Repairs starting at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre emergency department

Work is underway to repair damage after a flood at the emergency department at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre (CRHHC) in Amherst.

The emergency department has been relocated within the hospital after a flood caused damage throughout the department and will continue to operate from the temporary space until remediation of the department is complete.

It is expected repair work and required renovations may take up to eight weeks. Renovations include replacing damaged drywall, making necessary improvements, and cleaning and preparing the space before equipment can be moved back, and the team can return to the emergency department.

During the cleanup and repairs the original emergency department entrance remains closed. People seeking emergency care during the renovation period must use the hospital main entrance.

Some ambulatory and physician clinics have been temporarily relocated within the hospital to accommodate the emergency department’s temporary location. Surgery clinics and ambulatory care procedure rooms have been relocated to the hospital’s second floor.

Volunteers and door screeners are helping direct patients and visitors to the temporary locations, and new signs have been installed to indicate where services are located.

People needing less urgent care are reminded of the Parrsboro Urgent Treatment Centre at South Cumberland Community Care Centre, All Saints Springhill Hospital’s Collaborative Emergency Centre, and the Urgent Treatment Centre at North Cumberland Memorial Hospital.

For general health advice and information call 811, which is a service offered 24/7 by experienced registered nurses. The Mental Health Crisis Line can be reached around the clock by calling 1-888-429-8167.

Nova Scotia Health’s goal is to resume normal operations quickly and safely, doing everything possible to reduce the impact on patients and the public.

Nova Scotia Health knows this is not an ideal situation and appreciate the public’s ongoing patience during this time. Patient concerns relating to the temporary service changes and interruptions are encouraged to contact the patient relations line by calling toll-free 1-844-884-4177 or by email to patientfeedback@nshealth.ca.

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