Centre de Santé René-Ricard is a public CLSC and community health centre located at 32 3e Avenue in Chapais, in the remote Nord-du-Québec region, providing 24/7 emergency care to residents across a vast geographic territory. Operating under the CRSSS de la Baie-James, it serves as a frontline facility for Chapais and surrounding northern communities, offering general emergency services alongside a broad range of primary and social health programs. Patients requiring highly specialized care such as complex cardiac, trauma, or neurology services should be prepared for transfer to a larger regional facility, as this centre is best suited for urgent and primary care needs in this isolated northern setting.
Services & Specialties
24/7 emergency care, General clinical and primary care services, Public health programs, Mental health services, Addiction services including detoxification and outpatient rehabilitation, Social reinsertion support, Services for seniors and loss of autonomy, Services for youth and troubled youth, Physical and intellectual disability support (PDD), Family health services including newborn and young mother programs, Remote dermatology via video or phone conferencing, Remote rehabilitative care via video or phone conferencing, Remote pharmacy services via video or phone conferencing, Bilingual services (French and English).
Amenities
Remote pharmacy services available via video or phone conferencing
Call ahead at 418-745-2591 to confirm service availability, especially for specialist or non-emergency needs, as some services are delivered remotely via video or phone conferencing.
If you are travelling to Chapais from a distant northern community, plan your route along Provincial Route 113 and account for road and weather conditions, which can be severe in northern Quebec.
For complex or specialized conditions such as cardiac emergencies, stroke, or serious trauma, be aware that transfer to a larger facility — most likely in Chibougamau or further south — may be required.
Specialist consultations including dermatology and rehabilitative care are available remotely; ask staff about telehealth options if an in-person specialist is needed.
Given the remote setting and limited nearby alternatives, consider calling the centre before visiting for non-life-threatening concerns to determine the most appropriate care pathway.
What to Bring
Quebec health insurance card (RAMQ card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications and dosages
Any relevant medical history documents or prior test results
Emergency contact information
Health and drug insurance information if applicable
Personal comfort items for potential wait times (water, snacks, warm clothing)
Payment method for any applicable fees or prescription costs
Parking
No specific parking details are publicly documented for this facility. Given Chapais's small-town setting, on-site or nearby street-level parking is typical. Contact the centre directly at 418-745-2591 to confirm parking availability and any accessibility accommodations.
Getting There
No public transit routes serving Centre de Santé René-Ricard have been identified. Chapais is accessible via Provincial Route 113, one of the main road entry points to northern Quebec. Access to the facility is most practical by personal vehicle. Patients travelling from outside the area should plan their route in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Centre de Santé René-Ricard have a 24/7 emergency department?
Yes, Centre de Santé René-Ricard in Chapais provides emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, serving as the primary emergency facility for this remote northern Quebec community.
What health region does Centre de Santé René-Ricard belong to?
The centre is one of five health installations operated under the Centre régional de santé et de services sociaux (CRSSS) de la Baie-James, the sole health establishment serving the Nord-du-Québec socio-sanitary region (Region 10), which covers approximately 350,000 km².
Can I access specialist care at Centre de Santé René-Ricard?
Certain specialist services, including dermatology and rehabilitative care, are available remotely through video or phone conferencing. For in-person specialty care or complex conditions, patients may need to be referred to or transferred to a larger facility in Chibougamau or further south.
Does the centre offer services in English?
Yes, Centre de Santé René-Ricard provides health and social services in both French and English, reflecting the bilingual needs of communities in the Nord-du-Québec region.
What is the phone number for Centre de Santé René-Ricard in Chapais?
You can reach Centre de Santé René-Ricard at 418-745-2591. It is advisable to call ahead to confirm service availability, especially for non-emergency or specialized care needs.
What should I do if I need care that is beyond what Centre de Santé René-Ricard can provide?
If your condition requires highly specialized care such as complex cardiac intervention, trauma surgery, or advanced neurology, the centre's medical staff will coordinate a transfer to an appropriate regional facility. Given the remote location of Chapais, it is important to seek care promptly and let staff assess transfer needs early.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Quebec health data. Actual wait times may vary.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 42 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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