Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This page is updated as conditions evolve.

Hotel Dieu Shaver (HDS) continues to be a safe place to receive care, and we continue to take extra precautions as part of our COVID-19 prevention measures.

COVID-19 Status

We currently have no COVID-19 outbreaks at Hotel Dieu Shaver. Visitation continues to be restricted at this time (see below for further details).

Changes to Patient Visitation at HDS

On Tuesday, February 16th, 2021, Niagara returned to the province's COVID-19 Response Framework and transitioned into the Grey/Lockdown zone. Ontario was previously following a shutdown/stay-at-home order.

As a result, Hotel Dieu Shaver has made changes to the current visitor restrictions that are in place at HDS.

As of Tuesday, February 16th, visitation at the hospital will be permitted if the individual:

is supporting a patient in exceptional circumstances; or
has been designated as an Essential Care Partner (ECP) for a patient

An Essential Care Partner (ECP) provides emotional, cognitive or physical care to their loved ones and function as another member of the care team. Members of the patient’s care team will help identify patients who would benefit from this program and provide support to ECPs in the intake process. ECPs will be given HDS’ Universal Masking Policy prior to their first visit.When determining if a patient is eligible for our ECP program, factors considered are:

supporting patients in life altering circumstances
experiencing a mental health crisis
are at end of life
are vulnerable (cognitive, developmentally delayed, language impairment, physical challenges)

Eligible patients will designate up to two (2) people as ECPs, preferably from the same household, who will be their only designated visitors. Loved ones are encouraged to contact the patient’s Charge Nurse for more details. Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Nurse Management approval is required prior to initiating an ECP program for a patient.

Strict IPAC measures are in place at HDS for everyone’s safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an enforced universal masking policy. All guidelines at HDS must be followed, which includes wearing a hospital-issued mask at all times. Those who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to leave.

Hotel Dieu Shaver is sincerely committed to providing the safest environment possible and is extremely grateful to the community for their ongoing support as we continue to care for our patients and their families.

Outpatient Services Ramp Up Plan

We are pleased to announce that Hotel Dieu Shaver will be resuming outpatient services based on a gradual phased approach. In doing so, we are committed to providing information that will help ensure high quality, safe care and communicate with patients and families about this gradual phased process.

Beginning Monday February 01st, 2021, HDS will begin reintroducing services for outpatient programs. As per our last re-opening of outpatient services in July 2020, a provincial tiered methodology will be applied. As a reminder, this methodology includes an ethical decision-making framework in determining a phased/graduated ramp-up approach reflecting the prioritization of patients in accordance to their health care needs, risks, and available supports. As we are applying a tiered approach to resuming outpatient services, we will contact you directly once we are ready to provide you with an appointment.

We appreciate your patience as we work through this process.

Please download HDS' Outpatient Appointment FAQ's here.

Current Suspensions & Closures

To protect health and strengthen safety, until further notice, we are cancelling the service we receive from the following individuals:

Patient Advisors
Students (work placements or volunteers)
Volunteers and Auxilians

Due to reliance upon volunteers, the Gift Shop will be closed until further notice.