Inpatient Services and Amenities

For assistance accessing any of these patient services please work with your unit team.

Computer Room

Patients are welcome to use the computers in the computer room, but must have signed consent before logging on.  For specific information, computer room hours and access, patients should speak to a member of their treatment team.

Film and Fashion Boutique

The Film and Fashion Boutique is run by staff and patients in partnership with Vocational Services. This unique partnership provides opportunities for vocational skill development during recovery.

The Film and Fashion Boutique is open Monday through Friday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Clothing items in the shop are 25 cents a piece with a limit of three pieces of clothing.

Patient volunteers are always available and eager to provide assistance to patients if required. If patients require clothing when the shop is closed they may contact Volunteer Services for service.

Clothing donations may be dropped off at the Volunteer Services Office during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., or at the Community Drop Off bin located at the loading dock behind Building 8.

Finances

The Business Office (also referred to as the Cashier, or Patient Accounts office) is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 12:00pm and 1:00p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for patients to deposit and withdraw their money.  The Business Office is closed weekends and statutory holidays. There is an ATM available in the Main Lobby of the hospital where patients may also withdraw funds. 
A team member will assist you in obtaining any deposited valuables. 

Food and Beverage / Daily Meals

Patients are served three meals per day plus snacks, which are provided on the unit. Patient meals are typically at the following times: Breakfast at 9:00am; Lunch at 12:15 and Dinner at 5:00pm. Menus are available to complete. Please ask a team member for assistance.

Please let staff know of any food/drink that you are bringing onto the unit for your relative. We ask that you not bring food/drink for anyone other than your relative due to potential allergies and/or diet restrictions. 

Lakeview Marketplace offers a made-to-order deli sandwich bar, made to order grill, home-style comfort foods, salads, fresh baked pastries and coffee options.

Gift Shop

The Ontario Shores Gift Shop is operated by Volunteer Services, and patients can purchase items such as gifts, cards, stamps, personal care items and snacks.

The Gift Shop also provides vocational training and work placements for patients at Ontario Shores. Details and Hours of Operation [link]

Hairdressing Services

The Ontario Shores Hair Salon provides hairdressing services to patients free of charge.  The hairdresser visits the unit every few weeks, and appointments can be made through staff to attend the hairdressing salon. Open Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - closed Wednesdays. 

Interpretation Services

Ontario Shores partners with Multilingual Community Interpreter Services (MCIS) to provide access to certified language interpreters who converse in 300 languages.

Interpreter services can be accessed via telephone, video conference or face-to-face (in person).

Laundry Services

Laundry service is supplied by an outside contractor to the hospital. All clothing must be labeled with the patient’s name and unit. Relatives may also do laundry for the patient. Please give all clothing and items brought in for patients to the team station for listing and marking.

Please note that there can be up to a few weeks delay when clothing is sent for marking and laundry. The unit maintains a supply of clothing for patients in the interim.

Library

The Library is a quiet place at Ontario Shores where patients can read or borrow books, magazines and tapes. A librarian is usually available Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Learn more about the Library

Mail

Personal mail is delivered to patients on their unit.  Patients can give their outgoing mail to a member of their treatment team. Stamps are available at the Gift Shop (main Lobby) and letter writing assistance is available upon request.

Off-site Appointments

We encourage all non-emergency offsite patient appointments to be rescheduled while the patient is admitted to Ontario Shores. We may ask that transportation for, and cost of, non-emergency offsite appointments be arranged by the patient's family.

Oral Care

The Dental Clinic provides comprehensive dental care to both inpatients and outpatients in a modern, fully equipped clinic. Referrals to external dental specialists such as oral surgeons and endodontists are also provided for individuals requiring specialized and complex dental care.

Personal Belongings

We encourage you to bring in personal clothing, hygiene products and unframed family photos. All electric items (i.e.: electric shavers, alarm clocks etc.) must be checked and approved by our maintenance department. Please ensure to give all personal items to staff for listing and inspection prior to giving them to your loved one. We suggest that valuables are not brought onto the unit. The hospital does not assume responsibility for lost/damaged items.

Personal Hygiene

Staff will provide support with personal hygiene based on clinical judgment. Showers and baths are available on the unit.

Personal Mobility Equipment

Ontario Shores has limited mobility equipment available for patients to use during their stay, . The Geriatric units (GTU, GPU, GDU) have Broda chairs, wheelchairs, a huntington chair and walkers. Patients are encouraged to bring their own personal mobility equipment with them.

Religious and Spiritual Needs

Arrangements can be made through a nurse or Social Worker to have one’s own or one of the hospital faith leaders visit with a patient. A chaplain visits the unit Friday mornings at 11:00 am for individual worship and hymn singing. Visit the Spiritual Care webpage for more information.

Recreational / Physical Activity

A variety of recreational programming is available. Please see the recreation calendar on each unit that is posted on a monthly basis.

When appropriate, we encourage patients be taken off the unit to enjoy the hospital grounds and/or for community activities. Please speak to staff to arrange for this. 

Learn more about Recreation Therapy. 

Telephone Use

Patients can be contacted directly on unit patient phones. Contact the unit team for assistance in reaching the patient by phone.

We ask that family members use personal cell phones off the unit.

Transportation

Hospital Transportation: The hospital has a transportation program which staff may use to request taxi service, loaner vehicles or a driver for patient transportation. Wheelchair accessible vehicles can also be made available.

Public Transit: Durham Region Transit stops at the main entrances to Ontario Shores frequently throughout the week and on weekends. Bus schedules are available at the Information Desk.

Parking: Ontario Shores has limited parking and if patients have a car, they must park in the designated patient parking area. Patients may leave their keys and driver’s licence in the Business Office for safe keeping. The Business Office also offers patient parking passes at a reduced rate. The patient’s doctor will advise whether or not he/she should drive while receiving treatment at Ontario Shores.

Unit Space and Privacy

Most of the patient bedrooms are single, however we have two shared rooms. Bathrooms are shared and are located in the hallways of each wing. Storage space is available in each bedroom for clothing and additional space for personal care items is available in the nursing station.  Visitors are not permitted in the bedroom wings unless authorized by the team under compassionate grounds such as when a patient is near end of life.

WiFi

The "Ontario Shores Guest" network is available to all guests, by self-registration and acceptance of the Terms of Use. Learn more about WiFi for guests.