CRSSS DE LA BAIE-JAMES

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. As a general guideline, weekday mornings tend to be less busy than evenings, weekends, and holidays at most emergency departments. For non-urgent issues, consider calling ahead to discuss whether the ER is the most appropriate point of care.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Emergency departments in remote northern hospitals can experience surges following community events, extreme weather periods, or when staff resources are concentrated on complex transfers. Evenings and weekends may be busier; call ahead at 418-748-6435 if your situation is not immediately life-threatening.

About CRSSS DE LA BAIE-JAMES

The Centre de santé de Chibougamau, operated by the CRSSS de la Baie-James, serves as the primary emergency care facility for the vast Nord-du-Québec sociosanitary region (Region 10) — the only establishment of its kind in this remote northern territory. Located in Chibougamau, QC, this hospital provides around-the-clock emergency services to residents across an enormous geographic area, including surrounding communities and Indigenous populations. Patients requiring highly specialized or complex care may be transferred to referral centres in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, so it is advisable to call ahead for guidance on serious conditions.

Services & Specialties

24/7 emergency department, General emergency and acute care, Diagnosis and treatment services, CLSC (community health centre) services, Rehabilitation services, Long-term and residential care (CHSLD Boréal), Health promotion and prevention programs, Patient transfer coordination to specialized centres, Community health and social services.

Amenities

• Contact the facility directly at 418-748-6435 or 418-748-2676 for cafeteria hours
• ATM availability not publicly confirmed — call ahead to verify
• On-site pharmacy availability not publicly confirmed
• Wi-Fi availability not publicly confirmed
• Chapel or spiritual care availability not publicly confirmed

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

• Call 418-748-6435 or 418-748-2676 before visiting to confirm available services, especially for specialized conditions that may require transfer.
• As the only health facility in the entire Nord-du-Québec region, this ER handles a wide range of cases — arrive early in the day for non-urgent concerns when possible.
• If you may require specialized cardiac, stroke, or trauma care, be aware that higher-level services are provided at referral centres in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region and transfers can be arranged.
• Bring warm clothing and sufficient supplies if travelling from a remote community, as wait times and potential transfer logistics may take several hours.
• Administrative services are available Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but emergency care is available at all times.

What to Bring

• Quebec health insurance card (RAMQ card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications and dosages
• List of known allergies
• Provincial health referral or transfer documents if applicable
• Personal snacks, water, and warm layers for extended waits
• Emergency contact information and next-of-kin details
• Any relevant medical records or test results from previous visits

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.