St. Mary's Memorial Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less busy during mid-morning on weekdays. For non-urgent concerns, consider calling ahead or exploring telemedicine options.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Like most emergency departments, expect longer waits on weekday evenings, weekends, and holidays when staffing may be reduced and patient volumes can rise.

About St. Mary's Memorial

St. Mary's Memorial Hospital is a six-bed acute care facility located in Sherbrooke, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, serving rural residents of the surrounding communities since 1949. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, supported by physicians and offering services including lab work, x-ray, EKG, blood collection, and telemedicine. As a small community hospital, St. Mary's is best suited for non-life-threatening emergencies; patients requiring cardiac, stroke, trauma, or specialized pediatric care may be transferred to a larger regional facility approximately 70 km away.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Blood Collection, Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray), EKG / Electrocardiogram, Laboratory Services, Physiotherapy, Telemedicine, Palliative Care, Social Work, Nutritional Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Diabetic Clinic, Foot Clinic, Well Men's Clinic, Well Women's Clinic, Mental Health and Addictions Support, Inpatient Care, Outpatient Services.

Amenities

• Free on-site parking
• Free WiFi in all inpatient care areas
• Private rooms (one bed, one washroom)
• Semi-private rooms (two beds, one washroom)
• Open visitation in line with patient preference and care needs

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

• St. Mary's is a small, six-bed rural facility — for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, or major trauma, call 911 immediately as you may be transferred to a larger centre.
• Telemedicine is available at this location, which allows specialist consultations without requiring travel to a larger city — ask staff if a telemedicine consult is appropriate for your condition.
• Mental health and addictions support is available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Tuesdays until 8 p.m.). For a mental health crisis outside those hours, call the mobile crisis line at 1-888-429-8167.
• Because Sherbrooke is a rural community with limited transportation, plan your travel in advance — there is no confirmed local transit, so arrange a ride or contact Nova Scotia Health about transportation support before your visit.
• The hospital is located 70 km from St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish. If your condition is complex or time-sensitive, consider whether the regional hospital better meets your needs before travelling to Sherbrooke.

What to Bring

• Provincial health card (Nova Scotia MSI card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, including dosages
• List of known allergies
• Name and contact information of your family doctor
• Contact information for a trusted family member or support person
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral documents
• Comfortable clothing and personal items if admission is possible

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.