Visiting a Patient
Patients & Visitors

Visiting a Patient

Visitor Policy

  • Maximum of two (2) visitors are permitted at a time, between 08:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise directed, e.g. Obstetrics and Pediatrics; end-of-life or at discretion of the care team.
  • Hospital provided face masks must be worn by visitors at all times, including at the beside and in all patient care areas.

*Visitors right to be present can be revoked at any time should they choose to not adhere to infection control practices or engage in disrespectful behavior.*

Here are some important things you need to know:

All Visitors must:

  • Self -screen at each visit to ensure that they have no signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or any other communicable illness.
  • Adhere to all necessary infection control practices – frequent hand washing, wearing a hospital provided surgical mask while visiting with a patient in their room or in all patient care units, Emergency Department, Outpatient Clinics, Diagnostic Imaging, Surgical Services, Dialysis, Cancer Care Clinic and whenever receiving direct patient care.
  • Visitors are not permitted to eat or drink in the patient’s room.
  • Visitors are permitted to access the cafeteria.
  • Those who are accompanying patients in the Emergency Department, for day surgery or outpatient clinic appointments, are to remain with the patient at all times unless otherwise directed by a member of the care team, e.g. day surgery visitors may be asked to depart and return to the hospital following the procedure as waiting room space is currently restricted.

Could visiting be stopped?

  • If the number of COVID-19 cases and respiratory illnesses in the community increases or if we are in an outbreak, OSMH may put restrictions on all visiting.


Thank you for continuing to partner with us in keeping everyone safe.

If you have further questions please contact 705-325-2201 ext. 0


Scent-Free Environment

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is a scent-free environment.

Scented products such as hair spray, perfume, and deodorant can trigger reactions such as respiratory distress and headaches. Visitors are asked to not use these products when visiting the hospital.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Pet Visitation

All pet visits must be pre-arranged. Pet visits are limited to dogs and will be restricted to the following units:

  • Complex Continuing Care or Rehabilitation patients who have prolonged hospital stay
  • Patients requesting a visit for compassionate reasons such as palliative care
    All personal visits to patients meeting the criteria above must be pre-arranged with the unit nursing staff.

Pets visits from registered agencies, such as St. John Ambulance, have approval for scheduled visits to OSMH as part of animal assisted therapy and activities. These dogs are identified by the uniform that they wear.

Guide dogs and service animals are also allowed to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the hospital. For reasons of infection prevention and control, the service animal must remain with their owner at all times. Interaction with others is discouraged. In the event that a service animal and/or owner enters an isolation room or is unable to comply with infection control measures, Infection Prevention and Control must be consulted regarding any special precautions and/or recommendations required. An up-to-date vaccine certificate may be required.

If you have a guide dog or service animal and will be a patient at the hospital please make sure to inform one of your care providers about the emergency contact information for your service animal in case of an emergency.


Night Access

Visitors are permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise directed, e.g. Obstetrics and Pediatrics; end-of-life or at discretion of the care team.