Long weekend may delay emergency services, warns NS Health

Public Health reminds Haligonians that QEII Health Sciences Centre as well as regional hospitals are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

CITYnews halifax \ Steve Gow

Public Health is anticipating longer than usual waits for care in emergency departments over the long weekend.

Nova Scotia Health issued the warning today as all four provincial health zones continue to face significant patient capacity and staffing challenges entering the long weekend.

They say patients should be prepared for longer than usual wait times at ERs along with admission from emergency departments into hospital beds.

As well, the news release reads, “a timely transfer of care at facilities across Nova Scotia by EHS crews may not always be possible”, which could lead to delays in ambulance offloads.

Public Health reminds Haligonians that those experiencing an emergency should not hesitate to visit the nearest ER and that emergency departments at the QEII Health Sciences Centre as well as regional hospitals are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nova Scotia Health insists that anyone with urgent medical needs should still call 911.