Bluewater Health is further restricting who can be in the hospital with sick family members.

In a news release this afternoon the hospital said Bluewater Health is further reducing visiting to ensure a safe and secure environment for patients and staff. Only labouring mothers, paediatric patients, patients undergoing surgery, or patients who are end-of-life may have one consistent visitor throughout their stay. Designated visitors will be screened for symptoms and recent travel, and are required to check in at the nurses’ station. Until now, anyone staying the hospital could have one consistent visitor.

“We recognize the impact of isolation for patients and families, and are doing whatever we can to help patients and loved ones stay connected throughout these restrictions. We are offering patients other tools to stay busy as we implement best practices to manage anticipated surges in patient volumes due to COVID-19,” says Sannon Landry, the hospital’s chief nursing executive.

Staff will help patients connect to family with Skype, FaceTime and telephone calls either with their own devices or with devises from the hospital. Officials are also asking pateints to register for social opportunties like Lambton County Connects.

Bedside TV programming will be offered free of charge until further notice.