LANARK COUNTY – The Almonte and Carleton hospitals are now allowing an increase of visitors in to see patients.

“Visits from family and caregivers contribute greatly to a patient’s quality of life and well-being,” hospital communications lead Jane Adams released in a statement last Friday (June 26). “Visits have been challenging during COVID-19 and we are pleased to be able to welcome more visitors at Almonte General Hospital (AGH) and Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH), starting Monday June 29.”

Full details on the new visitor guidelines are posted on the hospital websites at www.agh-fvm.com/visitors and www.cpdmh.ca/visitors.

To begin, visits from next of kin or a patient’s designated Power of Attorney are allowed for patients on the medical/surgical units in both hospitals and the Rosamond Unit at AGH.  Visiting hours are limited and visits must be pre-scheduled. Visitors must go through an active screening process, wash their hands, wear a face mask, and observe physical distancing.

At this time, patients coming to outpatient units cannot bring someone with them, unless they require support. These units include emergency, operating room, ambulatory care, diagnostic imaging and physiotherapy.

Obstetrical patients at AGH may bring one support person with them for the delivery.  That person will be the only visitor permitted during the postpartum stay but may leave the hospital and come back in.

“Keeping patients, staff, and the community safe is our number one priority,” Adams said. “We will be carefully monitoring this process, along with directives and guidelines from Public Health and the Ministry of Health, and will adjust our plan as required.”

For the latest updates about Coronavirus, please visit the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit website at www.healthunit.org. 

“For the latest updates on what we are doing to keep patients safe, please visit our websites at www.almontegeneral.com/coronavirus and www.cpdmh.ca/coronavirus,” Adams said.