Health and Dental
Urgent Care
If you need urgent care, go to the Emergency Room (ER) at St Martha's Regional Hospital.
Bring your MSI card, or you may have to pay out-of-pocket for your visit. Go first to the “Triage” waiting room to be assessed and registered.
Come prepared for a very long wait time. Staff cannot tell you how long your wait will be. You can look up estimated wait times here: www.nshealth.ca/edwaittimes
Washrooms and a drinking fountain are available. In the daytime the cafeteria downstairs, the Breakaway Café at the Main Entrance, and Janet's Canteen on the Main Floor are open - but if you leave the ER waiting room tell the registration desk in case you are called while you are gone.
It is always a good idea to bring someone with you to help if you need food; to monitor you; and to help you advocate for yourself. It can be helpful to have someone else ask questions and take notes. Depending on Covid-19 restrictions in place, you may not be allowed to have a support person with you.
If you decide to leave before seeing a doctor, let the registration desk know.
St. Martha's Regional Hospital ER
24/7
♿️ 65 Bay St
YourHealthNS app helps Nova Scotians better navigate the healthcare system. It’s a one-stop shop to book services, navigate care, and find information easier and faster, right from a mobile device or computer.
Find on the app:
Virtual Care (Zoom appointments through Maple). You can see a doctor or nurse from your phone or computer through this program.
Bookings and rebookings for tests, scans, bloodwork and more,
Emergency Room Wait Times
Services Directory
Nova Scotia Health is offering a Virtual Urgent Care service by phone at 1-833-413-0277 to all NOva Scotians with a valid health card.
Nova Scotia Health is offering a Virtual Urgent Care service by phone at 1-833-413-0277 to all NOva Scotians with a valid health card.
The Community Pharmacy Primary Care Program
The Community Pharmacy Primary Care Program ia a free service that allows any Nova cotian with a valid health card to see a primary care pharmacist for minor ailments.
What is a minor ailment?
A condition that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self care strategies
Usually a short term condition
Does not require any blood work or lab tests
Can be managed by your pharmacist at the pharmacy
Not intended to replace regular visits with your pharmacy care provider
A minor ailment can be treated with:
“At-home” or self-care treatments
Over-the-counter medication treatments
Prescription medications
See the list of ailments and conditions can can be treated at a community pharmacy see: https://pans.ns.ca/public/pharmacy-services/assessing-prescribing-minor-ailments
Teasdale Apothecary
65 Beech Hill Rd
Seeing a doctor or nurse
If you do not have a family doctor and have an MSI card, you can call 8-1-1 to register for the Need a Family Practice Registry. The waitlist is really long, so get on it as soon as you can.
If you are on the Need a Family Practice Registry (see above), you can access Virtual Health in the meantime to talk to a Primary Care Physician. You must register online. It may take up to ten days to have your registration activated, so do not wait until you need to see a doctor to set up your account.
To use VirtualCareNS, you need to:
Be on the Need a Family Practice Registry (please note it may take up to 10 business days from when you register to when your access to VirtualCareNS is activated )
Have a valid Nova Scotia Health Card number
Be able to access the internet through a computer or mobile device
Have an e-mail address
Be located within the province when accessing VirtualCareNS
To sign up for VirtualCareNS:
Visit the registration page, or if you already have a pre-existing paid Maple account, go to this page to convert your account.
Enter your Nova Scotia health card number.
Create your account by follow the prompts on the screen.
Add your health history. There is helpful information on this video about adding your health history.
Once registered, you can now request an appointment with a primary care provider.
There is also this step by step guide to using VirtualCareNS (.pdf) with information on how to create your account, how to manage your account, how to request a virtual visit, and how to review your virtual visit.
To use VirtualCareNS on the Maple platform, you will need a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. The device you are using will need to have a camera (for video), microphone and a speaker. Most mobile devices and laptops already have these features built in.
Mobile devices: Download the Maple - 24/7 Online Doctors app (from the app store)
Computers and laptops: Use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari when visiting www.getmaple.ca.
If you need help setting up your Maple Account or using the App you can book an appointment at the Antigonish Library with a staff person.
If you are a woman without a family doctor, you can make an appointment with Lindsay's Health Centre at the Antigonish Women's Centre.
Lindsay’s Health Centre for Women offers services to women, adolescent girls (16 years of age and older), Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people. The team includes a physician, a nurse practitioner, and a mental health and addictions worker.
