Patient Information - FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

The visiting hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. An adult must accompany children. However we discourage visits from infants and children because of the high-risk environment. Specific visitation may vary by department, i.e., Maternal/Newborn and Critical Care (Intensive Care Unit).

What is the address of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre?

The address is:
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 6V4

Where are we located?

The new Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is centrally located within the City of Thunder Bay. The Health Sciences Cente may be accessed either from the entrance off Golf Links Road or the entrance off Oliver Road. Ample parking is available within the site.

What is the process for admitting a patient?

A patient can be admitted in more than one way. If a patient presents through the Emergency Department, depending on their diagnosis, the physician can admit them. If a patient has a procedure already booked and they are to be hospitalized after the surgery, they will be admitted through the Admitting Department upon arrival.

Where can you get something to eat and drink?

TBRHSC offers a full cafeteria service that is located on Level 1 within the atrium. The cafeteria hours of operation are:

Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 7:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Lunch served daily: 11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Supper served daily: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

In addition, a limited selection of grill items are available from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Robin’s Donuts is located on Level 2, adjacent to Seasons Gift Shop. Its hours of operation are 6:30 am until 10:00 pm. Vending machines are located throughout the Centre including the Main Lobby and in the Emergency Department.

Do we have a water fountain?

Yes, we have two locations. There is a drinking fountain located off Main Street in the Atrium in front of the main public washrooms and also there is a drinking fountain located in the Emergency Department.

Does the bus go by the Health Sciences Centre?

Thunder Bay Transit has two service routes going through the TBRHSC site: Junot # 9 and Crosstown.

Is smoking permitted at TBRHSC?

Smoking is prohibited everywhere on the TBRHSC property.

Where is the CT Scan located? What floor?

There are two CT Scans at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The first is located in the Diagnostic Imaging (X-ray) Department. The department is located on the second floor on the west side of the building. The second is located in the radiation therapy centre on the second floor on the west side of the building. Please contact the Diagnostic Imaging department @ 684-6320 to confirm the location of your procedure.

Where is the closest motel and directions to the Health Sciences Centre?

Please contact Tourism for the City of Thunder Bay by calling the Terry Fox Visitor Centre and they will provide that information as well as a map of the City. Their number is: (807) 983-2041 or toll free 1-800-667-8386. You may also obtain accommodation information by visiting the official City of Thunder Bay website.

Are there any restrictions to visiting?

Can children visit on that floor?

There are no children allowed in the Critical Care areas (Intensive Care Unit). There are no children allowed in the Maternal/Newborn area with the exception of those who are welcoming a new baby brother or sister. When visiting their Mom, they must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times.

What preparations are necessary for outpatient procedures (i.e., day surgery procedures, x-ray procedures, and ultrasounds)?

For outpatient procedural instructions, patients should call the physician’s office that booked the testing. They will have all the instructions that are required for the testing.

Are there ATM machines at TBRHSC?

ATM machines are located next to Ambulatory Care (near Main Lobby) and at the bottom of the Grand Staircase on Level 1 next to the Cafeteria.

Can I order flowers for a patient somewhere in the Health Sciences Centre?

Yes. Seasons Gift Shop is located on Level 2, adjacent to the Grand Staircase. Phone: (807) 684-6717. Please click the following link for further information regarding the services offered at Seasons Gift Shop.

Are there any restaurants close by TBRHSC?

Yes. City arterial roads permit easy access to restaurants within minutes.

Does the Health Sciences Centre have any accommodations for out of town people that they can rent while they are coming for an appointment or that their family can rent if they are coming with them while they are in town?

Tamarack House will still be available for cancer patients, but there is no other provision for accommodation of any other type at this time. For additional information regarding Tamarack House, please call (807) 684-7799 or click here to visit them on the web.

Who do I make my cheques payable to if I want to drop off a cheque to pay my bill?

Cheques will be payable to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Cheques may also be mailed to:

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 6V4

Where do I send my donations for …(various funds that are going on)?

Donations may be sent to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

I want to visit someone in ICU and I am not immediate family, but they have no family in town – will they let me visit?

The patient would be asked if they would like to see you and depending on their condition. The Manager of Critical Care (ICU) would have to approve your visit because they do have a strict visitation policy on the unit to protect all patients in their care.

My family member is in TBRHSC and I am going to stay overnight. Where can I park without getting a ticket?

