Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre

Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre is expanding with a new renal dialysis unit and larger emergency department. During construction, please use caution, follow posted signage, and allow extra time for parking. Patients who can be dropped off for appointments are encouraged to do so.

All hospital services, including the emergency department, remain fully accessible.

🚧 Notice to patients and visitors of Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre:

  • Construction crews are preparing for the demolition of the hospital’s old ambulance bay, and enlarging the construction area needed to build the new and expanded emergency department.
  • The demolition activities will cause vibrations and noise next to and outside the emergency department.
  • This work will begin in early November and last several weeks.
  • Send questions or feedback to NZRedevelopment@nshealth.ca.
News Release: New Emergency Department, Dialysis Unit for Cumberland County Hos…

NEW Renal Dialysis Department

A single-storey addition attached to the hospital’s north side, to the left of the main entrance. It will have:

  • 12 treatment stations for patients to receive dialysis treatment
  • Waiting area
  • Care team station
  • Meeting space
  • Direct entrance with a designated covered drop off
  • Accessible parking spots in front
Cumberland Regional Healthcare Centre redevelopment rendering 02

Rendering of new Renal Dialysis Department.

Note: These images provide an example of the planned layout and design, though some details may change as the project develops.

EXPANDED Emergency Department

Will be an extension of the current emergency department. It will have:

  • Twice the space of the current emergency department with 27 care spaces (24 private)
  • Larger waiting area
  • Two triage rooms
  • Exam/observation area, treatment area
  • Dedicated areas for urgent care and emergency care
  • Virtual care exam rooms
  • Expanded mental health care area
  • Direct entrance with a designated covered drop off
  • New ambulance bay for four vehicles
Cumberland Regional Healthcare Centre redevelopment rendering 01

Rendering of expanded Emergency Department.

Note: These images provide an example of the planned layout and design, though some details may change as the project develops.

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NEW Power Plant

Will be located on the north side of the hospital, next to the existing electrical room. It will have:

  • New generators to support the existing building load, new renal
    dialysis department and expanded emergency department
  • Updated electrical systems

Project Status (What’s taken place so far)

  • Hospital an active construction site with contractor office trailers, construction fencing and signs installed, construction crews and heavy equipment on site
  • Relocation of Cumberland Health Care Foundation’s memorial garden
  • Relocation of natural gas line
  • Relocation of TMR radio antenna
  • Geothermal wells drilled
  • New staff parking lots added off MacDonald Road
  • New parking area created in front of main entrance, with accessible parking and physician on call spots
  • Preliminary civil works for the new Renal Dialysis Department and Emergency Departments are well underway
  • Construction and opening of the Temporary Ambulance Bay
     
An image of 3 people standing outside with winter jackets on and there is snow on the ground. They are taking the picture in front of a sign that indicates a new hospital project underway.

On Jan. 9, 2026, Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister and Antigonish MLA Michelle Thompson, joined Terri-Lynn Smith, CRHCC Site Lead and Director of Operations & Redevelopment, and Dr. Josée McBeath, Medical Site Lead, to unveil the project sign for the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre redevelopment project.

 

The hospital’s memorial garden was carefully relocated to make way for construction of the new renal dialysis department. Working with care and respect, crews from Fundy Landscaping Services moved mature trees, lilacs and other plants to a temporary location near the hospital’s driveway entrance. The original paving stones were also preserved and stored for future use. The relocated plants will remain in their temporary space until a new permanent memorial garden is created at the end of construction.

Project Status

A large area of construction, there are vehicles in the parking lot.

Renal Dialysis Department & Geothermal Area.
Image of the outside of a healthcare facility with an ambulance driving up to the facility.

Temporary Ambulance Bay.
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What's next

Renal Dialysis Department

  • Complete installation of underground electrical and plumbing
  • Prepare area for concrete base and installation of modular walls

Emergency Department

  • Prepare for demolition of the old ambulance bay and take over area required for construction of the Emergency Department

Parking

  • Open new parking area below the main entrance
  • Install light standards in MacDonald Road parking lots
     
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Image of a healthcare worker wearing glasses and holding a clipboard in her hand. Text reads "A new renal dialysis unit and expanded emergency department will allow us to better serve more patients closer to home. Dr. Josée McBeath Physician and Medical Site Lead." The government of Nova Scotia logo is in the bottom right corner.
Image of a healthcare worker smiling, wearing scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck. Text reads "A larger and modern emergency department will provide better care to patients, reduce wait times, and help us attract more healthcare professionals. Dr. Brittney MacDougall Emergency Medicine Physician." The government of Nova Scotia logo in the bottom right corner.
Image of a healthcare worker with a white scrub top on and glasses. Text reads "Dialysis is a life sustaining treatment and a new unit will greatly benefit patients of Cumberland County. Gina Stevens, LPN Renal Dialysis Unit." Government of Nova Scotia logo in the bottom right corner.
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For your safety and the safety of others please remember to:
  • Slow down and drive carefully, watch for construction crews and heavy equipment
  • Follow all posted construction signs
  • Respect fencing and barriers around construction areas
  • Keep vehicle windows closed
  • Patients should plan extra time to find parking
  • Patients who can be dropped off for appointments are encouraged to do so

Questions or Feedback?

NZRedevelopment@nshealth.ca

Or contact Patient Relations, 1-844-884-4177 toll-free anywhere in Nova Scotia, or send an email to NZpatientrelations@nshealth.ca for Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties, and the Municipality of East Hants.

Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre
19428 Highway 2, Amherst, NS  B4H 3Y4