Important telephone numbers:

211 - 211 Nova Scotia provides information about social services in your community.
811 - To speak to a registered nurse dial 811, they can provide advice for yourself and/or your families' health at any time.
911 - Only dial in emergency situations, for example when someone's health, safety or property is threatened.

Health card:

When you arrive in Nova Scotia it is important to register for Medical Service Insurance (MSI) in order to receive basic health coverage (provided through your taxes). Once you have received your card you must carry it on you to show when you visit a doctor, hospital, clinic, and any other health services. Medical services not covered under MSI include: prescription drugs, dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. Extra health insurance can be purchased from private companies and are often provided in an employee benefit plan.

• Prescription drugs: If you meet the criteria, you can receive help to pay for prescription drugs through Nova Scotia Pharmacare.
• Private Health Insurance: To help pay for services not covered under MSI, there is health insurance that can be purchased through individual companies. Some options are: Medavie Blue Cross and Sun Life Financial. These companies offer a variety of plans for your personal needs.

Finding a doctor:

If you are looking for a family doctor for you or your family, you can add your name to the Need a Family Practice Registry waitlist.

The Need a Family Practice Registry is a provincial list for people without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Once you have registered, you will be added to the list. When a primary care provider in your area is accepting new patients, Nova Scotia Health Authority will contact you by phone and/or email.

You can add yourself and your family members to this Registry by phone or online:

• Online: Visit the Need A Family Practice Registry website.
  • To register online, you must have a Nova Scotia Health Card
• By Phone: Call 811 to speak to a person.
  • Call 811 if you are new to Nova Scotia and do not have a Nova Scotia Health Card
  • 811 Staff are available Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Translation services:

When visiting a doctor's office it is essential that medical terminology and language be understood. Through the Health Authority patients are provided with translation services over the telephone. The number is 1-844-590-7765.

Walk-in clinics:

Until you have a family doctor or if you need same day appointments, you can visit a walk-in clinic. These medical clinics are staffed with qualified, licensed physicians.

• Antigonish County:
• Antigonish After Hours Clinic
  40 Church St.
  Monday to Friday 6:00-9:00pm
  1-902-735-4000

* This may have been affected by the pandemic.

• Primacy Medical Clinic
  Atlantic Superstore, 2nd floor
  26A Market Street
  Monday: 6:00-9:00 pm
  Saturday: 1:00-5:00pm
  1-902-338-3000
  Call for an appointment after 5:30pm on Mondays and after 12:30pm on Saturdays
  Walk-ins also welcome
• Pictou County:
• Aberdeen Walk-in Clinic (Hours updated: January, 2020)
  610 East River Road
  ***Registration begins 30 minutes prior to opening***
  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
  (Clinic hours may sometimes change due to physician availability and patient volume)
  1-902-752-7125

Hospitals:

Health services throughout the province are provided by the Nova Scotia Health Authority. The following is a list of hospitals in the area:

• Aberdeen Hospital, 835 E River Rd, New Glasgow, 902-752-7600
• Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital, 222 Haliburton Rd, Pictou, 902-485-4324
• St. Martha's Hospital Corp., 25 Bay St., Antigonish, 902-867-4500

Public Health:

Throughout Canada, programs, services and policies are held in place to make sure people are healthy, and to prevent injury, and illness. The Public Health Agency of Canada provides information and services for immunization, prenatal classes, vision, dental, nutritional health, and disease prevention by working in partnership with communities, families and individuals. The Department of Health and Wellness channels information from Public Health Nova Scotia to provide a variety of programs offered through:

• Nova Scotia Health Authority locations in Pictou County and Antigonish County
• Kids First in New Glasgow
• Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library
• Public schools

Mental Health:

A person's mental well-being continues to become more and more of a concern as we continue to gain a better understanding of mental illnesses. In Antigonish and Pictou Counties there are a variety of services available to help manage psychological and emotion issues:

• If services are needed right away, you can visit the emergency services located at hospitals and they will direct you to receive the best help.
• Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team offers telephone intervention throughout the province.
• Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity that wishes to raise funds for vital programs and services that help support people living with mental illness and their loved ones.

For further information about mental health, you can visit the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library to receive reading materials and contact information for other supports in the community.

Sexual Health:

Sexual Health Nova Scotia provides information both in person and online. Visit their website or office, located in Stellarton. Other local centres for sexual health in the area are:

• Antigonish Women's Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association operates throughout Antigonish and Guysborough counties to provide services for survivors of sexual assault and participant in community action on social issues that effect women.
• Pictou County Women's Resource & Sexual Assault Centre "offers women a safe place to receive support, advocacy, referrals, information and programs. Services are offered Monday - Friday from 9 - 4:30 pm. To schedule an appointment or for more information please call 902-755-4647."
• Well Women's Clinic: women receive a well women's check up from a multi-disciplinary team in Antigonish and Pictou.
• Men's Health Centre provides testing, counselling and resources.
• New Leaf offers services to men, in order to provide information about healthy relationships and sexual harassment.
• PC Rainbow Community provides support and connections for members of the LGBTQ community, friends, families, and allies.

Addiction Services:

Nova Scotia Addiction Services is offered throughout the province for individuals, families and communities, to help work through the harmful use of alcohol, drugs (tobacco, marijuana, etc.) and gambling. Full lists of services for addiction counselling, support groups and treatment search 211 Nova Scotia.