If you are a man without a family doctor, you can make an appointment with the Men's Health Clinic run by Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia.
The Men's Health Clinic offers services to males over 12.
You can access services for:
physical health issues and testing
mental health and addictions
sexual health
sexual victimization services
help finding other resources
Borrow health equipment
The Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program offers free loans of health and mobility aids for up to 3 months.
Examples:
Crutches
Canes
Walkers (2 wheel and 4 wheel)
Wheelchairs
Commodes
Raised toilet seats
Bathtub aids
Customized mobility aids (Specialized Equipment Program)
The Red Cross Bed Loan Program provides hospital beds for home use with delivery, pick up and installation provided.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority offers Seniors Wheelchair Loans,
Dental work - reduced cost
The Dalhousie School of Dentistry offers dental work to children and adults at a reduced cost.
Their services include:
fillings
crowns
extractions
root canals
periodontal treatments
full and partial dentures
braces
implants
cleanings
paediatric care
💰All patients must go to a screening appointment to see what work needs done. This costs $20. After all your care is complete you have 90 days to pay your fees plus a $25 administration cost. If you do not pay, you will be banned from using the program in the future. Some lab tests and treatments must be paid partly or fully in advance. At the time of your screening, you will be informed of costs and payment plan options.
Monday - Friday:
9:00am - 12:00pm | 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Paediatric Clinic
Tuesday: 9:00am - 12:00pm
5981 University Ave, Halifax
Smiles4Canada offers reduced cost dental work for children under the age of 14. Applications are open in January until April.
The application requires you to provide a lot of personal and financial information. Make sure you take time to prepare all your documents before beginning the application (Application Guide [PDF]).
💰Your child's treatment will take place in your own community, at a cost of $500 total (including all dental work needed and one set of retainers). You are responsible for transportation and other personal costs.
The Government of Nova Scotia has a number of dental programs for low income individuals and families. Talk to a dental clinic, or Nova Scotia Dental Programs for more information.
Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Support and guidance
Cancer Patient Navigators guide patients and families through the cancer care system. They can provide support and answer many of your questions. They can give you information that helps explain the different aspects of your cancer and the treatment you need. They can also connect you with resources in your community.
Navigators also work with members of your health care team to coordinate your tests and visits for cancer treatment.
After your treatment is finished, a navigator can also help you with your follow-up care.
Cancer Patient Navigator - Antigonish
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wellspring is a cancer support organization that offers connection, support and guidance through your cancer journey.
Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) is an organization that aims to help you manage changes to your appearance because of cancer treatments. They offer these courses online:
Skincare & Cosmetics : Learn how to care for sensitive skin plus tips and techniques for managing the loss of brows and lashes, adding colour back to the face, makeup hygiene and sun safety.
Breast Care, Forms & Garments : Learn about what to expect at a fitting, products available for post-surgery and beyond, tips for where to find financial coverage and more.
Wigs & Hair Alternatives : See a demonstration on various head coverings, what to consider when selecting a wig, easy scarf-tying techniques, plus caring for your scalp during and after treatment.
Teens : This special workshop just for teens includes skincare, on-trend make-up tips to feel your best and a demonstration of fun styles for caps, wraps and hair alternatives.
Caregivers Nova Scotia provides programs, services, and strong advocacy for caregivers.
Caregivers Nova Scotia is not a home care provider. They do not offer counselling services, or legal, financial, or medical advice, but they will refer you to organizations that do.
The Caregivers NS Antigonish Support Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month in the Community Kitchen at the library. Pre-registration is required.
Blank Templates for Caregivers
Click on the links below to find blank templates of the charts, checklists, and the Schedule of Daily Care Activities found in the Handbook. These templates are larger (8.5 x 11) with plenty of space to write. They also give you the flexibility to download and print additional pages at your convenience.
Schedule of Daily Care Activities
More help and support
Search for information about government programs.
By Topic (ex. Housing)
By Department or Service Provider (ex. Community Services)
By Program or Service Provided (ex. accessible transportation)
Search for contact information of program and service providers across the province.
Fill out a simple, confidential survey to see what government benefits you are eligible for.
The regional library’s website has a directory of services and collections of brochures on subjects including:
The Health & Wellness section, in particular, has multiple links to information on subjects as wide-ranging as Affordable Housing to Grief to Diabetes.