Family Presence and Visitation at SHA Facilities
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is committed to open and safe family presence in all facilities/homes.
What is Open Family Presence?
Open family presence means that patients and residents can choose the essential family/support persons they want to be with them while they are in hospital or long term care.
- There are no set “visiting hours” or time limits for their essential family/support person(s) as they are part of the patient/resident’s care team and are considered essential.
- Essential Family/support person’s actions support the patient/resident’s well-being and must not interfere with the care, rest or recovery of others.
Visitors are different from family/support persons.
- Visitors are not part of the patient/resident’s care team and are not considered essential. They are welcome to stop by, but will not have the same level of access as an essential family/support person.
Open Family Presence still has limits
Patients/residents are the experts on their own lives, needs and preferences, so it makes sense they will let us know who they want to provide in-person support and when. However, if someone’s presence disrupts well-being, rest and/or recovery, they can be asked to leave.
General visitors/social visits are not allowed 24/7.
Essential Family/Support person (s) enhance the care and well being of their loved ones as they:
- participate in decision-making with the resident/patient;
- serve as an essential part of the care team; and
- assist with quality of life or care needs.
Visitor (s) are people who:
- are not involved in the caregiving or decision-making; and
- provide a non-essential social visit.