It’s an announcement residents of the Tri-Counties have been waiting for at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.

A tender to get work started on the expansion of the emergency department at the hospital will go out in a few months.

Service Nova Scotia Minister Colton LeBlanc and MLA for Argyle revealed details in Yarmouth on Friday.

“Nova Scotians deserve to receive more care, faster in the best facilities we can offer,” explains Minister Colton LeBlanc. “This expansion will help people living in the region to feel at ease knowing care will be there when they need it and to support our efforts to recruit and retain talented and dedicated health professionals to the area.”

Argyle MLA Colton LeBlanc announces a tender for construction of new Yarmouth emergency department will go out in the spring. (Acadia News Photo)

The project includes doubling the size of the emergency department and upgrading the emergency power supply for the entire facility.

“Our entire team is pleased with this progress towards a larger, modern emergency department. We all know the challenges of working to provide safe, quality care in a dated, crowded space. We are looking forward to working in a bright, modern emergency department that will provide an improved patient experience, as well as a better work environment for healthcare providers.” said Dr. Paul Legere, Emergency Department Lead in Yarmouth.

Currently, the facility can care for 14 people at a time and handle two ambulances.

The expanded emergency department will be able to care for 30 people and handle four ambulances.

About $2.5 million has been invested in the project so far, in design and engineering and the new emergency department is scheduled to open in 2027.