CHU SAINTE-JUSTINE

Best Times to Visit

About CHU SAINTE-JUSTINE

CHU Sainte-Justine in Montréal is Canada's largest mother-and-child centre and one of the four most important pediatric centres in North America, offering 24/7 emergency care exclusively for children and mothers. As a Level 1 pediatric trauma centre affiliated with the Université de Montréal, it provides tertiary and quaternary care across all pediatric surgical specialties, oncology, organ transplantation, and obstetrics. Families from across Quebec — and beyond — are referred here for the most complex and critical pediatric and maternal cases.

Services & Specialties

Level 1 pediatric trauma centre, Pediatric emergency medicine, Obstetric emergency care, Pediatric cardiac surgery, Pediatric neurosurgery, Pediatric vascular surgery, Pediatric liver transplantation, Craniofacial surgery, Burn surgery, Pediatric oncology and hematology, Pediatric intensive care unit (30 ICU beds), Child and adolescent psychiatry, Chronic pain management (provincial reference centre), Developmental disorder management (provincial reference centre), Deafness detection (provincial reference centre), Palliative care for children and mothers, Pediatric rehabilitation (Centre de réadaptation Marie-Enfant).

Amenities

• Food court (Délipapilles brand)
• Cafeteria and restaurant options
• Vending machines and micro market
• Patient meal delivery service
• On-site pharmacy
• Gift shop
• ATM
• Playrooms and family lounges
• Accessible public restrooms
• Public art installations and culturally sensitive design
• Bilingual services (French and English)

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

Pharmacists in Quebec can assess and prescribe for dozens of common conditions. See what they can treat →

Compare hospital wait times across Canada. View all wait times →

Tips Before You Go

• Triage is priority-based — the sickest children are seen first regardless of arrival order, so expect variable wait times for non-urgent concerns.
• With over 82,000 ER visits per year, this is an extremely high-volume department. For minor or non-urgent issues, consider calling Info-Santé at 8-1-1 or visiting a walk-in clinic to reduce your wait.
• Waiting areas are limited in size — the hospital recommends keeping the number of accompanying family members to a minimum when possible to help manage space.
• Pack provisions for a potentially long wait: bring formula, baby food, diapers, and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for your child.
• CHU Sainte-Justine serves children and mothers only — adult patients in critical condition are transferred to partner hospitals such as the MUHC or CHUM. Ensure this is the right facility for your patient before travelling.

What to Bring

• Provincial health insurance card (RAMQ card)
• Photo ID for the accompanying parent or guardian
• List of current medications and dosages
• Formula, baby food, and diapers for infants
• Over-the-counter pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for extended waits
• Comfort items for the child (favourite toy, blanket, or book)
• Snacks and water for accompanying caregivers
• Any relevant medical records, previous test results, or specialist referral letters

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 Quebec health data. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.