Expanding renal dialysis access in Pictou County

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Friday, March 6, 2026, …. For people living with kidney disease, dialysis can be a critical and ongoing part of life. Treatments typically last several hours at a time and are required multiple days each week, year-round. Until recently, many Pictou County residents had to travel outside the county to receive this care, often adding hours of driving to an already demanding treatment schedule.

With the opening of the new 12-station dialysis unit at Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital, more patients can now receive life-sustaining dialysis care closer to home. The expansion has increased local dialysis capacity from four stations to twelve, significantly improving access for patients while also easing pressure on dialysis units in surrounding communities.

Funding from the Aberdeen Health Foundation, alongside support from the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital Foundation, Nova Scotia Health, and government partners, helped make this major expansion possible, supporting extensive renovations and specialized equipment needed to bring modern dialysis services to Pictou County.

Photo Caption: This major expansion was made possible through $1.2 million in support from the Aberdeen Health Foundation, $300,000 from the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital Foundation, and funding from the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health. From left to right, Amanda Billard, Renal Program Health Services Manager, Bethany McCormick, VP Operations Northern Zone, Lisa MacDonald, Former Chair, and Michelle Ferris, Executive Director, Aberdeen Health Foundation.

According to David Landry, Senior Director of the Nova Scotia Health Renal Program, the need for expanded dialysis services in Pictou County had been clear for many years.

“We’ve always had a larger dialysis population in Pictou County than the four chairs could accommodate,” Landry explains. “People were never really able to get dialysis locally.”

Dialysis treatments generally take three to five hours per session, three times per week, 52 weeks a year. For patients traveling outside the county, that often meant spending almost as much time on the road as in treatment.

For Leonard Lowe of Hopewell, the opening of the Pictou Dialysis Unit has eased a significant burden in his weekly routine. Before transferring his care, Lowe travelled three times a week to Truro for dialysis, a route that included Mount Thom. Beyond the physical toll, the travel added ongoing stress and anxiety, particularly during the winter months.

“The constant worry about road conditions and the potential for accidents added an immense burden,” Lowe says. “The peace of mind this provides cannot be overstated. The reduced travel time has given me back countless hours each week. I now have more time and energy for my family and to rest and recharge.”

For Vincent Heighton of Lyons Brook, dialysis care once meant regular travel to Halifax and later Antigonish. After complications related to multiple surgeries, Vince began dialysis in 2022, traveling several times a week for treatment.

“It was exhausting for him and for our family,” says his daughter, Patty Heighton.

Photo Caption: Vincent Heighton, right, with his daughter Patty Heighton, left. Vincent previously travelled several times a week to Halifax and Antigonish for dialysis before transferring to care in Pictou in May 2024.

In May 2024, Vince was able to transfer to dialysis care in Pictou. When the new unit opened, the difference was immediate. “Dad said it was a godsend for the dialysis patients in Pictou County. The dialysis unit and staff give Dad an opportunity to sustain ‘normal’ living on the days he’s not there – we’re forever grateful for the doctors, nurses and staff.”

The expanded dialysis unit was designed with both patient comfort and staff workflows in mind, featuring improved patient flow, a covered drop-off area, nearby parking, and bright, modern treatment spaces filled with natural light.

“This unit addresses about 95 per cent of dialysis care needs for patients in this community,” Landry says. “It has the capacity to serve Pictou County for the foreseeable future.”

The unit also provides flexibility to increase capacity over time, ensuring the community is well positioned to meet future demands.

“Hearing directly from patients and families about what this change means to them has been incredibly meaningful for the Foundation,” says Heather MacDonald, Board Chair. “Supporting care that strengthens access, safety, and quality of life in our community is at the heart of what we do.”

The Aberdeen Health Foundation is the leading charity for enhancing health care in Pictou County. In 2025, the Foundation invested over $3 million to fund medical equipment and enhance health programs at the Aberdeen Hospital and in the community. Your contribution can be the catalyst for even greater change — find out how you can make an impact here.