We offer a variety of services and supports to ensure our patients and family members have everything they need during their stay at one of our facilities. Scroll down to find more information about things like our Ethics and Human Rights services, ordering TV service in patient rooms, accessing your medical information online with Epic MyChart, support for Indigenous patients and families, and more.
Ethics Resources and Services
Ethics is part of life. Ethics is about reflecting on our values and how they impact our decisions. Our values inform how we care for others.
At Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) we strive to live our values by:
- treating people fairly
- removing barriers to accessing health services
- respecting patients’ privacy
- supporting informed decision-making
- communicating effectively, and
- making sure the hospital is a safe place for all
- using our Ethics Framework policy to guide difficult decisions
Patients, families and healthcare teams make ethical decisions on a daily basis. But sometimes the right choice isn’t clear.
You may be facing an ethical issue if:
- You are feeling stuck or confused about the right thing to do.
- You feel caught between different values or goals.
- You are worried about possible harms or risks.
When you have a question or concern, the first step is to speak with your health care team. However, if you need further help with an ethical issue, please contact the appropriate service described below.
- Are you concerned about how to make the right care decisions for yourself for your loved one? Do you feel caught between different opinions about which treatment plan is best? If yes, read more about our Ethics Consultation Service. This service helps patients, families and healthcare teams work through complex decisions and conflicts regarding patient care. The Ethics Consultation Service offers a neutral place to enable people to reflect on the situation, the options, their values, and consider what is best for the patient.
- Do you have a compliment, concern or question about your care? Do you want to share feedback on ways to improve patient safety or the patient/family experience at HHS? If yes, please contact our Office of Patient Experience. This team works with patients and families to promote an excellent hospital experience.
- Does your question involve access to or use of your personal health information?The Privacy and Freedom of Information Office team can assist if you would like to restrict access to your personal health information, or you suspect someone has accessed your personal health information inappropriately. Our Privacy team oversees access to and protection of personal health information, as well as access to HHS’ business and other records.
- Does your question involve concerns about research?The Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board can help if you have questions or concerns about a study but want to talk to someone who is not directly involved, or you have questions about your rights as a research participant. This service ensures the safety of research study participants.
If you aren’t sure which service is appropriate for your question or concern email officeofethics@hhsc.ca.
Hamilton Health Sciences is also home to the Regional Ethics Network, providing ethics services in partnership with hospitals and community service agencies across our region.
Additional Ethics Resources:
HHS Ethics Resources for Patients and Families Brochure
Family Rooms & Quiet Spaces
We have a variety of family rooms and quiet spaces for our patients and their families. These include outdoor green or terrace spaces which are open seasonally.
To locate a family room or quiet space at one of our hospitals or centres, please ask a member of your healthcare team, or one of our Information Desk staff located in the front lobbies.
Human Rights & Inclusion
We value and respect the richness of diversity of the communities we serve, and we are dedicated to cultivating a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment free from discrimination and oppression for everyone who enters through our doors.
The Human Rights and Inclusion team actively strives to create an equitable environment where people’s diverse identities and perspectives are valued and included. We strive to create an environment where staff feel dignified, engaged, and empowered to deliver on HHS’ mission of Best Care for All. HHS recognizes its people are best positioned to do this by increasing their skills, confidence, and capabilities through a range of human rights and inclusion training and programs, events, and projects.
Human Rights and Inclusion initiatives include:
Training and Programs
We have various training and programs offered through the Centre for People Development that are specifically designed to educate our workforce on equitable and social engagement with the diverse communities we work with and provide care for at HHS. These trainings are recommended in the following order, however they are also standalone learning modules.
Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ Positive Space Training
Increases awareness about the Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ community, reduces stigma, and builds capacity for an inclusive service and care environments for Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ patients and employees.
Unconscious Bias and Micro-Aggressions
Mini-session explains what unconscious biases and micro-aggressions are and supports attendees in identifying strategies to uncover their own unconscious biases, identifying micro-aggressions, and explaining why micro-aggressions are harmful. The program also provides attendees with micro-interventions to respond to micro-aggressions.
