Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre

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About Cumberland Regional

Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre (CRHCC) is a 24/7 regional hospital serving Amherst, Cumberland County, and surrounding Nova Scotia communities. As one of Nova Scotia's nine regional hospitals, it provides a full-service emergency department alongside intensive care, surgical suites, obstetrics, cancer care, and a broad range of specialist services. Residents of the Amherst area who require emergency care, inpatient treatment, or specialty consultations are served by this facility.

Services & Specialties

24/7 emergency department, 5-bed intensive care unit (ICU), 3 operating suites — general and specialty surgery, Labour, delivery, and obstetrics & gynecology, Pediatric care ward, Diagnostic imaging, Laboratory and blood collection, Respiratory therapy, Cardiology, Endocrinology, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), Geriatrics, Internal medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Cancer care (on-site; some treatments referred to Halifax, Truro, or Moncton), Palliative care unit, Rehabilitation services, Chronic pain and ambulatory care, Community Mental Health and Addictions (outpatient), 24/7 mental health mobile crisis line, Early Mobility Program (patients 65+), Renal dialysis unit (planned, expected 2027).

Amenities

• Crema Coffee Shop (on-site)
• Treats and Treasures Gift Shoppe (on-site)
• ATM/banking machine at main entrance
• Change machines in main lobby and ER waiting area
• Spiritual space/chapel (main floor, between ICU and ER)
• Family and quiet rooms throughout the building
• Free public WiFi
• Cafeteria (on-site; hours not confirmed — verify on arrival)
• Gardens visible from all patient rooms including ICU
• Natural-light corridor throughout the building

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

Pharmacists in Nova Scotia can assess and prescribe for dozens of common conditions. See what they can treat →

Compare hospital wait times across Canada. View all wait times →

Tips Before You Go

• Check estimated ER wait times before leaving home — Nova Scotia Health posts live ED wait times at nshealth.ca so you can plan your arrival.
• The emergency department has its own dedicated entrance on the main level — look for ER signage rather than using the main hospital entrance to save time.
• If you or a family member is 65 or older, ask about the Early Mobility Program, which helps patients maintain strength during a hospital stay.
• For mental health or addiction crises, the 24/7 mobile crisis line (902-429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167) can provide immediate phone support before or instead of an ER visit.
• Some cancer treatments may be referred to the QEII Cancer Centre in Halifax, Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, or Moncton — ask your care team about what is available on-site versus referred.

What to Bring

• Nova Scotia health card (NS CCP card or provincial health card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral documents
• Provincial drug insurance or private benefits card
• Phone charger or portable battery pack for the waiting room
• Change for vending machines (change machines are available in the lobby and ER waiting area)
• Comfortable clothing and a book or entertainment for potential wait times

Parking

Parking at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre is free of charge. The facility is wheelchair accessible. The emergency department has its own dedicated entrance on the main level.

Getting There

Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre is located off Highway 104 in Upper Nappan, near Amherst. No dedicated public transit routes have been confirmed for this location. Patients travelling without a vehicle are advised to contact the Town of Amherst or NS Health directly to confirm available transportation options before their visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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. 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.