There will be ample visitor parking at the new Health Sciences Centre. Please visit the Parking page for a full description of locations and costs.

I am coming for surgery and will be in the Health Sciences Centre for four or five days. Do you have long-term parking?

Weekly and monthly parking passes are available through the Patient Billing Office during their normal business hours. Weekly passes are $28 and monthly passes are $53.

How much are TV’s, telephones, etc.

Patient Telephones

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre charges a daily rate of $3.50 for telephone service. Payment is due upon discharge. The telephones are hearing aid compatible and have a volume control button. If your telephone is not working contact your nurse who will make arrangements for a replacement or repair. Internet usage is not permitted from your patient room.

Long Distance Telephone Calls

To assist you in your long distance calls we would ask that you use our following services using your Calling Card, Credit Card, Collect & Third Party Charge Calls. Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre uses a 3rd party long distance company Conopco. Additional long distance charges will apply for 3rd party operator assisted calls.

Calls to Canada and USA: dial 9 + 0 + Area Code + Number
International Calls: dial 9 + 01 + Country Code + City Code + Number

Cell Phones
The use of cellular telephones is not permitted within the facility.

Pay Phones
Pay phones are available in the main lobby, ER, Cafeteria, and main hallways.

TTY Phones [Hearing Impaired]
TTY telephones are available at the payphones in the Main Lobby and ER waiting area.

Personal Television Rental Services

Hospitality Network, in partnership with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, is pleased to provide patients with personal bedside television rental service. A portion of the revenues generated is returned to the hospital to help fund various hospital improvements. The Hospitality Network has also launched a TV gift program within the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. This gift program allows family members or friends to call into Hospitality Network’s call centre to order and pay for the gift of TV rental service with their credit card. The patient’s TV service will be connected remotely and a Hospitality Network Customer Service Representative will deliver a gift card to the patient letting them know that TV service has been gifted to them.

Pricing Information
Basic Television: $8.50 per day (plus applicable taxes)
Premium Television (includes Basic TV): $10.10 per day (plus applicable taxes)

Activation and Payment with VISA or MasterCard
From the patient’s bedside telephone, dial extension 4436 and follow the easy instructions to activate service. The television service will be activated automatically within a few minutes after you hang up. Service will be activated Monday to Friday & Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.

Activation and Payment with Cash or Cheque, or for Long Term Stay Rentals
From the patient’s bedside telephone, dial extension 4436 and follow the easy instructions to activate service. The Hospitality Network Customer Service Representative will collect payment Monday to Friday & Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.

For Assistance or Questions
From the patient’s bedside telephone, dial extension 4436, and press 0. The Hospitality Network Customer Service Representative will visit you Monday to Friday & Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.

For additional information, please tune your patient bedside television to channel 83.

If you have ward coverage, what is the difference if I want to pay for semi-private or a private room?

Please contact the Business Office for this information. They can be reached through the switchboard at 684-6000.

What are the Emergency hours at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre?

TBRHSC is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What are the hours of all departments for the public – Lab, X-ray, CT Scan, etc.

Lab hours are: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. X-rays, ultrasounds, CT Scans and MRI’s are all booked appointments in the Diagnostic Imaging Department @ 684-6320.

Where are the public elevators located?

Public elevators are located at the Main Entrance near the "Tree of Hope" in Cancer Care and around the corner from the Grand Staircase on Level 2. Elevators are also found at the bottom of the Grand Staircase and at the east end of the Cafeteria on Level 1.

At what times are patients discharged?

Our discharge time for most patients is 11:00 a.m. Please ensure that you have all your belongings and health card, as well as aftercare instructions and prescriptions as needed.

Can patients receive/send mail or email while in TBRHSC?

Patients can receive mail daily Monday to Friday (except holidays). Items addressed to you must be clearly marked with your full name and room number:

Full Name
Room Number
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6V4

For outgoing mail, stamps can be purchased at Seasons Gift Shop, located next to the Grand Staircase on Level 2. Canada Post mailboxes are located outside the Main Entrance. TBRHSC offers a free email service where a patient may receive an email from anywhere in the world. Click here to access the TBRHSC Patient Email Service. At this time, patients are unable to send electronic replies to correspondence they receive while in the hospital.

Are pets allowed at TBRHSC

Pets are allowed within the TBRHSC guidelines. Service animals such as guide dogs are permitted.

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