Preparing for your visit
Welcome to London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). Our skilled and dedicated nurses, physicians and other health care professionals will do everything they can to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
We are a teaching hospital. You may find that the next generation of health care providers—residents, trainees, and students—are part of the team caring for you. You may also be offered an opportunity to participate in clinical trials and research studies that will help to improve care and treatments in the future.
What do I do when I get to the hospital?
- If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please advise your care team at your destination within the hospital. If you are a visitor who answered 'yes' to any of the illness screening questions posted at our entrances, we ask that you please return at another time. Care partners and visitors should review our Visitor Policy.
- Clean your hands (remove gloves). Please remove any gloves and clean your hands using the hand sanitizer provided.
- Put on a mask. We recommend that everyone (including patients, visitors and caregivers) mask in all clinical areas and care settings when meeting with or speaking directly to a health care worker, especially in our Emergency Departments, the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, clinical waiting rooms, and Ambulatory Clinics.* A hospital mask will be provided at the entrance. Your mask should be fully covering your nose, mouth and chin at all times. Try to avoid adjusting your mask or touching your face while you are wearing your mask. Always wash your hands both before and after putting on or taking off your mask.
- Please see patient and visitor masking guidelines for more information.
Additional Information
Weapons Detection System
At London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), the safety and wellbeing of our patients, visitors, and team members is a priority. To support a secure environment in our Emergency Departments (EDs), LHSC has introduced a weapons detection system designed to identify potential threats while maintaining a respectful and welcoming experience for all. This new system is one more way we are working to protect everyone in our hospitals.
The system will go live in the University Hospital ED on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 and the Victoria Hospital and Children’s Hospital EDs on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
How it works:
All individuals entering LHSC’s EDs are required to pass through the weapons detection system each time they enter. This includes children who will be scanned in the presence of their parent, guardian, or accompanying adult. An LHSC security guard will always be present to support patients and visitors with the process.
The system uses advanced, non-invasive technology that allows patients and visitors to walk through without stopping or removing personal items. If the system finds something that may be a threat, a trained security guard may check the person’s belongings.
Considerations and exceptions
We understand that not everyone can go through the system the same way. To ensure equitable access to care and maintain safety, LHSC has established several accommodations:
- Individuals with medical considerations (e.g., pacemakers or mobility-related needs) may be screened with a handheld metal detector instead of walking through the system.
- Patients arriving via ambulance do not go through the main screening system but may be screened by a handheld metal detector if there is reasonable concern about a weapon or prohibited item.
- Urgent or emergent care needs will always take priority. If immediate treatment is required and screening would delay care, patients may bypass the system with a one-to-one security escort until screening can be completed.
- Sacred, spiritual, ceremonial or religious items (such as head coverings, a kara or kirpan, traditional medicines or sacred items) will be treated with respect. Individuals may request private screening, indicate if an item should not be touched, or request a security screener of a specific gender. These accommodations are made in collaboration with the individual.
- Refusals to walk through the system will be accommodated through handheld screening or other protective measures. Patients who refuse all screening methods may still receive care with continuous security accompaniment.
If you require accommodation, please speak to the LHSC security guard at the entrance to the ED before entering.
Respectful and professional approach: Searches are carried out by trained security staff who are committed to acting with courtesy, professionalism, and respect.
Clear signage and communication: Signage is in place at all Emergency Department entrances to inform the public of the weapons detection system. This signage meets all provincial and federal requirements and helps ensure that everyone entering is aware of the screening process.
Contact:
If you have any questions about the screening process, please contact LHSC’s Security team by calling 519-685-8500 ext. 52281.
Hand Hygiene
Visitors are very important to our patients and their well-being. You have a critical role in preventing infections. Please review our hand hygiene information and follow the guidelines provided to help reduce the spread of germs!
Cellular Phones, Mobile Phones, Transmitting Devices and Wireless Internet
For information about the use of cellular phones, mobile phones, transmitting devices and wireless internet (WiFi) at LHSC, visit the "Using your personal device at LHSC' web page.
Patient E-Card
If you have a family member or friend in one of our hospitals, you are invited to send a personalized message with our free E-card service.
