FOR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS: Learn what to expect if you are visiting the Emergency Departments

FOR PATIENTS AND VISITORS: You must self-screen and wear a mask if entering the Emergency Department, waiting areas, patient rooms or other patient care areas. All Unity Health Toronto spaces are mask-friendly. Learn more about our current guidelines for visitors.

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Virtual Care

Many of our clinics have been seeing patients regularly using virtual care or telephone appointments and that will continue into the coming months. This is a safe and private way for patients to connect with health-care providers that reduces the need for travel to and within the hospital. Unity Health has taken various precautions in order to ensure that virtual care protects patient privacy including:

  • Offering telephone appointments which require minimal use of technology.
  • Reserving email for administrative tasks such as booking appointments – no personal health information is shared via email without prior consent.
  • Use of a Unity Health Zoom Healthcare account by clinicians which has additional privacy and security functions.
  • Requiring informed patient consent before conducting video appointments (Zoom or OTN).

If you would like to see your health-care provider via video conference rather than a telephone appointment, here is some helpful information and tips on how to get ready for your virtual appointment. To book a virtual visit with an inpatient, visit our COVID-19 page.

Before having a virtual appointment, you will be asked to consent to communication through email and video visits. The following consent documents outline what you need to know about this:

Our hospitals are using Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) and Zoom to conduct video visits with patients. Below you will find guides to help you get ready for your visit:

More tips on preparing for your virtual appointment:

  • Ensure your device (computer, phone or tablet) is on and ready to use. You may also want to have your telephone nearby in case there are technical difficulties and you need to switch to a phone call.
  • Test your device before your appointment to make sure the sound and video are working.
  • Find a quiet spot and/or use headphones so you and your health-care provider can hear each other clearly. Ensure any potential distractions, such family members, friends, roommates and television noise or music are minimized.
  • Find a well-lit spot so your health-care provider can see your face. Set up a light source in front of you or face a window with natural light, and try not to have the light behind you.
  • Gather any relevant supplies and documents such as your health card, a piece of paper and a pen, and information like your medical history, current medications, any recent or current symptoms and questions you would like to ask.

Unity Health has taken various precautions in order to ensure that virtual care protects patient privacy. Safety precautions include:

  • Offering telephone appointments which require minimal use of technology.
  • Reserving email for administrative tasks such as booking appointments – no personal health information is shared via email without prior consent.
  • Use of a Unity Health Zoom Healthcare account by clinicians which has additional privacy and security functions.
  • Requiring informed patient consent before conducting video appointments (Zoom or OTN).

Last updated April 20, 2021