Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, Nova Scotia is the regional trauma and tertiary care referral centre for all of Cape Breton Island, offering one of the most comprehensive emergency departments in Atlantic Canada. The 24/7 emergency department features 36 dedicated beds and on-site access to CT scanning, X-ray, and ultrasound without patients ever needing to leave the department. Patients with serious or complex conditions — including cardiac emergencies, trauma, cancer care, and mental health crises — are well served here, as the hospital houses the second-largest ICU in Nova Scotia.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department (36 ER beds), Trauma and tertiary care, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) — second largest in Nova Scotia, Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU), Heart Function Clinic, Cape Breton Cancer Centre, Mental health and addictions inpatient unit (52 beds), Surgical services including orthopedic surgery, Maternal and Newborn Services, Palliative care (9 beds), CT scan, MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound, Echocardiogram and bone density scanning, Blood collection services, Diabetes services, Chronic pain services, COPD outreach program, EHS LifeFlight helipad access.
Amenities
Cafeteria (on site — contact hospital for current hours)
Two ATMs — one near the main entrance, one outside the cafeteria
Emergency patients at Cape Breton Regional can access CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasound directly from within the ER — no need to be transferred to another area of the hospital, which can speed up your care.
Mental health crisis support is available 24/7 by phone at 902-429-8167 or toll-free 1-888-429-8167 — calling first may save you a trip to the ER for a mental health concern.
Check the Nova Scotia Health website for online ED wait time estimates before leaving home, so you can plan your visit more effectively.
Bring $3 in cash or coins for parking, and note that the front entrance drop-off area has a strict 20-minute limit — arrange for your driver to use the main parking lots if they plan to wait.
The hospital is a teaching facility affiliated with Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine, so you may be seen by supervised medical residents or students as part of your care team.
What to Bring
Provincial health card (Nova Scotia Health Card / CCP card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications including dosages
List of known allergies
Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
OHIP or out-of-province insurance details if applicable
Phone charger or a book — waits can vary
A support person if possible, especially for complex or serious concerns
Parking
Parking lots are available at the front, back, and side of the hospital, as well as a newer lot along Hospital Boulevard. The fee is $3 per visit. A patient pick-up and drop-off area is located at the front entrance, with a 20-minute limit to keep access clear. Accessible and wheelchair-accessible parking spaces are available on site.
Getting There
Cape Breton Regional Hospital on George Street is served by Transit Cape Breton (CBRM Transit). Use the Transit App or Google Maps to plan your trip. For current route information, call Transit Cape Breton at 902-539-8124.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Breton Regional Hospital's emergency department open 24/7?
Yes, the emergency department at Cape Breton Regional Hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year, including holidays.
Does Cape Breton Regional Hospital have CT, MRI, and X-ray available in the ER?
Yes. Emergency patients have direct access to CT scanning, X-ray, and ultrasound without leaving the emergency department. MRI is also available on site for admitted patients and referrals.
Is Cape Breton Regional Hospital equipped to handle serious trauma and cardiac emergencies?
Yes. The hospital is the designated regional trauma and tertiary care centre for Cape Breton Island. It has the second-largest ICU in Nova Scotia and a Coronary Care Unit.
What mental health emergency services are available at Cape Breton Regional Hospital?
The hospital has 52 dedicated mental health and addictions inpatient beds. If you are in a mental health crisis, you can also call the 24/7 crisis line at 902-429-8167 or toll-free at 1-888-429-8167 before visiting the ER.
How much does parking cost at Cape Breton Regional Hospital?
Parking is $3 per visit. Lots are available at the front, back, and side of the building, as well as along Hospital Boulevard. A 20-minute drop-off zone is available at the main entrance. Accessible parking spaces are on site.
Is Cape Breton Regional Hospital a teaching hospital?
Yes. Cape Breton Regional Hospital is an affiliated teaching site for the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Patients may be cared for by supervised medical residents or students as part of their treatment team.
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. Actual wait times may vary.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 41 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Something wrong on this page?
Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.