Intro to Anti-Racism: Contextualizing the Anti-Racism Policy at HHS
Mini-session aims to expand understanding of, and situate the Anti-Racism Policy within the socio-political context of health disparities and racial discrimination at work. Learners will also be encouraged to engage in reflections on their role in supporting anti-racism at HHS.
Ethics and Diversity Grand Rounds
To ensure HHS is on the forefront of clinical and organizational ethics, we host monthly Rounds to promote community dialogue around ethical issues in healthcare and build capacity for effective ethical decision-making.
On-demand Training
The Human Rights and Inclusion team provides on-demand training related to harassment, discrimination, and other human rights-related issues.
Annual Events
We have an organizational emphasis on events that recognize and celebrate diversity and affirm HHS’ commitment to promoting, fostering, and cultivating an inclusive and equitable work and service environment. Some of our yearly events include:
- Black History Month
- International Women’s Day
- Pride Month
Contact Us
Human Rights and Inclusion questions can be sent to inclusion@hhsc.ca. If you have a concern regarding your experience as a patient at Hamilton Health Sciences, please contact patientexperience@hhsc.ca.
Indigenous Care & Services
We are committed to providing a welcoming, culturally-sensitive experience for Indigenous patients, families and visitors.
Learn about Indigenous Care & Services at Hamilton Health Sciences.
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
Medical Assistance in Dying at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS)
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is a medical procedure that involves the administration of medications to intentionally and safely end the life of an adult patient who meets strict legal criteria. HHS has created the Assisted Dying Resource and Assessment Service (ADRAS) to support MAiD at HHS. The Assisted Dying Resource and Assessment Serviceis a team of health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others. The role of this team is to support patients/families and their healthcare teams through the MAiD process.
Who can access MAiD at HHS
Only inpatients and outpatients actively engaged with an HHS outpatient program can access MAiD through the hospital. HHS patients who wish to explore MAiD as an option should talk to a member of their healthcare team to access information about the process.
Here is an FAQ about MAiD for HHS patients.
How does a person access MAiD if they are not an HHS patient?
- A request can be made to a member of your health care team such as your family physician.
- If you do not have a family physician, information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the Ontario MAID Care Coordination Service information line at 1-866-286-4023. Their referral services are available Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm EST. Patients can self-refer to the Ontario MAID Care Coordination Service, and they may also provide direction to family members/caregivers or their primary health care provider to refer on their behalf. Their intake service is available English and French (translations for other languages can also be requested). TTY services are also available at 1-844-953-3350.
Here are links to general information about MAiD:
MyChart - Access your medical record online
A new way to see your HHS medical information is coming. Starting June 4, 2022, visit MyChart.com or download the MyChart by Epic app.
MyChart by Epic is a free, secure online tool that gives patients easy access to their HHS health record anytime, from anywhere. Patients can securely view test results, enter personal health information, and attend video visits.
Learn more about MyChart at HHS.
Pharmacy Services
At Hamilton Health Sciences, pharmacists can be involved in your care in a number of ways.
View information about pharmacy services at our hospitals and centres
Spiritual Care
We are pleased to provide chaplain and spiritual care services to any patient or their family member who require support during their time in hospital. You can find more information about these services by visiting the Spiritual Care page.
TV, Phone & Wi-Fi
TV, landline phone and Wi-Fi services are available for purchase during your hospital visit.
TV & Phone
Television and landline phone services are available through the Hospitality Network. To order phone or TV service, please contact:
- Hamilton General Hospital
905-521-2100 ext. 46520 - Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre
905-521-2100 ext. 41234 - McMaster University Medical Centre/McMaster Children’s Hospital
905-521-2100 ext. 0 - St. Peter’s Hospital
905-521-2100 ext. 12228 - West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (phone services only)
905-945-2253 ext. 0
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi internet access is available for patients and visitors to purchase at all Hamilton Health Sciences sites at the following rates:
- 4 hours – $5.95
- 24 hours – $9.95
- 3 days – $18.95
- 7 days – $28.95
- 1 month – $47.95