Yarmouth Regional Hospital's Building B to be closed for months following flood

After last week's pipe burst caused flooding on all five floors, Nova Scotia Health Authority officials say the hospital will require months of repairs.

Flooding caused by last week's pipe burst left five floors of the building with significant damage

Jill English CBC News Posted: Dec 22, 2016 12:07 PM EST | Last Updated: December 22, 2016

Water that filled hallways of Yarmouth Regional Hospital on Dec. 17 has since been mopped up. The damage will take months to repair. (Nova Scotia Health Authority)

YarmouthRegional Hospital faces months of disruption after cold weather caused a pipe to burst Dec.17, causing damage so severe that one building is off-limits until further notice.

All five floors of the hospital's Building Bwere hit by the resulting flood, which damagedwalls, ceilingsand floors.

The affected areaincludes mental health and addiction services, diagnostic imaging,public health and 14 physicians' offices. Many appointments have been relocated to other areas of the hospital, with the exception of MRI screenings, which have been cancelled.

Ceiling tiles lay broken on the floor after cold weather caused a pipe to burst at Yarmouth General Hospital Dec. 17. (Nova Scotia Health Authority)

MRI screeningscancelled

"MRI services will be unavailable while we make the necessary repairs to the area," said Peggy Green, director of health services in the authority's western zone.

"Affected appointmentsare being reviewed by radiologists and will be rebooked as quickly as possible, giving significance to the urgencyand priority of each case."

Green said the department will be working closely with hospitals around Nova Scotia to ensure patients are looked after while repairs are ongoing.

The MRI machineitself was not damaged in the flood and crews are aiming to resume screenings at Yarmouth Regional Hospital in mid-January.

Relocating beds and private practices

The hospital's mental health and addictions services will continue to admit what inpatientsthey can accommodate, but warned some may be transferred to nearby hospitals. The eight beds currently occupied have been temporarily relocated.

Physicians have been designated new spaces to continue their practices for the coming two weeks. Following that period the Nova Scotia Health Authority will update the public regarding a longer-term arrangement.

Patients are being advised of changes to their appointments and appointment locations byphysicians' offices, but anyone with questions is encouragedto call1-844-364-7558.

For those whouse the building to get between the hospital's A and C buildings, Green says thereare alternate routes in place.

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