Residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality may also access emergency care at other Nova Scotia Health facilities in the Halifax area, including the QEII Health Sciences Centre, which handles higher-level trauma and complex specialty cases.
Dartmouth General Hospital is a 24/7 acute care emergency department located at 325 Pleasant Street in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, serving approximately 120,000 residents of Dartmouth and the eastern Halifax Regional Municipality. The ED operates 14 beds and sees roughly 40,000 patients per year, treating both adult and pediatric patients across medical, surgical, and critical care needs. For complex trauma cases, patients may be transferred to the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, and the department is a Dalhousie University affiliated training site for emergency medicine.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department (adult and pediatric)Inpatient medical and surgical unitsCritical careDiagnostic imagingRenal dialysis clinicDay surgery (Neville J. Gilfoy Wing)Outpatient specialty clinicsBlood collection (by appointment)Early Mobility Program for patients 65+Frailty and Elder Care assessment (Clinical Frailty Scale)Sterile prep and operating rooms (8 ORs)
Amenities
Gift shop (Mon–Fri 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sat–Sun 1:30–4:00 p.m.) with snacks and prepared sandwiches
Vending machines outside the cafeteria
ATM in the main lobby
Place of Prayer and Meditation (Room 2008, open 24/7)
Blood collection services (by appointment; call 902-473-2074 or 1-833-942-2298)
Bedside telephone service (activatable on request)
Bedside TV (free for patients in private/semi-private rooms covered by insurance)
Parking & Transit
Paid parking is available on-site at 325 Pleasant Street, managed by Indigo (Lot #H018). Patients and visitors can obtain a validation ticket to exit gated lots without paying — available from the parking office in the main lobby, or from security in the Emergency Department between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Disability parking spaces are on site. Free parking does not apply to metered street parking around the hospital. For parking questions, contact NSHealthParking@nshealth.ca.
Halifax Transit bus lines 6A, 6B, and 6C stop near Dartmouth General Hospital. The closest stops (Acadia St After Pleasant St and Pleasant St After Acadia St) are approximately a 4-minute walk from the hospital. The Alderney Ferry Terminal, connecting Dartmouth to downtown Halifax, is approximately an 18-minute walk away.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No specific historical wait-time data is available for this location. Generally, weekday mornings (Tuesday through Thursday, 8–10 a.m.) tend to be among the quieter periods at community hospital EDs. For non-life-threatening concerns, consider whether a walk-in clinic or your primary care provider may be an appropriate alternative.
🔴 Busier times
Emergency departments across Canada typically see peak volumes on Monday mornings (post-weekend backlog), Friday and Saturday evenings, and during provincial holidays. With approximately 40,000 visits per year, Dartmouth General can be busy during these windows. If your condition is not a life-threatening emergency, avoiding these peak periods may reduce your wait.
Tips Before You Go
Obtain a parking validation ticket from the main lobby parking office or from ED security (7 a.m.–8 p.m.) to exit gated lots at no charge.
If you are 65 or older and admitted, ask about the Early Mobility Program — it helps patients maintain strength and mobility during their hospital stay.
Blood collection at Dartmouth General requires an appointment; book online or call 902-473-2074 before arriving.
The Place of Prayer and Meditation (Room 2008) is open around the clock if you or a family member needs a quiet space during a stressful visit.
If you have private health insurance, provide your coverage details as early as possible to improve your chances of being placed in a private or semi-private room.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Nova Scotia health card)
List of current medications and dosages
Private health insurance information (for room preference requests)
Any relevant medical records or recent test results
Emergency contact information
Change of clothes and personal hygiene items if admission is possible
Snacks and water for potentially long wait times
Phone charger or portable battery pack
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dartmouth General Hospital's ER treat children?
Yes. The Dartmouth General ED treats both adult and pediatric patients. Approximately 20% of its roughly 40,000 annual visits are pediatric. For the most complex pediatric emergencies, transfer to a higher-level centre such as the IWK Health Centre in Halifax may be arranged.
Is Dartmouth General Hospital a trauma centre?
Dartmouth General is an acute care community hospital with a 24/7 emergency department, but it does not hold a formal trauma centre designation. Patients with complex or major trauma may be transferred to the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.
How do I get free parking when visiting the Dartmouth General ER?
Patients and visitors can pick up a validation ticket to exit the gated parking lots at no charge. During the day, tickets are available from the parking office in the main lobby. Between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., security staff in the Emergency Department can also provide them.
Can I get blood work done at Dartmouth General without going to the ER?
Yes. Dartmouth General Hospital offers blood collection services, but an appointment is required. You can book online or by calling 902-473-2074 or toll-free 1-833-942-2298, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (excluding holidays).
How do I get to Dartmouth General by public transit?
Halifax Transit bus routes 6A, 6B, and 6C stop near the hospital, with the closest stops about a 4-minute walk away. You can also take the Alderney Ferry from downtown Halifax and walk approximately 18 minutes to the hospital at 325 Pleasant Street.
What is the Neville J. Gilfoy Wing at Dartmouth General?
The Neville J. Gilfoy Wing is a major expansion that opened in December 2019. It added eight new operating rooms (replacing the original six), a new day surgery department, new outpatient clinics, and a sterile prep department, significantly expanding the hospital's surgical capacity.
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.