Buchanan Memorial Community Health Centre

Neils Harbour, NS · Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

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Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait
Unknown Unknown
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 Neils Harbour

Last updated: recently · View all Nova Scotia hospitals →

Nearby Alternatives

For trauma care, complex surgical needs, or services not available locally, Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney serves as the regional referral centre for Cape Breton Island.

Cape Breton Regional Hospital

Sydney · 78 km away

7h 15m

Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital

Inverness · 99 km away

1h 30m

St. Martha's Regional Hospital

Antigonish · 183 km away

1h 45m

About Buchanan Memorial

Buchanan Memorial Community Health Centre is a 24/7 acute care facility located on the Cabot Trail in Neils Harbour, Nova Scotia, serving the remote northern Cape Breton communities of Neil's Harbour, Dingwall, Bay St. Lawrence, Meat Cove, Ingonish, and surrounding areas north of Cape Smokey. The facility provides emergency care, a 10-bed inpatient unit, and a broad range of outpatient and specialist services for a rural population of approximately 4,200 residents. As a small community health centre, it handles emergency and primary care needs locally, with complex or specialized cases referred to Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department 10-bed inpatient unit Laboratory / blood collection services X-ray imaging EKG (electrocardiogram) Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy (mental health and physical medicine) Chemotherapy preparation room Biweekly diabetic clinics Biweekly cardiac clinics Monthly cardiology specialist visits Monthly internal medicine specialist visits Monthly orthopedic specialist visits RN Pap Clinic Monthly foot clinics Male Wellness Clinics Palliative care services Pediatric services Public Health Home Care Nova Scotia Addiction Services Mental health and addictions support Dietitian services Social Worker Palliative Care Coordinator

Amenities

Parking & Transit

Free parking is available at the front and side of the building. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.

No public transit routes serve this facility. Buchanan Memorial is located in a rural area on the Cabot Trail in northern Cape Breton; personal vehicle or taxi is recommended. An Emergency Health Services (EHS) ambulance base is located directly next door.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

As a small rural facility, this ER typically sees lighter volumes than urban hospitals. Weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be less busy for lower-acuity concerns. However, always seek emergency care immediately if your condition is serious — do not wait.

🔴 Busier times

Weekend evenings and holidays may see higher relative demand given the limited number of nearby alternatives for northern Cape Breton communities. If your concern is non-urgent, weekday daytime hours may offer shorter waits.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

What communities does Buchanan Memorial Community Health Centre serve?
Buchanan Memorial primarily serves the communities north of Cape Smokey on Cape Breton Island, including Neil's Harbour, Dingwall, Bay St. Lawrence, Meat Cove, Ingonish, and surrounding rural areas — a population of approximately 4,200 residents.
Is Buchanan Memorial a trauma centre or regional hospital?
No. Buchanan Memorial is a small community health centre providing emergency and primary care. It is not a trauma centre or regional referral centre. Complex trauma and specialized cases are referred to Cape Breton Regional Hospital, which serves as the regional referral and trauma centre for Cape Breton Island.
Does Buchanan Memorial offer specialist services or is it emergency-only?
In addition to its 24/7 Emergency Department, Buchanan Memorial offers a wide range of services including monthly visits from cardiologists, internists, and orthopedic specialists, biweekly diabetic and cardiac clinics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, X-ray, EKG, a dietitian, and mental health and addictions support, among others.
Is there parking available at Buchanan Memorial?
Yes. Free parking is available at the front and side of the building, and the facility is fully wheelchair accessible.
How do I access mental health or addiction services at this facility?
Mental health and addictions support is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Tuesday hours extended until 8 p.m. Voicemail coverage is available during evenings, weekends, and holidays. These services are located in the Community Services wing of the health centre.
What is the history of Buchanan Memorial Community Health Centre?
The facility has roots going back to 1943, when the Buchanan family made their home available for use as a hospital during winter months. The Red Cross took over operations in 1945 and opened it year-round. A purpose-built new facility opened in June 1999 at its current location on the Cabot Trail in Neils Harbour.

About ER Wait Times

Emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.

Wait times are estimates based on Nova Scotia health data using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

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