Yarmouth Regional Hospital is the primary regional referral centre serving more than 58,000 residents across Yarmouth, Shelburne, and Digby Counties in southwestern Nova Scotia. The Emergency Department, located on the main level at 60 Vancouver Street, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing acute care for illnesses and injuries that cannot wait for a family physician. As a teaching hospital affiliated with Dalhousie University, YRH offers a broader scope of specialist care than most rural facilities, including cardiovascular, dialysis, cancer navigation, and advanced diagnostics.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Urgent Treatment Centre (by appointment, call 902-742-2406), Cardiovascular and Stroke Clinic, CT Scan, MRI, X-ray, Ultrasound, Bone Density Scan and EKG/ECG, SPECT/CT Scanner, Hemodialysis (inpatient, outpatient, and ICU), Mental Health Mobile Crisis Line (24/7 phone support), Cancer Patient Navigator (Digby, Yarmouth, and Shelburne counties), Well Woman Clinic, Early Mobility Program (patients 65+), Blood and Specimen Collection (by appointment), Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Residency Training, Dalhousie School of Nursing campus.
Amenities
Cafeteria (Basement Level): Mon–Fri 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; weekends and holidays 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4–6 p.m.
Use the Urgent Treatment Centre for non-emergency concerns — call 902-742-2406 to book an appointment for same-day or next-day care and avoid a longer ED wait.
The main entrance on Vancouver Street is the only public entry point. After 8 p.m. the doors are locked — ring the buzzer to be admitted.
Check estimated ED wait times posted publicly on the Nova Scotia Health website before leaving home so you can plan your visit.
If you are a frequent visitor or caregiver, purchase a pre-paid parking pass at the hospital to save time and money at the on-site lot.
For a mental health or addiction crisis, call the 24/7 mobile crisis line at 902-429-8167 (or toll-free 1-888-429-8167) before heading to the ED — trained staff can help you determine the best next step.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Nova Scotia Health Card (CCP/MSI card)
List of all current medications, including dosages
Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
List of known allergies and previous surgeries
Health insurance information for any non-covered services
Phone charger or portable battery pack for a potentially long wait
Snacks, water, and something to read or watch during the wait
Parking
Yarmouth Regional Hospital has on-site parking lots including a front/north parking lot near the School of Nursing building. Parking fees apply, and pre-paid passes are available for frequent visitors. All patients and visitors must use the main front entrance on the Vancouver Street (north) side of the building — the rear harbour-side entrance is locked and reserved for staff and physicians.
Getting There
No fixed public transit routes to the hospital have been confirmed. Yarmouth is a smaller urban centre; visitors are encouraged to check with the Town of Yarmouth or local transit providers for bus service to Vancouver Street. The main patient entrance faces Vancouver Street and serves as the primary drop-off point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yarmouth Regional Hospital's Emergency Department open on holidays?
Yes. The ED at Yarmouth Regional Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including all statutory holidays. There is no charge to be seen in the emergency department.
What is the Urgent Treatment Centre at Yarmouth Regional, and how is it different from the ED?
The Urgent Treatment Centre is located on the main floor of the hospital and is open by appointment only. Call 902-742-2406 to book; a nurse will assess your needs over the phone and direct you to the most appropriate setting. Appointments are typically available the same day or the following day the centre is open. It is designed for patients with non-emergency concerns who might otherwise wait in the ED.
What diagnostic imaging is available at Yarmouth Regional Hospital?
Yarmouth Regional Hospital offers a comprehensive range of diagnostics including CT scan, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, bone density scan, EKG/ECG, and a SPECT/CT scanner — an advanced imaging tool that allows for more efficient, uninterrupted care for patients in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Is Yarmouth Regional Hospital a teaching hospital?
Yes. Yarmouth Regional Hospital is a Dalhousie University Family Medicine Training site with five family residency spots, and also hosts a Dalhousie residency program for community general internists. It serves as the Yarmouth campus for the Dalhousie School of Nursing.
Is the hospital expanding its Emergency Department?
Yes. A new Emergency Department is under construction and scheduled to open in 2027. The expanded ED will be able to care for up to 30 patients at a time — more than double the current capacity of 14 — and will accommodate four ambulance bays, up from two.
Where do I park, and which entrance should I use at Yarmouth Regional Hospital?
Park in the on-site lot at the front/north side of the hospital off Vancouver Street. All patients and visitors must enter through the main front entrance on Vancouver Street. The rear (south/harbour-side) entrance is locked and reserved for staff and physicians. After 8 p.m., the main doors are locked and you will need to ring the buzzer to enter.
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.
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