**** NSHA Media Release
Emergency departments experiencing high number of patient visits
Emergency departments throughout Nova Scotia continue to see high patient volumes over the holidays, resulting in longer waits than usual for care.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please do not hesitate to visit your nearest emergency department. Emergency departments at regional hospitals and the QEII Health Sciences Centre are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Some smaller sites experience periodic closures. Any such closures are noted here: https://www.nshealth.ca/temporaryclosures
The overall emergency system is never closed. This is due to access to Emergency Health Services (for example, 911), telemedicine, and transfers to other facilities across the province.
- Anyone with urgent medical needs should call 911.
- If your health concern is not urgent, we request you contact a family doctor or go to a walk-in clinic.
- For general health advice and information call 811, a service offered 24/7 by experienced registered nurses.
- The Mental Health Crisis Line can also be reached 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167.
Nova Scotia Health apologizes for the increased wait times in its emergency departments. We are aware of too many situations where our staff and physicians have been subjected to abusive behaviour and language, including personal threats. This is not acceptable.
Please be kind and know that our teams are here to help.
