IWK Health

IWK Health Passionately pursuing a healthy future for women, children, youth and families.

The IWK Health page is not monitored 24/7 and should not be used in any emergency situation. If you require emergency help please call 911 or go to the emergency department closest to you. If you are experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis: Call 902.429.8167 or 1.888.429.8167 (toll-free) for the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team. We welcome your comments on Facebook but before you post on our page, please ensure you do not include personal information or photos of others without their consent.

IWK Health are experts in youth mental health care. Earlier help and supports leads to better outcomes. If you or someo...
11/22/2025

IWK Health are experts in youth mental health care. Earlier help and supports leads to better outcomes. If you or someone you care for is impacted, please reach out for help.

By calling our Central Referral line, you can connect with an access navigator who is ready to support you.

Contact our Central Referral Line at 1-855-922-1122. No doctor referral is required.

Open 7 days/week, including holidays:
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 8:30pm
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 8:30am - 4:30pm

You can also book an appointment at prebooking.nshealth.ca – to speak with mental health and addictions navigator at convenient time for you.

In the event of an emergency, individuals should go to their nearest Emergency Department or call 911.

Those experiencing a mental health crisis can also contact the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167, available 24/7.

If you are in need of support, you can also contact Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting "CONNECT" to 686868.

Help spread some holiday cheer to our inpatients & their families! Child Life Services at the IWK is accepting gifts fro...
11/21/2025

Help spread some holiday cheer to our inpatients & their families!

Child Life Services at the IWK is accepting gifts from those interested in donating. The 2025 donation wish list can be viewed by clicking the link below.

Thank you for your generosity this holiday season!
https://ow.ly/Z0jL50XlIa1

IWK Pharmacy Department is excited to be meeting candidates this week to join our hospital pharmacy residency program. ...
11/21/2025

IWK Pharmacy Department is excited to be meeting candidates this week to join our hospital pharmacy residency program. We’ve created this short video to highlight the special experience of working and learning with our team of pharmacists and technicians who are experts in their field.
https://youtu.be/3AA7yVbcL0s?si=JkJTMNjQ5l-r0-oU

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), observed annually from November 18–24, is a global initiative led by the Worl...
11/21/2025

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), observed annually from November 18–24, is a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This year’s theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together,” underscores the critical role that healthcare providers, patients, and policy makers all play in preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to global public health, and is unfortunately outpacing advances in modern medicine. Exposure to antimicrobials results in the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria and fungi in our communities. As a result, common infections are becoming harder (and sometimes impossible) to treat, leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. In Canada, this is also compounded by limited access to new antimicrobials and ongoing supply chain challenges with existing antimicrobials.

Healthcare providers are on the front lines of this crisis, and we can all play an active role in tackling AMR. Antimicrobial stewardship means prescribing the right drug, at the right dose, for the right amount of time. Equally important, is reducing the risk of bacterial infection (and therefore the need for antibiotics) through infection prevention measures such as hand hygiene, and vaccination promotion. Open communication with patients about the risks of unnecessary antibiotic use also plays a vital role in public awareness.

At the IWK, Jeannette Comeau, MD and Jennifer Curran, PharmD co-lead the multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) with a goal of supporting healthcare providers in antimicrobial stewardship efforts at both a patient and system level. The program consists of an interdisciplinary team of vital members within microbiology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, women’s health, infection prevention and control, and pharmacy. Firstline, the app designed to provide IWK specific guidance in the treatment of common infections and antimicrobial use, is frequently updated in collaboration with teams across the institution. Yearly antibiograms are published with surveillance of local antimicrobial resistance patterns, and the prospective antimicrobial assessment services aims to provide patient level support to clinicians in antimicrobial decision making.

Combating antimicrobial resistance requires a united, multidisciplinary approach. By championing judicious antimicrobial use and reinforcing infection prevention, together, we can help preserve the effectiveness of these life-saving medicines for future generations.

Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed annually on November 20, is a tribute to the memory of two-spirit, non-binary, ...
11/20/2025

Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed annually on November 20, is a tribute to the memory of two-spirit, non-binary, and transgender individuals whose lives were tragically lost due to acts of anti-transgender violence.

It's vital to recognize that within this community, BIPOC trans women and gender non-conforming individuals bear a disproportionate burden of this violence. Their lives are a testament to resilience and strength, but we must also acknowledge that anti-trans hate is deeply intertwined with other forms of oppression, including anti-Blackness, systemic racism, misogyny, classism, ableism, xenophobia, and more.

Anti-trans violence and hate have specifically impacted Halifax and the Maritimes. These hateful protests violate the right of Canadian trans people to live free of harassment and transphobia. These instances demand collective action from our community, calling on allies to join forces to protect and love our trans friends.

At IWK, we uphold a duty of care. We are committed to proactively preventing actions or oversights that might harm others, and we are dedicated to our mission to create welcoming and secure spaces for everyone who walks through our doors. Our commitment extends to fighting against all forms of discrimination and injustice, knowing that a more inclusive and equal world is still within reach.

Nova Scotia's Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-429-8167

Canada's Trans Lifeline is a free, 24-hour crisis hotline and peer support service for transgender people.
Call 1-877-330-6366 or visit translifeline.org/hotline

11/19/2025

Tomorrow’s the day! 🎉
If you haven’t registered yet, this is your last chance to join our National Child Day programming.
Be part of a nationwide celebration of children’s rights, youth voices, and community action. 💙

📩 If you've already registered, keep an eye out in your inbox for your access links, we will be sending them out shortly.

Register today!

This week, for National Addictions Awareness Week, the Mental Health & Addictions team at IWK Health is standing with yo...
11/18/2025

This week, for National Addictions Awareness Week, the Mental Health & Addictions team at IWK Health is standing with youth, families, and our community as we reflect on opportunities to break stigma and promote compassionate, evidence-based care.

IWK Health provides addictions services for children and youth under 19. We’re also expanding access to support through the launch of Anchor Youth Spaces across Nova Scotia, with three of eight sites now open, offering youth-friendly, walk-in access to care and community supports.

If you or someone you care about needs support, you can contact IWK Health’s Central Referral line at 1-855-922-1122 or the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167.

You can also book an appointment for mental health and addictions services at prebooking.nshealth.ca.

For more information about National Addictions Awareness Week, visit the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction webpage: www.ccsa.ca.

11/18/2025

Every year, thousands of Nova Scotians book free appointments through the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Intake Line (1-855-922-1122) for support with their mental health. To help Nova Scotians get more timely care, a new, innovative program launched in July. Through our partnership with private clinicians, more mood and anxiety appointments can be offered through the intake line.

More options means shorter wait times and more timely care for Nova Scotians. This is just one example of how Nova Scotians have more access to universal addictions and mental health care.

Other programs offered as part of universal access include supports delivered through our partners at the IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health, programs offered at local community organizations, free counselling online at Access Wellness, walk-in support for substance use at Recovery Support Centres, walk-in help for youth at Anchor Youth Spaces, and much more.

To learn more about what’s available near you, call 211 or visit https://www.yourhealthns.ca/

World Prematurity Day is observed on November 17 each year to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of prete...
11/17/2025

World Prematurity Day is observed on November 17 each year to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families worldwide. Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year, accounting for about one in 10 of all babies born worldwide.

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5850/5980 University Avenue
Halifax, NS
B3H1V7

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Our Story

The IWK Health Centre provides quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritimes and beyond.

In addition to providing highly specialized (tertiary) care, the IWK also provides primary care services.

The IWK is engaged in leading-edge research; works to promote healthy lifestyles for families; and supports education opportunities for health professionals and other learners.

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