Visitor Information

Simulations are an important part of North York General’s strong culture of learning as an academic hospital and are a vital way our teams can hone their skills to provide exceptional care.

During your visit to NYGH, you may hear or see team members participate in simulated exercises that help our teams gain insights and enhance overall care.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to better serve our patients.

Updated: September 26, 2023

Visiting a patient

NYGH welcomes families, Essential Care Partners (ECPs)/support people and visitors to our hospital and community locations. We want everyone to be safe and comfortable during their visit.

As the pandemic improves and Ontario eases some COVID-19 policies, NYGH has adjusted our guidelines for visitors and ECPs.

Please note: the Seniors’ Health Centre has a separate policy consistent with provincial directives for Long-Term Care Homes.

As the COVID-19 pandemic changes in the future, NYGH may need to make further changes to protect our patients, health care teams and the public.

Guidelines at a Glance

Public Entrances

Everyone can now enter and exit the General site through Entrance 2 West and Entrance 1 South between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and through Entrance 1 South after hours by pressing the intercom button beside the public entrance door to gain access

Expanded Visitor Access

Patients can have visitors 24 hours a day according to their preference, with two visitors at the bed side at a time to maintain physical distancing.
To support families, children under 14 are excluded from this limit. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is not a patient and wear a mask provided by NYGH.
Visits with patients admitted to a unit with a declared outbreak may be considered. Speak with your patient’s care team.
Outpatients can have up to two visitors accompany them for an appointment.
To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, the patient’s care team may make exceptions to the above.
Pre-booking and signing into the unit upon arrival is no longer required.
Virtual visits are still available over MS Teams or Facetime. To arrange a virtual visit, connect directly with the patient’s nursing unit.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Visitors and ECPs are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for protection against infection and serious illness.
If you haven’t received your vaccination or booster shot yet, please do so as soon as you can. See vaccination clinics near you.
Consistent with Ontario’s current vaccination requirements for public spaces and the health system, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required to enter NYGH sites.

On the Day of Your Visit

Enter through the West and South lobby entrances between 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or through the South Lobby entrance after hours by pressing the intercom button beside the public entrance door to gain access.

When entering NYGH sites, everyone must take the following steps:

Step 1: Confirm your have self-screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Do not enter if feeling unwell, showing symptoms, are COVID-19 positive, awaiting results of a COVID-19 test, or in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
Step 2: Clean your hands with hand sanitizer available from a provided dispenser.
Step 3: Take a mask from the dispenser and wear it in all patient care areas covering your mouth, nose and chin. Personal cloth masks/ face coverings are not permitted on site.

Masks Required for Patient Areas

Everyone must continue to wear masks provided by NYGH in all patient-care areas at our sites. This includes inpatient units, outpatient clinics, the Emergency Department, Medical Imaging, all waiting rooms, registration areas, and any clinical service department such as the outpatient laboratory. Thank you for protecting our patients by wearing a mask.
Masks are highly recommended but optional in meeting rooms, the cafeteria, Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, administrative offices, staff break rooms and lounges.

Wireless internet and phones

Internet access

North York General Hospital offers free wireless internet at the General site, making it easier for our patients and visitors to stay connected with family and friends.

How to access free wireless internet:

Enable Wi-Fi on your device (laptop, tablet or smartphone)
Select “NYGH_GUEST” from the wireless network list
Launch your internet browser by accepting the Wireless Terms of Use.
Read the Wireless Terms of Use

Please note that access to Wi-Fi is given for a 24-hour period. To renew for another 24-hour period, please follow the same steps listed above and ensure you accept the Wireless Terms of Use.

To call a patient

Dial the main hospital line at 416-756-6000 then follow the instructions and enter the extension.

You may obtain a patient's room or phone number from a volunteer at the General site's Information Desk on the ground floor (south lobby). If you do not know the extension, please wait for an operator to come on the line and redirect you.

To make a call from a patient phone

Dial “9” then dial the 10-digit number you are trying to reach.

Long distance calls must be made through the operator and must be either collect (charged to another number) or credit card. For assistance, press “0”.

Cell phones

Cell phones and wireless communication devices are allowed in the hospital in areas where they will not interfere with sensitive electronic equipment. As a courtesy, please turn off your cell phone during appointments.

Cell phones are restricted and must be turned off in the following areas of the hospital:

General site:

Operating suites (first floor)
Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency's patient care areas (1st floor)
Medical Imaging (first floor)
BMO Financial Group Breast Diagnostic Centre (1st floor)
Tippet Foundation Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2nd floor)
Intensive Care Unit (6th floor)
Telemetry Unit (6th floor)
Waiting area (6th floor)

Virtual Family visits

Virtual family visits continue to be offered as another option to connect patients/residents with their loved ones. We are using Microsoft Teams and FaceTime to connect virtually. To book a visit, please connect directly with the unit.

Information desks

General site Torokvei Atrium (ground floor lobby)
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Weekends and statutory holidays: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

First floor, West Lobby
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Weekends and statutory holidays: closed

General site Emergency Department (Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency)
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m.to 3:30 p.m.
Weekends and statutory holidays: closed

Learn what to expect when visiting the Emergency Department.