Consent to treatment / Informed consent
Parents/guardians are the substitute decision-makers for their children. While your child is in hospital, specific investigative and treatment procedures may be necessary. You may be asked to sign a consent form for specific procedures and/or surgery. Before signing a consent form, you should have information about and understand what will be done (the purpose, expected benefits, potential complications, alternatives, and consequences of not proceeding with the recommended procedure). If you have questions regarding consent, please discuss this with our care team. The decision to accept or refuse treatment is yours.
We are happy to answer your questions. It’s okay to ask:
- Ask us to explain any medical terms or words that you do not understand
- Ask us about the risks, benefits and alternatives to any test or treatment
- Ask us about the purpose and potential side effects of any medication
- Ask us to assist you in communicating with your loved one
Financial arrangements
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, standard hospital costs are covered through Manitoba Health or other provincial health care plans. Individuals who are not covered are charged the full daily rate for a bed. If your child is admitted to hospital on an emergency basis without adequate medical insurance, financial arrangements must be made as soon as possible after your admission. For an explanation of the coverage and rates, please call Finance at 204-787-1070.
Inpatient meals
Our hospital menu meets the Canada Food Guide’s emphasis on calorie-dense foods to enhance nutritional uptake. Patients who stay with us for an extended period can customize their food selection. The menu includes ethnic and religious food preferences such as bannock, caribou, arctic char, selections of Kosher, East Indian and vegetarian choices. Talk to our care team about food allergies and intolerances.
- Breakfast: 7:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (hot meals) and until 2:15 p.m. (continental style)
- Dinner: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Room accommodations
Your child’s Manitoba Health or other provincial plan provides coverage for standard accommodation only (4 beds per room). If you wish to have more private accommodation, there is an extra charge for semi-private rooms. Your supplementary private insurance coverage, such as Manitoba Blue Cross, may cover these charges. If you do not have insurance coverage, an invoice for these charges will be sent to you. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, Visa, MasterCard, or debit card. All invoices are due upon receipt. The charges are:
- Semi-private room (2 beds in one room): $40 per day.
The hospital cannot always meet a request for a semi-private room. If your choice of room is not available when you are admitted, you will be accommodated as soon as one becomes available.
Due to the number of patients at the hospital, and the conditions of those patients, hospital staff are unable to make promises about the roommate’s gender or age, or other special considerations. At times, staff may need to move a patient from one room to another, or from one patient care unit to another.
If you have supplementary private insurance, you must have your card available and supply your group and plan numbers to the admitting clerk. If this information is not provided, you will receive an invoice.
Entertainment
Wi-Fi is available in the 24-Hour Food Court (Green Owl Zone, Level 2) 
and the Tunnel Cafe (Level 0 near 735 Notre Dame Avenue).
You are allowed to bring in multimedia devices (tablets such as iPads or eReaders, cell phones, laptops, handheld gaming consoles, headphones, chargers) to connect virtually with your loved ones.
Television rentals are available through SelectVu Patient Entertainment & Service Centre. These services are available in the General and Rehab hospitals. Phone rentals are available in the General (A, D and H wings).
• Call 204-787-7905 and a rental representative will visit your room to collect payment (cash or credit card), deliver the equipment and program the TV set to receive full cable service.
Patients can watch Global TV (channel 12) free of charge during their hospital stay. To add other channels, phone and/or internet access call 204-787-7905 .
For same-day service please make your request before 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, or before 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Each room in HSC Children’s has a television connected to CHTV, our own closed-circuit station (Channel 7) and to cable TV, free of charge. The in-hospital produced “Good Day Show” is broadcast live daily at 1 p.m. Movies and other family-friendly programming air throughout the day. Rooms also have DVD players (you can bring your own movies or borrow one from Child Life by calling 204-787-3736). Some rooms also have telephones.
