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Centre Hospitalier Robert-Giffard, now officially the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec (IUSMQ), is a specialized psychiatric hospital located on Chemin de la Canardière in the Beauport borough of Québec City. This facility provides comprehensive psychiatric care exclusively for adults aged 18 and over living with serious mental health disorders, and is affiliated with Université Laval. This is not a general emergency hospital — patients experiencing non-psychiatric emergencies such as cardiac events, trauma, or stroke should proceed to a general hospital emergency department such as Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus or Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement in Québec City.
Services & Specialties
Specialized adult psychiatry (18+), Psychotic disorders program, Anxiety and mood disorders program, Severe personality disorders program, Intellectual disability with psychopathology, Perinatal psychiatry, Geriatric psychiatry, Forensic psychiatry, Psychiatry and addiction program, Sexual behaviour disorder expertise and assessment, Electrocardiography (ECG), Holter monitoring, Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, Treadmill (stress) testing, Electroencephalography (EEG), Respiratory therapy and inhalotherapy.
Amenities
CERVO Brain Research Centre atrium (public space connecting F and S Pavilions)
On-site amphitheater (CERVO building)
Contact facility at 418-663-5321 for cafeteria, pharmacy, and Wi-Fi availability
This facility is a referral-based specialized psychiatric hospital — access to most services begins with a referral from your family doctor or through your local CLSC mental health access desk (guichet d'accès).
If you or someone you know is experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis, call 911 or go to the emergency department of a general hospital in Québec City such as Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus before contacting this facility.
For non-psychiatric emergencies (cardiac, trauma, stroke, pediatric), do not come to this facility — proceed immediately to a general emergency department in Québec City.
The institution is part of the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale network; your CLSC case worker can help coordinate your referral and first psychiatry appointment at IUSMQ.
When visiting a patient, contact the facility at 418-663-5321 in advance to confirm visiting hours, ward locations, and any current visitor guidelines.
What to Bring
Valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Provincial health insurance card (carte d'assurance maladie du Québec / RAMQ card)
Referral letter or documentation from your family doctor or CLSC if applicable
Complete list of current medications including dosages
Name and contact information of your family doctor or CLSC worker
Emergency contact name and phone number
Any relevant prior psychiatric or medical records
Comfortable clothing and personal items if an extended stay is anticipated
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centre Hospitalier Robert-Giffard a general emergency hospital?
No. Centre Hospitalier Robert-Giffard (now the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec / IUSMQ) is a specialized psychiatric hospital. It does not operate a general emergency department for trauma, cardiac, stroke, or pediatric emergencies. For those situations, go to a general hospital emergency department in Québec City such as Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus.
How do I access psychiatric services at IUSMQ (Centre Hospitalier Robert-Giffard)?
Access typically begins with a referral from your family doctor, who directs you to the mental health access desk (guichet d'accès) at your local CLSC. The CLSC worker then arranges an evaluation appointment with an IUSMQ psychiatrist, who determines the most appropriate specialized care for your needs.
What psychiatric programs are available at this facility?
The IUSMQ offers specialized programs for adults 18 and over, including care for psychotic disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, severe personality disorders, intellectual disability with psychopathology, perinatal psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, psychiatry and addiction, and assessment of sexual behaviour disorders.
What should I do if someone is in an acute psychiatric crisis right now?
Call 911 immediately or go to the emergency department of a general hospital in Québec City. The IUSMQ is a referral-based specialty facility and is not the appropriate first point of contact for an acute psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Is this facility affiliated with a university?
Yes. The Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec (IUSMQ) is affiliated with Université Laval and forms part of the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale network. The CERVO Brain Research Centre, also affiliated with Université Laval, is located on the same historic Robert-Giffard campus.
What is the history of Centre Hospitalier Robert-Giffard?
The site traces its origins to 1845 with the opening of the Asile provisoire de Beauport, the first psychiatric institution in Québec. The facility took the name Centre hospitalier Robert-Giffard in 1976, honouring the founder of Beauport and a pioneer of medicine in New France. In 2009 it was officially renamed the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec (IUSMQ).