Patients in the Ottawa area may also consider other Ottawa-area hospitals for emergency care, including those located in the downtown core or eastern parts of the city, depending on proximity and transport availability.
Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) is west Ottawa's only full-service hospital, operating the busiest single-site emergency department in Eastern Ontario with nearly 78,000 ED visits per year. Located at 3045 Baseline Rd, the 355-bed acute care facility serves Ottawa's west end and acts as the secondary referral centre for the Ottawa Valley, offering comprehensive emergency, critical care, surgical, and specialty services. Anyone requiring emergency care can walk in without a referral, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency DepartmentCritical Care / ICUChildbirth and ObstetricsMental Health ServicesGeriatric Care (34-bed Acute Care of the Elderly unit)Medical and Surgical ServicesRehabilitation and PhysiotherapyIrving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre (radiation and chemotherapy)Hemodialysis (15-station unit)Diagnostic Imaging (MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, biopsy)Outpatient Mental Health ProgramOttawa Diabetes Education ProgramPalliative CareAmbulatory Care Centre10-suite Operating Room complex
Amenities
Cafeteria (The James Beach Cafeteria, Level 1)
ATM (Level 1)
On-site pharmacy
On-site laboratory
Occupational Therapy services
Speech Language Pathology
Cardiopulmonary Services
Sleep Lab
Volunteer Services
Home & Community Care office
Epic Electronic Health Records system
TTY line for hearing-impaired callers (613-721-4717)
Wheelchair-accessible entrances
Parking & Transit
Ample on-site parking is available at 3045 Baseline Rd, including designated accessible spaces and wheelchair-accessible entrances. The facility uses a gated automated parking system. A separate staff parking garage exists on-site. Parking revenue is reinvested into hospital operations and patient care. For current hourly and daily rates, visit qch.on.ca/parking as rates are subject to change.
Queensway Carleton Hospital is served by multiple OC Transpo bus routes including routes 57, 68, 88, 646, 658, 660, 661, 669, and 688. A dedicated bus stop — 'Queensway Carleton / Emergency' — is located directly at the ED entrance. Route 88, a Frequent service route, connects the hospital to Baseline Station and O-Train Line 2 (Mooney's Bay) and Line 1 (Hurdman Station).
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
ERs are generally less busy in the early morning hours, typically between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays. If your condition is urgent but not life-threatening, visiting mid-morning on a weekday tends to mean shorter waits than evenings or weekends. Always call 911 or go immediately for life-threatening emergencies regardless of time.
🔴 Busier times
As the busiest single-site emergency department in Eastern Ontario, QCH's ED sees peak volumes on weekday evenings (5 p.m.–10 p.m.) and throughout weekends, when people who've delayed seeking care during work hours tend to arrive. Monday evenings are typically among the busiest times at most urban ERs. Avoid non-emergency visits during these windows when possible.
Tips Before You Go
A dedicated OC Transpo bus stop called 'Queensway Carleton / Emergency' drops passengers directly at the ED entrance — use Route 88 for frequent service connections to the O-Train.
QCH is west Ottawa's only full-service hospital, so the ED can be busy. If your condition is non-life-threatening, consider checking real-time wait times before heading in.
Hearing-impaired patients or callers can reach the hospital via the TTY line at 613-721-4717.
The on-site Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre means cancer-related emergency concerns can be handled within the same campus, reducing the need for transfers.
Accessible parking is available close to the wheelchair-accessible entrance — plan to arrive via the Baseline Rd main entrance for easiest ED access.
QCH uses the Epic Electronic Health Records system, so if you receive care elsewhere in a connected network, your records may be available to your care team here.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, recent test results, or imaging
Insurance information (for non-OHIP-covered services or out-of-province visitors)
Phone charger or portable battery pack for a long wait
Comfortable clothing and a light jacket (ERs can be cold)
A trusted support person or caregiver if your condition permits
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to visit the Queensway Carleton Hospital Emergency Department?
No. Anyone requiring emergency health care can walk into QCH's Emergency Department without a medical referral, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How busy is the Queensway Carleton Hospital ER?
QCH's Emergency Department is the busiest single-site emergency department in Eastern Ontario, recording nearly 78,000 visits per year. Wait times can vary significantly depending on patient volume and acuity.
What bus routes serve Queensway Carleton Hospital?
Multiple OC Transpo routes serve the hospital, including routes 57, 68, 88, 646, 658, 660, 661, 669, and 688. Route 88 is a Frequent service route with connections to Baseline Station and the O-Train. A dedicated stop called 'Queensway Carleton / Emergency' is located directly at the ED entrance.
Is there parking at Queensway Carleton Hospital?
Yes. Ample on-site parking is available at 3045 Baseline Rd, including designated accessible spots. The hospital uses a gated automated parking system. For current parking rates, visit qch.on.ca/parking.
Does Queensway Carleton Hospital have a cancer centre on-site?
Yes. The Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre (IGFCC) is located on the QCH campus and offers cancer diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and ambulatory support, including three radiation treatment machines and 33 chemotherapy spaces.
Is Queensway Carleton Hospital accessible for patients with disabilities?
Yes. QCH features wheelchair-accessible entrances, designated accessible parking spaces, and a TTY line (613-721-4717) for hearing-impaired callers. Contact the hospital directly at 613-721-2000 to confirm specific accessibility accommodations for your visit.
About ER Wait Times
Emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Ontario health data using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.