Nova Scotia Health Authority

​View the list of NSHA programs and services.     

Please note: There are currently visitor restrictions in place due to COVID-19. Please visit  http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus-home/nova-scotia-health-visitor-restrictions for up-to-date information.  Visiting hours at Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital during COVID-19 are 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Visiting hours vary depending on what unit the patient is on. Please check with nursing staff.

Northumberland Veterans Unit: Visitors are welcome anytime according to care needs. Preferred visiting hours are afternoon and early evening. 

Restorative Care Unit: 11 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  There is a rest period from noon to 1 p.m.

*Learn more about NSHA's Family Presence Policy, which welcomes up to two people named by the patient to be their family or primary support person/people.

Free parking.

Free public WiFi.

• Private room: Includes one bed and one washroom. You can find current rates here.
• Semi-private room: Includes two beds separated by curtains and one washroom. You can find current rates here.

Space in our private and semi-private rooms is limited. The sooner we have your insurance information the more likely we are to be able to accommodate your request.

When the booking clerk calls with your hospital admission date, let them know you are interested in a private or semi-private room.

When you are admitted, be sure to have your private insurance card with you and let the admitting clerk know you have requested a private or semi-private room.TV & Phone in your Room

You can find updated information about costs associated with semi-private and private Rooms in the hospital here.

You can find updated information about fees and bill payments for Canadians and out of country patients here.

TV Service

There are no TVs in the restorative care unit. Residents of the Northumberland Veterans Unit can make their own arrangements for TV service.

Phone Service 

Phones are provided in the restorative care unit for local calls only. Residents of the Northumberland Veterans Unit can make their own arrangements for phone service.

During your stay at the hospital, you will receive breakfast, lunch and supper daily.  If you follow a special diet or have food-related allergies or sensitivities, let us know when you arrive.

A family room is located in the veteran’s wing. It is available for patients and families.

The Northumberland Veterans Unit opened in 1995. It has 20 beds available to eligible veterans requiring long term care. Eligibility and cost is determined by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). All questions or comments on VAC services and benefits may be directed to the following toll-free number: 1-866-522-2122 (English), 1-866-522-2022 (French) or visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca.

Accommodations include four semi-private and 12 private rooms. Each spacious room is attractively furnished with a large window, shelf unit, closet, bed and bedside table, desk and bathroom with toilet and sink. Emergency call bells are located beside or on each bed and in the bathroom. Doors can be locked from the inside for intimate or private visits.

Rooms are assigned based on availability and need.

The unit also includes a large recreation room with a small kitchenette, dining area, smoking room, shower and whirlpool tub room, several small seating areas, a chapel, a sunroom and a quiet room for private visits. Also, a secured courtyard with a paved walkway, elevated gardens and seating areas can be enjoyed outside during the nice weather, or from the adjacent solarium inside. Our wheelchair accessible main entrance boasts a patio and flower gardens overlooking scenic Pictou Harbour.

The unit has a wander guard system for the protection of those veterans who suffer from memory loss or tend to wander as a result of Alzheimer's or other related dementias. These veterans wear a small bracelet that signals an alarm to ring if they inadvertently go out an exit unescorted.

This facility is scent free and smoke free. Smoking is considered a health hazard, and the smoking policy restricts the use of cigarettes to the smoking room for resident veterans only. Family or friend supervision is required if safety is a concern.

The Veterans Council allows veterans, or invited family members on their behalf, to exercise their rights by expressing their opinions and participating in decisions affecting their daily lives. It also promotes communication among administration, the Legions, Veterans Affairs Canada and the veterans by allowing for discussion and promoting interest and friendship.

Mission Statement - The Northumberland Veterans Unit is committed to caring for veterans in a safe, homelike environment, working with family and community, to make their life more meaningful.

We believe we can best achieve our mission by fostering a strong spirit of unity with staff, veterans and families to give a sense of belonging and growth for everyone involved. 

Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital plays an important role in the lives and communities it serves. It has a restorative care unit, veterans unit, various outpatient services and community programs.