Services cancelled at Inverness hospital after boil water advisory
A water main break in the Municipality of the County of Inverness has left a local hospital without running water for drinking or flushing toilets.
The municipality issued a boil water advisory Wednesday for customers of its water utility.
Until further notice, customers are advised to bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, making infant formula, brushing teeth, preparing food or washing dishes.
The advisory extends to Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital.
Nova Scotia Health said Wednesday that hand sanitizer is available and drinking water is on its way to the hospital.
The hospital’s emergency department remains open, but the health authority said patients without “emergency concerns” are asked to contact their primary care provider, or a virtual or community access point.
It said the urgent treatment centre at Victoria County Memorial Hospital in Baddeck, about an hour’s drive away, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.
Services cancelled
A number of services were cancelled Wednesday at the Inverness hospital as a result of the advisory, including:
- Renal dialysis.
- Oncology treatments and clinics.
- Ambulatory care and outpatient clinics.
- Outpatient lab blood collection appointments.
- Outpatient X-ray and scheduled appointments for all diagnostic imaging services, such as X-ray, EKG and ultrasound.
- Outpatient rehab and hip and knee clinic appointments.
Nova Scotia Health said the mental health and addictions outpatient clinic will remain open, however, appointments will be moved to virtual where possible.
Primary care collaborative clinics and diabetes education centre/clinics in the community health centre are expected to provide care virtually as appropriate. Patients will be contacted directly.
Nova Scotia Health said efforts will be made to contact people to reschedule.
CBC News has reached out to the municipality for details on when the water main break is expected to be repaired, but did not immediately receive a response.
