Medical Services

Nantucket Cottage Hospital is the island's primary healthcare facility and serves as the medical hub for both residents and visitors. Despite its quaint name, this is a modern, full-service hospital that provides comprehensive medical care.

Services Available

• 24/7 Emergency Room staffed by board-certified physicians
• Inpatient care and observation units
• Surgical services for routine and emergency procedures
• Diagnostic imaging including X-ray, CT, and MRI
• Laboratory services
• Primary care and family medicine
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Women's health services

Contact Information

The hospital is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, ensuring access to specialist consultations and transfer capabilities when needed for complex cases.

For non-emergency medical issues that can't wait for a scheduled appointment, visitors have several options:

• Nantucket Cottage Hospital Emergency Room: While it's a full ER, they also handle urgent care situations. Wait times can vary based on true emergencies taking priority.
• Primary Care Walk-Ins: The hospital's primary care practice may accommodate same-day visits for minor illnesses and injuries when availability permits.
• Telehealth Services: Many visitors find telehealth consultations useful for minor issues, prescription refills, or medical advice. Check with your insurance provider for covered options.

For minor ailments like sunburn, insect bites, or mild stomach issues, the local pharmacies can often provide over-the-counter remedies and helpful advice.

The island has two main pharmacies where you can fill prescriptions and purchase over-the-counter medications:

Island Pharmacy

A full-service independent pharmacy located in downtown Nantucket. Island Pharmacy offers prescription filling, over-the-counter medications, first aid supplies, and health and beauty products. The pharmacists are knowledgeable and can provide guidance on common ailments.

• Location: Downtown Nantucket, easy walking distance from most hotels
• Services: Prescription filling, consultations, OTC medications
• Note: May have limited hours on Sundays and holidays

Nantucket Pharmacy (Stop & Shop)

Located inside the Stop & Shop grocery store, this pharmacy offers convenient access to prescription services along with your grocery shopping. It's a good option if you need both prescriptions and basic supplies.

• Location: Stop & Shop, Pleasant Street
• Services: Prescription filling, limited OTC selection in-store
• Advantage: Convenient one-stop shopping

As a small island community, Nantucket has some inherent limitations when it comes to specialized medical care:

What's Available on Island

• General practitioners and family medicine
• Basic surgical capabilities
• Emergency medicine specialists
• Some visiting specialists on rotating schedules

What May Require Off-Island Travel

• Complex surgeries and specialized procedures
• Certain specialist consultations (cardiology, neurology, oncology)
• Advanced trauma care
• Childbirth (the hospital recommends expectant mothers near their due date be on the mainland)

Medical Flights and Transfers

For serious medical emergencies or conditions requiring specialized care, patients can be transferred to Cape Cod or Boston hospitals. Medical flights via helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft are available for critical situations. The hospital coordinates all emergency transfers with mainland medical facilities.

This is perhaps the most important advice for visitors with ongoing medical needs:

• Bring more than you need: Pack enough medication for your entire trip plus several extra days in case of travel delays due to weather or ferry cancellations.
• Limited inventory: Island pharmacies may not stock all medications, especially less common prescriptions. Even common medications may occasionally be out of stock.
• Transfer prescriptions early: If you need to transfer a prescription, do so before you arrive. Allow extra time for the pharmacy to receive and fill it.
• Keep medications accessible: Pack essential medications in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage, in case of delays or lost bags.
• Bring documentation: Carry a list of your medications, dosages, and prescribing doctor's contact information.

Save these numbers in your phone before your trip:

The 911 system on Nantucket works the same as anywhere in the United States. For any life-threatening emergency, always call 911 first. The dispatch center coordinates all emergency services on the island.