Built for the South Shore: Dr. Gregory McNally on the future of the hospital’s new emergency department

When Dr. Gregory McNally arrived on the South Shore in 1991, he intended to stay for one year.

More than three decades later, he continues to practice in the emergency department at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, and is now preparing to move into a new, purpose-built space as part of the hospital’s redevelopment.

“We’ve outgrown our space in a big way,” he said. “So, when we learned that this project was going to really take flight, it was pretty exciting.

“Emergency medicine has changed significantly over the past three decades, with more investigation, procedures and specialist consultation happening in the emergency department than ever before,” McNally shared. “Almost everybody admitted to the hospital now comes through the emergency department. The way we practise emergency medicine now is very different from when the building was first designed.”

The new emergency department is more than 13,000 square feet and is designed to support modern models of care and the needs of a growing population. “This space reflects the volume and complexity of care we’re providing,” he said. “It will give us the room and functionality to do our work well.”

From a patient perspective, the changes will be immediately noticeable. Most care spaces will be individual rooms, offering a more comfortable environment for patients and families.

“There’s going to be more privacy and confidentiality,” he said. “Families can be present in a way that feels appropriate and supportive.”

The new department also includes a new four-bay, fully covered ambulance garage, providing a protected space for patient arrivals in all weather conditions, an important feature in Nova Scotia’s climate.

“These are the kinds of changes that will make a difference in a patient’s experience,” McNally said. “They’re practical, and they matter.”

The design of the new emergency department also enhances collaboration among healthcare teams. Each room will have the technology needed to support electronic documentation and real-time access to patient information.

“If you don’t have access to the systems you need, it slows things down,” he said. “Having that built into the space will support more efficient care.”

The redevelopment extends beyond emergency services, with new and expanded spaces for MRI, dialysis, endoscopy and day surgery. Together, these upgrades strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide high-quality care close to home.  

“It’s not just the emergency department,” McNally shared. “All of these changes will work together to better-serve the region.”

He also points to the role of the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore and a supportive community in helping bring the redevelopment project to life. The foundation initially committed to raising $5.6-million toward the project and ultimately surpassed that goal, contributing more than $10-million to support new equipment and expanded services.

“The community saw the need and got behind it in a huge way,” he said. “That support made a tremendous difference.”

For McNally, the new emergency department represents more than additional square footage. It reflects a growing region, evolving care and a shared commitment to strengthening health services on the South Shore.

“It’s going to serve this community well,” he said. “And that’s what matters most.” 

Photo of Dr. Gregory McNally.