News release

Temporary Dialysis Unit Opens in Amherst

Health and Wellness

Starting next week, Nova Scotians who travel to New Brunswick for dialysis can get their life-saving treatment closer to home. A temporary, six-station unit will open Monday, September 19, at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst.

“Frequent travel for treatment like dialysis can be hard on patients and their families,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “This temporary unit will serve the region until a new, permanent solution is in place.”

Eleven Nova Scotians have been travelling to Moncton multiple times each week for treatment.

The temporary unit will remain in place until the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre redevelopment project is complete. Plans to improve the facility include a new 12-station dialysis unit, which will be in addition to the three dialysis units currently operating in the northern health zone.

Quotes:

“I have been on dialysis for almost 11 years, and I am thrilled I can now dialyze in Amherst. Receiving treatment three days a week in Moncton means leaving my home in the morning and returning in the evening. It makes for very long days. I am now just 10 minutes away from my treatment. I want to thank the Nova Scotia Health renal program and everyone else involved in bringing this unit to Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.”

– Eric Black, dialysis patient, Cumberland County

Quick Facts:

  • the Province allocated $900,000 to establish the temporary dialysis unit
  • the unit can support up to 16 patients, with capacity increasing to 24 patients after the first year
  • the three dialysis units currently in Northern Zone – at Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, All Saints Springhill Hospital and Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital in Pictou – provide care to 98 patients
  • patients on dialysis receive treatment three days a week, and treatment takes four to five hours

Additional Resources:

News release – Government Invests in Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201202005

News release – Temporary Dialysis Unit at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220429001

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