Changes to visitor policy at LHSC’s Children’s Hospital, Women’s Care program amid surge in measles cases

LHSC is making policy changes at the Children’s Hospital because of the surge in measles cases.

In response to the increase in measles cases across southwestern Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is updating their policies regarding visitors at the Children’s Hospital and the Women’s Care program.

Until further notice, the following visitor restrictions are in place at Children’s Hospital:

• Only one parent/caregiver at a time will be permitted to stay with a child while they receive care at Children’s Hospital.
• All parent/caregivers will be screened before entering and must provide proof of measles immunity or wear an N95 mask at all times. (Proof of immunity includes: a certificate showing two doses of the MMR vaccine, those born before 1970, or bloodwork results that show antibodies to the virus.)
• No siblings, other family members, or friends will be allowed to enter other than the designated parent/caregiver at this time.

For the Women’s Care program, the following visitor restrictions are in place:

For outpatient clinic appointments:

• If you are feeling unwell or have been exposed to measles over the past 21 days, please call your physician or midwife before arriving. Your care provider may choose to defer your appointment or see you virtually instead.
• One support person may accompany you to your appointment if they feel well and don’t have symptoms such as a fever, cough or rash.
• As measles is most common in children, those under 7 years old are unable to accompany you at this time.

For inpatient units:

• One adult support person may be with you at a time during your hospital stay if they feel well and don’t have symptoms such as a fever, cough or rash. If they develop these symptoms while accompanying you, they will be asked to return home until they’re feeling better.
• Your support person should stay by your side, only leaving the room when necessary.

These policy changes will remain in effect until further notice.