the Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus

Best Times to Visit

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.

About the Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus

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

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• 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

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.