Public Service Announcement: Update on services in Nova Scotia Health's Eastern Zone

Nova Scotia Health is advising that some non-emergency services are resuming in Eastern Zone (Cape Breton Island, Antigonish and Guysborough counties) following the recent winter storm.

As storm clean-up continues, people are reminded not to travel to a scheduled care appointment if it is unsafe for them to travel and to consider rebooking any non-urgent appointments. 

Here is the updated service status for the remainder of this week: 

Emergency departments: Emergency departments are open unless there is a temporary closure scheduled at the site. Visit https://www.nshealth.ca/emergency-care for the most up-to-date closures.

Urgent treatment centres (UTC): UTCs in North Sydney and Baddeck are open as scheduled. 

Perioperative (surgical) services: Elective surgical procedures and endoscopies will resume as scheduled. Patients are reminded to travel only if it is safe for them to do so.

Lab: Outpatient lab (blood collections) appointments will resume at sites in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM).

Ambulatory care: Ambulatory care clinics at sites in CBRM will resume as scheduled. Patients are reminded to travel only if it is safe for them to do so.

Mental Health and Addictions: Emergency crisis urgent care and inpatient services continue to be provided. Community Mental Health and Addictions (Adult and Child) will continue to provide both virtual and in-person care as required. Clients are asked to phone ahead before attending their in-person outpatient clinic appointment. Clients are also being contacted directly about their appointment.

Primary care: As community clinics in CBRM are able to open, in-person appointments will be offered. Patients will be contacted about their appointment Primary care in Antigonish and rural clinics will resume as scheduled. 

Rehabilitation Services: Outpatient clinics for Rehabilitation Services in CBRM, including Heart Lung Wellness Centre, Hip and Knee Clinic, and Obesity Care Clinic will see urgent cases only. Outpatient rehab clinics/services at all other sites will resume as scheduled. Adult day programs through long-term care will be open. Clients are reminded to travel only if it is safe for them to do so.

All other clinics, services, and programs at sites in Eastern Zone are operating as scheduled. Efforts continue to be made to contact patients and clients directly to reschedule their appointments or procedures that were cancelled due to the weather.