Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Generally, weekday mornings (before 10 a.m.) and mid-week days tend to be less busy at most urban emergency departments. However, as a regional trauma and cardiac referral centre, volume and acuity at this ED can be unpredictable at any hour.
Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. As with most large urban EDs in Canada, evenings (6–10 p.m.), weekends, and public holidays typically see higher volumes. Because this campus is the region's only adult trauma centre, surge periods are difficult to predict — arrival time has less impact on wait times here than the severity and complexity of incoming cases.
The Ottawa Hospital – Civic Campus operates a 24/7 emergency department at 1053 Carling Avenue in Ottawa, Ontario, serving approximately 210–230 patients per day. As the region's only adult-care trauma centre, it handles the most critical trauma, cardiac, and stroke cases for Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais region of Quebec, and eastern Nunavut. Affiliated with the University of Ottawa and home to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, this high-acuity facility is best suited for serious, life-threatening, or complex medical emergencies.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Adult trauma centre (only one in the region), Cardiac care and intervention (University of Ottawa Heart Institute on-site), Regional stroke care centre, Surgical and medical specialties, Triage nursing assessment on arrival, Spoken language interpretation (free), ASL and LSQ sign language interpretation (free), University teaching hospital with simulation-based training centre.
Amenities
Tim Hortons (main entrance) – open 24/7
Second Cup (main level) – open daily 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tulip Café cafeteria (main level) – open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pharmacy (main level) – Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 613-761-4157
ATMs at main entrance lobby (near Tim Hortons) and Employee Corner (near Tulip Café)
Chapel in C lobby near elevators (look for stained glass windows)
Gift shop, flower shop, art gallery/auxiliary shop, and lottery kiosk (main level)
Wheelchairs available at main entrance and Emergency Department
Volunteer information desk (main entrance, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Accessible washrooms throughout campus
Personal amplifiers (Pocket Talkers) available for patients with hearing needs
Park in lot P-7 off Carling Avenue if you are going directly to the Emergency Department — it is the closest lot to the ED entrance.
This is a high-volume, high-acuity trauma centre; expect longer wait times due to the complexity and severity of cases triaged here. Patients with less urgent conditions may be seen after those with life-threatening emergencies.
If you require a language interpreter or ASL/LSQ interpretation, notify Emergency Department staff immediately upon arrival — this free service must be arranged quickly to support your care.
The 24/7 Tim Hortons at the main entrance is a reliable option for food or coffee during long waits, especially overnight when other cafeteria options are closed.
For feedback or concerns about your care, contact Patient Relations at 613-798-5555 ext. 13377.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Ontario Health Card (OHIP card) or other provincial health coverage card
List of all current medications, including dosages
Any relevant medical history, previous test results, or referral documents
Provincial or private insurance information if applicable
Payment method for parking (credit or debit card accepted at exit gate)
Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
Comfortable clothing and a light layer, as waiting areas can be cool
Parking
Parking lot P-7 (surface) is located directly across from the Emergency Department off Carling Avenue. Additional options include P-1 (covered), north of the Main Entrance near Ruskin Street, and P-2 (surface), north of the Heart Institute. Pay inside the main building at pay machines near main entrances, or at the exit gate by credit or debit card. Accessible parking spaces are available in all lots. Multi-visit parking passes with in-and-out privileges are available and transferable between patients and families. Street parking in the surrounding area is limited.
Getting There
The Civic Campus is accessible via OC Transpo bus routes along Carling Avenue. Use the OC Transpo trip planner to find the best route. Accessible transit options including Para Transpo and low-floor buses serve the area. The hospital has accessible entrances, automatic door openers, elevators, and wheelchairs available at the main entrance and Emergency Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus the only adult trauma centre in the region?
Yes. The Civic Campus Emergency Department is the only adult-care trauma centre serving Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais region of Quebec, and eastern Nunavut. It handles the most critical trauma cases referred from a very large geographic area.
Is the University of Ottawa Heart Institute part of this campus?
Yes. The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is physically located at the Civic Campus and is integrated into its cardiac care services. The campus serves as the regional centre for both cardiac and stroke care.
Where should I park if I am going to the Emergency Department?
Lot P-7, a surface lot off Carling Avenue directly across from the Emergency Department, is the most convenient option. You can also use P-1 (covered) or P-2 (surface) for other campus entrances. Payment is by machine inside the building or by credit/debit at the exit gate.
Can I get a language interpreter at the Emergency Department?
Yes. Free spoken language interpretation and sign language interpretation in both ASL and LSQ are available at no cost. If you need an interpreter, notify Emergency Department staff immediately upon arrival so the service can be arranged promptly.
Is there food available overnight at the Civic Campus?
Yes. The Tim Hortons located at the main entrance is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it the only food option during overnight hours. The Second Cup and Tulip Café have more limited daytime hours.
Should I go to the Civic Campus ER for a minor illness or injury?
The Civic Campus ED is designed for serious medical emergencies that cannot wait for a family physician. Given its role as a high-volume regional trauma and cardiac centre, patients with minor or non-urgent concerns may face significant wait times and may be better served by an Urgent Care Centre or walk-in clinic in Ottawa.
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.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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