Media relations

All media inquiries, including requests for interviews with patients, parents, staff, physicians, volunteers and for visuals (interior or exterior) of the hospital must first be directed to the Communications service. 

To speak with a communications officer from the Montreal Children’s Hospital:

Team

Media guidelines

The Montreal Children’s Hopital (MCH) of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) adheres to privacy laws and has specific guidelines for media interactions:

1. Media must notify MCH Communications in advance before interviewing patients, staff, or physicians.
2. Media representatives must be accompanied by an MCH Communications Officer or hospital delegate during their visit. Unaccompanied journalists will be removed.
3. Permission from MCH Communications is required for interviews on hospital grounds, even if family members have given their consent.
4. All images (televisual or photographic) must be taken with the prior written consent of the patient’s parents.
5. The MUHC may refuse media interviews for medical or other reasons.
6. Camera use must not invade the privacy of other patients or capture personal information.
7. While the MCH tries to provide expert opinions, availability may vary. Staff and physicians can decline media requests.
8. Reporters are asked to use official MCH titles for staff and refer to the institution fully as Montreal Children’s Hospital in their first mention.
9. The MCH will only confirm a patient’s presence with consent from the patient or next-of-kin.
10. Updates on a patient’s state of health will only be provided in special circumstances with consent, and no specific details will be disclosed.
11. The MCH prioritizes providing compassionate, quality care to patients and their families.