Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital

Best Times to Visit

About Inverness Hospital

Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital (ICMH) is a 24/7 community hospital emergency department located at 39 James Street in Inverness, Nova Scotia, serving Inverness and the surrounding Cape Breton communities. As part of Nova Scotia Health's Eastern Zone, ICMH offers a broad range of services including general medicine, general surgery, diagnostic imaging with CT, and mental health support — all under one roof through its integrated Community Health Centre. Patients seeking emergency care for non-life-threatening to acute conditions will find a well-staffed, community-focused department known for notably fast service and a welcoming atmosphere.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, General Medicine, General Surgery, CT Scanner, Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray), Medical Laboratory Services, Blood Collection, Diabetes Education Centre, Mental Health and Addictions Services, Community Mental Health and Addictions (Outpatient), Renal Dialysis, Respiratory Therapy, Physiotherapy, Palliative Care, Continuing Care (Aite Curam), Nutrition Services, Pharmacy, Public Health Services.

Amenities

• Cafeteria on main level (open daily at select hours: 7:00–7:30 a.m., 8:00–8:30 a.m., 9:30–11:00 a.m., noon–4:00 p.m., and 5:00–6:00 p.m.)
• On-site pharmacy
• Chapel on Level 2 (Active Care–West Wing)
• Free public Wi-Fi (request access at wifi@cbdha.nshealth.ca)
• Bedside TV and phone rentals (fee applies)
• Family room on Level 1, adjacent to the emergency department waiting room
• Community Health Centre with physician offices and programs on-site

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

• The emergency department is located at the front of the hospital — look for the main entrance on James Street for the fastest access.
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, a 24/7 phone crisis team is available at 902-429-8167 or toll-free 1-888-429-8167 before or alongside an ER visit.
• Reviewers report impressively short wait times at ICMH compared to larger regional hospitals — arriving early in the morning on weekdays tends to yield the fastest service.
• Let hospital staff know about any food allergies or special dietary needs upon arrival, as meals during any inpatient stay are prepared based on your doctor's diet order.
• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hospital — email wifi@cbdha.nshealth.ca ahead of time to receive connection details, so you stay connected during a longer wait or stay.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
• Nova Scotia Health Card (provincial health card)
• List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
• Any relevant medical records, imaging, or referral letters
• Insurance information (if applicable, for non-covered services)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack
• Comfortable clothing and a light sweater or jacket
• Snacks and water for potentially longer waits

Parking

Free parking is available at Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, with spaces located in front of and alongside the building. No pre-payment or validation is required.

Getting There

Strait Area Transit (SAT) Cooperative serves the Inverness Municipality area and offers a door-to-door Dial-A-Ride service for those unable to access fixed routes. Contact SAT directly to arrange a ride to the hospital.

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.