**** NSHA Media Release
Nova Scotia Health launches page to show predicted emergency department waits
Nova Scotia Health is launching a new information tool that will help Nova Scotians understand wait times at some of the province’s largest emergency departments.
Predicted wait times for 10 emergency departments across the province can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/edwaittimes.
These include the emergency departments at:
- QEII Health Sciences Centre (Halifax Infirmary site) in Halifax
- Dartmouth General Hospital
- South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater
- Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville
- Yarmouth Regional Hospital
- Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro
- Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst
- Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow
- St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish
- Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney
It is important to remember: Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department no matter the estimated wait time if you need immediate help. The estimated wait times are based on those at the lower end (less urgent) of the triage scale.
“Coming to an emergency department when you have a health concern can be scary and confusing,” said Dr. Jan Sommers, head of the Colchester East Hants Health Centre emergency department. “People with life-threatening and other highly time-sensitive issues are typically seen without delay but others have to wait to see a doctor or nurse.
“Publishing these predicted wait times will help people understand when they might expect to be seen after arriving at an emergency department,” Sommers said.
The predicted wait times are based on recent data. They are shown as an approximate range and are updated hourly. The page also allows users to look at forecast wait times up to 12 hours in the future.
Predicted wait times for emergency departments at other locations will be added over time.
Due to changing demands in emergency departments, these wait times are not guaranteed and may not be the time a person will need to wait once they arrive.
Please do not hesitate to visit an emergency department if you are experiencing an emergency. Anyone with urgent medical needs should call 911.
For general health advice and information call 811, a service offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by experienced registered nurses.
The provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line can also be reached 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167.
Urgent Treatment Centres provide access to care for those with unexpected, non-life-threatening health concerns. See locations and hours for urgent treatment centres at https://www.nshealth.ca/urgenttreatmentcentre.
Nova Scotians on the Need a Family Practice Registry may now access VirtualCareNS, which provides free, temporary access to primary health care. Visit virtualcarens.ca to register or request a virtual visit. Please note VirtualCareNS is not an emergency service.
People with non-emergency concerns may also be able to visit a mobile primary care clinic in their community. See the schedule at https://www.nshealth.ca/mobileprimarycare.
You can learn more about where to go for health care at https://www.nshealth.ca/wheretogoforhealthcare.
