Queensway Carleton Hospital

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.

About Queensway Carleton Hospital

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 Department, Critical Care / ICU, Childbirth and Obstetrics, Mental Health Services, Geriatric Care (34-bed Acute Care of the Elderly unit), Medical and Surgical Services, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre (radiation and chemotherapy), Hemodialysis (15-station unit), Diagnostic Imaging (MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, biopsy), Outpatient Mental Health Program, Ottawa Diabetes Education Program, Palliative Care, Ambulatory Care Centre, 10-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

Other Care Options

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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

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. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.