Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital emergency department in Lunenburg is open from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon) from Wednesday, September 9 to Friday, September 11 and closed all day on Saturday, September 12. Virtual Urgent Care is available daily from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. Generally, community hospital ERs tend to be quieter on weekday mornings and early afternoons. If your condition is non-urgent, mid-morning on a weekday is typically a reasonable time to visit.
Busier times: Without historical wait data specific to Fishermen's Memorial Hospital, it is difficult to pinpoint peak hours. As with most ERs, evenings, weekends, and holidays often see higher patient volumes. If possible, avoid late evenings and weekend afternoons for non-urgent concerns.
Fishermen's Memorial Hospital is a 46-bed community hospital located in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, serving the South Shore region with a 24/7 emergency department situated on the building's second level. As a community-level facility operating under Nova Scotia Health (Western Zone), it is well suited for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, general emergencies, and diagnostic services including laboratory and imaging. Patients requiring advanced trauma care, cardiac surgery, or specialized pediatric services may be referred to South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, approximately 22 km away.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Inpatient care (46 beds), Laboratory services, Diagnostic imaging, Pharmacy, Ambulatory care, Bone densitometry, Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Mental health and addictions services, Diabetes education, Veterans Unit, Recovery Support Centre, Outpatient Withdrawal Management program, Blood collection (by appointment), Virtual Urgent Care.
Amenities
Cafeteria open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (closed weekends and holidays)
Vending machines located next to the cafeteria entrance
Gift shop at the main entrance, open Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ATM and change machine on the main level near the cafeteria
Veterans' Memorial Chapel on the main level, open to the public
Free WiFi available in select areas of the building
Quiet rooms and solariums available for families and visitors
On-site pharmacy
Clinical dietitian available for patients with special dietary needs or food allergies
The emergency department is located on the second level of the hospital — follow signage from the main entrance upon arrival.
Walk-ins only: ER visits cannot be booked in advance. Blood collection, however, does require an appointment — call 902-634-8801 to schedule.
For conditions beyond the scope of this community facility, South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater (approx. 22 km) provides higher-level specialty care including more advanced diagnostic and surgical services.
If your situation is non-emergency and time permits, consider using the Virtual Urgent Care option available through Nova Scotia Health to potentially avoid an in-person ER visit.
The cafeteria is only open on weekdays until 1:30 p.m. If you anticipate a longer visit, bring snacks and drinks, or use the vending machines located near the cafeteria entrance.
What to Bring
Provincial health card (Nova Scotia MSI card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, doses, and prescribing doctors
Any relevant medical records or referral documents
Insurance information if applicable
Comfort items for a potential wait (book, phone charger, headphones)
Snacks and water, especially for evening or weekend visits when the cafeteria is closed
Emergency contact information written down or easily accessible on your phone
Parking
On-site parking is available at the hospital and the facility is wheelchair accessible. Specific parking fees are not published — contact the hospital at 902-634-8801 for current rates.
Getting There
Lunenburg does not have a dedicated public transit route to the hospital. Visitors travelling by car can reach the facility from Bridgewater in approximately 22 km. Contact the Town of Lunenburg or Nova Scotia's transit services for the most current local transportation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the emergency department located within Fishermen's Memorial Hospital?
The emergency department is on the second level of the hospital at 14 High Street, Lunenburg. Follow signage from the main entrance to reach the ED.
Does Fishermen's Memorial Hospital have a trauma centre or specialized cardiac unit?
No. Fishermen's Memorial is a community-level hospital and does not have a designated trauma centre or cardiac surgery unit. Patients requiring those higher-level services are typically referred to South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, about 22 km away.
Can I book an appointment at the emergency department in advance?
No — the emergency department is walk-in only and does not accept advance appointments. However, blood collection services at the hospital do require an appointment; call 902-634-8801 to book.
Is virtual urgent care available through Fishermen's Memorial Hospital?
Yes. Virtual Urgent Care is available as an alternative for patients whose conditions may not require an in-person emergency visit. This can be a convenient option for residents of Lunenburg and the surrounding area.
What mental health and addiction services are available at this hospital?
Fishermen's Memorial Hospital offers mental health and addictions services, an on-site Recovery Support Centre providing education, harm reduction, and individual and group treatment, as well as an Outpatient Withdrawal Management program for people dealing with substance use or gambling concerns.
Is Fishermen's Memorial Hospital part of a larger health authority?
Yes. The hospital operates under Nova Scotia Health (Western Zone). Fishermen's Memorial and South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater have shared a Board of Directors since 1992, working together to provide coordinated health services across the South Shore region.
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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