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About CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE SAINTE-JUSTINE
The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine operates a dedicated 24/7 pediatric emergency department in Montréal, QC, seeing approximately 82,000 children per year. As Canada's largest mother and child centre and a Level 1 pediatric trauma centre, it provides tertiary and quaternary care across all pediatric specialties, including oncology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, organ transplantation, and neonatal intensive care. This ER serves infants, children, and adolescents, as well as obstetric patients — adults without a pediatric or maternal connection are not treated here.
Services & Specialties
Dedicated 24/7 pediatric emergency department, Level 1 pediatric trauma centre, Pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit (PICU/NICU), Pediatric cardiac surgery, Pediatric neurosurgery, Pediatric vascular surgery, Pediatric liver transplantation, Pediatric craniofacial surgery, Pediatric burn surgery, Pediatric oncology and hematology, Pediatric organ transplantation, Child psychiatry, High-risk pregnancy unit, Labour and delivery ward, Pediatric rehabilitation (Marie Enfant Rehabilitation Centre – CRME), Provincial reference centre for childhood deafness detection, Provincial reference centre for chronic pain management in children, Provincial reference centre for developmental disorders in children, Medical imaging, Nurse-led triage on arrival.
This ER treats only children and obstetric patients — adult patients without a maternal or pediatric connection will be redirected to another Montreal hospital such as the MUHC, CHUM, or Jewish General Hospital.
Bring your own supplies for your child, including formula, baby food, diapers, and any regular medication, as wait times for non-urgent cases can be lengthy.
To keep the waiting and exam areas as comfortable as possible for all families, limit the number of accompanying adults to those essential for the child's care.
For non-urgent health concerns, consider calling 8-1-1 (Info-Santé) or visiting a walk-in clinic before coming to the ER — this helps ensure emergency resources are available for the most critical cases.
The hospital is affiliated with Université de Montréal and operates as a major academic teaching centre; you may be seen by residents or medical students under physician supervision.
Take the STM bus or Metro to avoid parking costs — routes 129, 161, and 165 stop very close to the main entrance on Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine.
What to Bring
Provincial health insurance card (carte d'assurance maladie / RAMQ card)
Any private insurance information
Child's immunization record if relevant to the visit
List of current medications, dosages, and any known allergies
Diapers, formula, baby food, or any feeding supplies your child requires
Comfort items for your child such as a favourite toy, blanket, or pacifier
Snacks and drinks for accompanying parents or guardians
Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or specialist reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CHU Sainte-Justine treat adults in the emergency department?
No. CHU Sainte-Justine is exclusively a mother and child centre. The emergency department treats infants, children, and adolescents, as well as patients with obstetric conditions. Adults who do not have a pediatric or maternal reason for a visit are not treated here and will be directed to another Montreal hospital, such as the MUHC, CHUM, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, or the Jewish General Hospital.
How does triage work at the CHU Sainte-Justine ER?
Upon arrival, each child is assessed by a nurse who determines their level of clinical urgency. Patients are then seen by a physician in order of medical priority, not in order of arrival. Critically ill or injured children are seen first, which means wait times for less urgent cases can be quite long.
Is CHU Sainte-Justine a trauma centre for children?
Yes. CHU Sainte-Justine is a Level 1 pediatric trauma centre and is the provincial reference centre for several highly specialized pediatric procedures, including liver transplantation, craniofacial surgery, and burn surgery. It receives seriously injured and critically ill children from across the province of Quebec.
What transit options are available to reach the CHU Sainte-Justine ER?
The hospital is accessible by several STM bus routes (129, 16, 161, 165, 51) and is within walking distance of both the Blue Line (Édouard-Montpetit station, ~10 min) and Orange Line (Côte-des-Neiges station, ~16 min) Metro stations. The closest bus stop is at De La Côte-Sainte-Catherine / De La Côte-Des-Neiges, approximately a 5-minute walk from the main entrance.
What should I do if my child has a non-urgent health concern?
For non-emergency situations, CHU Sainte-Justine recommends calling the 8-1-1 Info-Santé line to speak with a nurse, or visiting a local walk-in clinic. This helps keep the ER available for the most critical pediatric cases and can result in faster care for your child.
Are services available in English at CHU Sainte-Justine?
Yes. Although CHU Sainte-Justine is a French-language institution affiliated with the Université de Montréal, services and signage are available in both French and English to accommodate anglophone families in Montréal.