Digby General Hospital emergency department is closed at 4 a.m. Saturday morning, October 24 and will reopen Tuesday, October 27 at 8 a.m. Virtual urgent care is available onsite daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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.
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)
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
Parking
On-site parking is available at Digby General Hospital. Based on its rural community hospital setting, parking is expected to be free, but visitors should confirm directly with the hospital at 902-245-6555.
Getting There
No formal public transit routes serve Digby General Hospital. Digby is a small rural town, so patients are advised to arrange personal transportation. Contact the hospital directly at 902-245-6555 for guidance on accessible transportation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Digby General Hospital have a 24/7 emergency department?
Yes, the Emergency Department at Digby General Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It operates on 12-hour shifts with single-provider coverage, and the laboratory provides 24-hour coverage for emergency needs.
Is virtual urgent care available at Digby General Hospital?
Yes, virtual urgent care is available as an alternative for patients when the situation does not require an in-person emergency visit. This can be a practical option for residents in Digby and the surrounding area with non-life-threatening concerns.
Does Digby General Hospital offer blood collection services, and do I need an appointment?
Yes, blood collection services are available at Digby General Hospital, and appointments are required. You can book online or by calling toll-free 1-833-998-2722, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays. Note that the laboratory does provide 24-hour coverage for emergency situations.
What counties does Digby General Hospital serve?
Digby General Hospital serves patients from Digby, Shelburne, and Yarmouth Counties. The hospital's cardiovascular clinic specifically accepts referrals from all three of these areas.
Is there a mental health crisis service available through Digby General Hospital?
Yes, the Nova Scotia Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team can be reached at 902-429-8167 or toll-free at 1-888-429-8167. This phone service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is a strong first contact for mental health and addiction crises in the Digby area.
What parking and amenities are available at Digby General Hospital?
On-site parking is available at the hospital and is expected to be free based on its rural community setting. Inside, amenities include a cafeteria open weekday mornings and lunches, an ATM and change machine in the lobby, vending machines, free public Wi-Fi, a chapel, and a palliative care family room. There is no on-site pharmacy confirmed at this time.
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.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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