If you’re a post-secondary student living away from home and far from your family doctor, or studying relatively close to the old homestead but don’t have a general practitioner, take heart. There are health care options available to you, should medical advice or treatment be needed during the school year.
These include neighbourhood walk-in clinics, university health centres, hospital emergency rooms and the province’s 811 phone line, which puts callers in touch with a registered nurse.
Whether you are struggling with an illness, have sustained an injury, need birth control, want a flu shot or require dental care, local health service is a quick phone call or
The provincially run mental health crisis line is 902-429-8167 or 888-429-8167 (toll-free). Mental health services information is available at nshealth.ca/mental-health-addictions.
The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia has helpful healthcare information, including material on opioid awareness (pans.ns.ca). Free, life-saving naloxone kits are available at Nova Scotia drug stores.
Dalhousie University also provides dental services to the public. For more details check out dal.ca/faculty/dentistry/patients.
The Halifax Sexual Health Centre is at 6009 Quinpool Road (902-455-9656). If you need a blood test you can also try nshealth.ca/blood-collection. The Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project has health information on its website (nsrap.ca).
Need a physiotherapist? The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association can help
For students with children, here’s information on the IWK Health Centre in Halifax: iwk.nshealth.ca.
Students from other provinces aren’t eligible for Nova Scotia’s Medical Service Insurance coverage but can contact their home province to ensure their health coverage is maintained while studying here. Questions about MSI eligibility? Call 902-496-7008 or toll-free at 800-563-8880.
What follows is a partial list of medical services and resources offered in the Halifax region. Emergencies can be reported by calling 911.
Halifax walk-in clinics
Scotia Square Medical Clinic
5201 Duke Street (902-431-1800)
Family Focus Medical Clinic
5991 Spring Garden Road (902-420-6060)
Family Focus Medical Clinic
3601 Joseph Howe Drive (902-420-6060)
Clayton Park Walk-In Medical Clinic
278 Lacewood Drive (902-445-9600)
Dartmouth walk-in clinics
Dartmouth Medical Centre
44-46 Portland Street (902-465-4530)
Family Focus Medical Clinic
240 Baker Drive (902-420-6060)
Solutions Family Medical Clinic
650 Portland Street (902-477-7656)
Tacoma Family Medicine Walk-In Clinic
58 Tacoma Drive (902-466-1531)
Bedford/Sackville walk-in clinics
Family Focus Medical Clinic
27 Peakview Way (902-420-6060)
Ravines Medical Centre
535 Larry Uteck Boulevard (902-407-4382)
Community Care Walk-In Clinic
159 Cobequid Road (902-865-5800)
Family Focus Medical Clinic
667 Sackville Drive (902-420-6060)
University health services
Dalhousie University Student Health & Wellness Centre
1246 LeMarchant Street (902-494-2171)
Saint Mary’s University Student Health Centre
SMU Student Centre, 4th floor (902-420-5611)
Mount Saint Vincent University Health Office
Assisi Hall, 2nd floor (902-457-6354)
NSCAD University students are encouraged to access health services at SMU
Hospital emergency rooms
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Halifax Infirmary, 1799 Robie Street
Dartmouth General Hospital, 325 Pleasant Street
Cobequid Community Health Centre, 40 Freer Lane, Lower Sackville
811
This provincially run phone line is staffed by registered nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Service is available in several languages.