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Doctor shortage leads to temporarily closures at some N.S. hospitals over holiday season

The emergency department at Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital will be closed from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Christmas Day due to physician availability.
The emergency department at Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital will be closed from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Christmas Day due to physician availability. Credit: NS Health

Three Nova Scotia hospitals will experience temporary closures at their emergency departments this holiday season.

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Due to a physician shortage, the emergency department and collaborative emergency centre at the Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital in Middle Musquodoboit, N.S., will be closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25. It will also be closed from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority is reminding residents that the collaborative emergency centre at the Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital is closed every night from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m.

The emergency department at the Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital in Sheet Harbour, N.S., will be closed due to a lack of physician coverage from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27 until 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 29.

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In addition, the emergency department at Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital in Tatamagouche, N.S. will also be closed from 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24 until 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec 25 due to a lack of both a physician and a registered nurse.

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The health authority says those experiencing a medical emergency should always call 911.

Health advice from registered nurses and information about general health concerns is available 24/7 by calling 811.

The Mental Health Crisis Line can also be reached 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia doctor calls family doctor shortage a ‘crisis’

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