South West Health - Patient Information

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Patient Information

● Palliative Care Services
● Patient Safety / My Medication Record
● Information for cancer patients
● Directory of French Speaking Primary Health Care Providers
● Répertoire des fournisseurs de soins de santé primaires francophones
● When Your Child Needs Anaesthesia
● Information for stroke patients
● New policies for patients entering nursing homes

Places to stay in Halifax when having cancer treatments or medical appointments/procedures

The following accommodations offer reduced rates...click on them for more information.
The Lodge that Gives
Point Pleasant Lodge

The following hotels are nearest (and for mobile people, they are within walking distance) of the NS Cancer Centre, QEII VG Site and IWK. At the time this information was posted (January 16, 2006) each accommodation offers a patient rate. They all require proof of appointment, most require a letter on hospital or physician office letterhead.

When you book your appointment be sure to ask them what they require so that you can get the hospital/patient rate.

Holiday Inn Select Halifax Centre

1980 Robie Street - phone 902-423-1161

The Garden Inn

1263 South Park Street - phone 1-877-414-8577 or 902-492-8577

The Westin Nova Scotian Hotel

1181 Hollis Street - phone 1-877-993-7846

The Lord Nelson Hotel and Suites

1515 South Park Street, - phone 902-423-6331

Emergency Department Information

When Should You Go to the Emergency Department?

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The emergency department is here to treat people with serious illnesses and injuries.

The emergency department is often overcrowded with patients seeking care that is not urgent.

People with non-urgent conditions are encouraged to visit their family doctor during regular office hours. Your family doctor knows your medical history and can provide follow-up care.

When people choose the Emergency Department as their first stop for non-urgent care, the result is:
- They do not get the same follow-up care they would from their family doctor.
- The doctor on call becomes exhausted trying to see large numbers of people.
- People have to wait long hours.

What Happens Once You Get to the Emergency Room?

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Emergency rooms are for emergencies and the sickest patients are treated first.

What is Triage?

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This is a term you will hear used by nurses and doctors. Triage means a patient is assessed to determine when they should see a doctor.

Nurses identify people who have urgent, life-threatening illnesses. The remaining patients are then assessed according to these levels:

Level 1: Needs help now
Level 2: Needs help very soon
Level 3: May need help soon
Level 4: May need help or advice
Level 5: Minor Chronic Problems (May be seen in a Doctor’s office.)

Patients with illnesses in the level 4 and 5 range are best treated by their family doctor during regular office hours.

Why Does it Take So Long to see the Emergency Room Doctor?

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There may be an ambulance arrive with a very sick patient. An emergency may happen to a hospital patient that requires the emergency department staff to help.

Your cooperation is appreciated. Please respect our nurses and doctors.

What Can You Do to Prevent Trips to the Emergency Department?

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Serious injuries and illnesses happen, that is what hospital emergency departments are for. You can help avoid trips to the emergency department by following these steps.

Be careful. Most injuries can be avoided.

Contact your family doctor to learn who to call after office hours.

Make sure you have enough of your prescription to get you through the weekend or a long holiday weekend.

If you think you need a doctor’s help, don’t wait until things get worse contact your family doctor for an appointment

Ask your doctor when you should use the emergency department.

If you come to the emergency department bring your health card, hospital card and a list of your medications.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. The flu vaccine is available from your family doctor or by visiting a neighborhood clinic in the fall.

If you have a real emergency call 911.

● Change in admission date
You probably know there are sometimes emergency admissions to the hospital. Emergency admissions must be taken care of first. This means your hospital admission may need to be re-scheduled. We will do our best to avoid these delays and we appreciate your understanding. If you do have a delay, your doctor’s office will give you a new admission date.
Diagnostic Imaging Patient Guides

● Patient Guides to Diagnostic Imaging procedures - click here.

Patient Services Directory (This information may be helpful to you and your family during your hospital stay with us. Click on the sections below for lots of information.)
● General Information - this information applies to all hospital sites
● Yarmouth Regional Hospital section
● Roseway Hospital section
● Digby General Hospital section
● Répertoire des services aux patients