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Staff at the hospital in Pictou, N.S., say their patients are overjoyed now that they no longer have to travel for dialysis.
The renal dialysis unit at Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital has tripled in size, now offering 12 chairs with space for up to 48 patients who need the life-sustaining care.
“It was just an overwhelmingly exciting project,” said Amanda Billard, health services manager for the provincial health authority northern zone’s renal program.
For years, Billard said there was a waitlist of 20 people who were forced to travel to Antigonish or Truro three times a week for treatment because the Pictou site was always at capacity.
“You’re talking about 14,400 kilometres a year. If you think about the hours of someone’s life that it takes to get there. Thinking about storms and adverse events. They require this treatment.”
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The province spent $3.58 million on the renovations and new chairs. The Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital Foundation and Aberdeen Health Foundation also contributed.
Construction was officially completed in August 2025, but the official opening of the unit was celebrated on Monday, now that it’s fully in operation.
“Dialysis is not easy. If you yourself, or someone you know or support need dialysis, you know it’s a heck of a thing and it takes a toll on you,” said Energy Minister Marco MacLeod, who is the MLA for Pictou West.
“This facility here really shows our commitment to improve access to health care in Nova Scotia.”
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The expansion also opens the door for tourists who depend on dialysis to visit the area, something that wasn’t possible before.
Billard said they’ve already had a few transient patients take them up on that option. She points out it will also help the local economy.
“We’ve cared for people in Nova Scotia that have been travelling through and needed a treatment and we have patients coming from Ontario this summer that need four or five treatments,” she said.
“They’ll stay here in Pictou County and enjoy the beautiful Pictou County and come here for their four-hour treatments and then leave again and explore some more.”
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