visit our Families & Babies page for more specific information regarding Designated Care Partners.

We have launched a PPE drive. Please visit  www.southlake.ca/foundation/southlake-ppe-drive for more information.

Yes. Southlake remains a safe place to receive and provide care. 

Southlake currently has higher on-site access for visitors, aligned with the provincial Roadmap to Reopen. Effective November 15, Southlake will require all visitors and Designated Care Partners to be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination and identification will be validated during screening.

Protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff and community is our top priority. For this reason, visiting hours, duration of visits and the number of visitors permitted in the hospital at one time may be restricted. We continue to update our essential visitor policy as the COVID-19 situation evolves in our community.

Please note:

• To schedule a visit, call 905-895-4521 ext. 2728 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.
• Visits must be arranged ahead of time and with approval by the unit Manager or designate.
• Visits must be scheduled for one hour between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Visitors must wear a medical mask at all times, including in the patient’s room.
• Visitors who feel unwell (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat): please do not visit at this time. 

Please click here for full guidelines for visitors.

Age for visiting is restricted to 16 years of age and over; however, the ability of the visitor to follow infection control practices may be assessed to ensure that appropriate supervision is available to adhere to any requirements.

Patients will have received notification if their scheduled appointment was cancelled. If you are scheduled for an appointment please be prepared to answer the screening questions at the east main entrance.   

If you answer yes to any of these questions we will ask you not to enter the building. 

Please be kind to our screeners at the entrances. They are doing everything they can to keep our vulnerable patients and staff safe during this time.

Visiting is restricted to scheduled times. You must schedule your visit in advance with the care team. The scheduled visit times limit the number of people in the building at any one time in order to facilitate physical distancing of 2 metres.

All patients will be screened before entering the hospital.

To ensure the most efficient screening process, Southlake has currently restricted access to the main campus.

Main Hospital
Enter through the East main entrance (#1 on the map below) or the Level 2 Bridge in the West Parking Garage (#2 on the map below)

Medical Arts Building (MAB)
Enter through the North entrance – parking lot side (#3 on the map below) or through the Bridge (#4 on the map below)

Cancer Centre
Enter through the ground level lobby entrance (#5 on the map below)

This does not apply to patients going to the Emergency Department (ED). Patients who are going to the ED should continue to use the main ED entrance (#6 on the map above).

Designated Care Providers (DCPs) provide support to specific patients and are designated by the patient/substitute decision maker/POA. DCPs provide support to patients with significant developmental, intellectual or functional disabilities such as cognitive impairment or communication barriers. They may provide direct care to the patients such as feeding, mobility, hygiene, cognitive stimulation, communication and meaningful connection or may assist with decision making. 

• DCPs must be fully vaccinated and be at least 18 years of age.     
• DCPs and hours of visitation must be approved by the Manager or designate of the unit. DCPs do not have to call the inpatient booking line in order to book their visit.  
• DCPs must follow Southlake visitor guidelines.  
• DCP access will be determined based on compassionate circumstances surrounding the individual patient. 

Please clean your hands often, avoid touching your face, practice physical distancing by minimizing contact with others outside of your home, and self-monitor for any symptoms, particularly fever, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath and/or sore throat. If you have symptoms please get tested.

You can reach York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. 

If you’re having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911. 

If you would like to arrange a virtual visit with your loved one please email the patient’s name and your contact information to VirtualVisit@southlake.ca.

• Proof of full vaccination
• Government issued photo identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport)

Approved visitors attending Southlake with an extenuating circumstance will be screened at the entrance door and provided a VISITOR name tag with the date. Visitor nametags must be visible at all times. 

Who cannot visit?

• Anyone exhibiting the following signs or symptoms:
  • Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Anyone who is known or suspected COVID-19 positive and has not been cleared by Public Heath.
• Anyone who is a contact of a known COVID-19 positive individual.
• Those who are feeling unwell.

Limited exceptions will apply for those with approved medical exemptions and visitors of specific patient populations including; end of life, children under 18 and child birth.