Digby General Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for Digby General Hospital. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be quieter in mid-morning on weekdays. If your situation is non-urgent, arriving earlier in the day on a weekday may result in a shorter wait.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Like most emergency departments, evenings and weekends may be busier. If your condition allows, consider weekday mornings and check the Virtual Urgent Care option for non-emergency concerns.

About Digby General

Digby General Hospital has served residents of Digby, Shelburne, and Yarmouth Counties since 1924, providing 24/7 emergency care alongside a broad range of inpatient and ambulatory services. The Emergency Department operates with single-provider coverage on 12-hour shifts, supported by 24-hour laboratory and diagnostic imaging services for urgent needs. As a rural community hospital, DGH is well-suited for most urgent and emergency care needs, with complex or specialist cases referred to Yarmouth Regional Hospital when necessary.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Laboratory and Blood Collection (24-hour emergency coverage), Diagnostic Imaging — X-Ray and Ultrasound, Day Surgery, Ambulatory Care Clinic, Cardiac and Respiratory Services, Cardiovascular Clinic (stroke, TIA, and myocardial infarction follow-up), Mental Health and Addictions Services (outpatient), Diabetic Education Centre, Dietitian Services (inpatient and outpatient), Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres (adult and child), Continuing Care, Restorative Care (13-bed unit), Opioid Recovery Program, Unattached Patient Clinic, Virtual Urgent Care (available as an ED alternative).

Amenities

• Cafeteria on main level — open Monday to Friday, 9:30–10:30 a.m. and noon–1:00 p.m. (closed weekends and holidays)
• ATM (bank machine) in the hospital lobby
• Change machine in the hospital lobby
• Vending machines
• Free public Wi-Fi
• Chapel on the second level
• Palliative care family room on the second level
• Bedside phone service (connection fee and daily rate apply; dial 899 from bedside phone to set up)

Other Care Options

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

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Tips Before You Go

• The ED operates with a single provider on shift — if your condition is not immediately life-threatening, consider using the Virtual Urgent Care option to avoid a potentially longer wait.
• For mental health crises, the Nova Scotia Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team is available 24/7 at 902-429-8167 or toll-free 1-888-429-8167 — a helpful alternative to the ED for mental health emergencies.
• Blood collection appointments must be booked in advance — call toll-free 1-833-998-2722 or book online, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding holidays). Walk-ins are not accepted for this service.
• If you are visiting a patient, visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visits outside these hours should be arranged with nursing staff.
• Patients requiring complex specialist care or advanced diagnostics may be referred to Yarmouth Regional Hospital — plan for potential travel if your condition requires specialist intervention.

What to Bring

• Provincial health card (Nova Scotia MSI card)
• Private or supplemental insurance card (required if requesting a private or semi-private room)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or imaging results
• Information about special dietary needs or food allergies to share with staff on arrival
• Phone charger or portable battery (bedside phone service has a connection fee)
• Comfort items for a potentially long wait, such as a book, snacks, and a water bottle

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.

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