Public Service Announcement - Visitor restrictions further expanded in Northern Zone
January 13, 2022
Increased visitor restrictions are being implemented at Colchester East Hants Health Centre today to reflect COVID-19 activity.
Visitor restrictions in Nova Scotia Health facilities were put in place last week to further reduce the risk of the virus being introduced or spread within its facilities. These restrictions are in place at most sites in Nova Scotia Health’s Northern Zone (Municipality of East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties).
Inpatients and long-term care residents at the following sites and units in the Northern Zone are not able to receive any visitors due to COVID-19 activity and/or staffing requirements:
· Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro – E2 Community Transition / Surgery Unit, D3 COVID-19 / Medicine Unit (NEW)
· Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow - Transitional Care Unit
· Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital, Pictou - Northumberland Veterans Unit
· South Cumberland Community Care Centre, Parrsboro
· Bayview Memorial Health Centre, Advocate Harbour
Each resident in these facilities or units will be permitted to have two designated caregivers to provide mental and physical support whenever possible based on operational situations.
Exceptions may be made for palliative care patients, patients receiving Medical Assistance in Dying and other patients nearing end of life in consultation with their care team. Whenever possible, our teams will use technology to enable virtual involvement of support persons. These restrictions will remain in place until further notice and will be monitored closely.
Please note, all other hospitals/sites within the Northern Zone will follow provincial inpatients and outpatients visitor restriction guidelines: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus-home/family-presence-during-covid-19-important-information-support-peoplevisitors
Nova Scotia Health sincerely apologizes to patients and their families for strict visitor restrictions at this time. We understand restrictions are difficult for patients and families and appreciate the important and valuable role family caregivers play in supporting patient care and mental wellbeing. As our teams work to implement these changes to keep our patients and staff safe, we thank all of you for your continued support, patience and understanding. We will monitor these restrictions closely and will make changes when appropriate.
– 30 –
Provincial media line: 1-844-483-3344