Centre de Santé de Chibougamau is the primary acute-care facility serving Chibougamau and the vast Jamésie region of northern Quebec, covering a territory of approximately 350,000 km². Operating under the CRSSS de la Baie-James — Quebec's first fully integrated health and social services establishment — this hospital provides a broad range of specialized services including obstetrics, surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, and diagnostic imaging 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residents of Chibougamau and surrounding remote communities rely on this facility as their main access point for emergency and specialized care, with highly complex cases typically transferred to larger urban centres such as Québec City.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Obstetrics and hospital delivery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Surgery and minor surgery, ECG (electrocardiogram), Diagnostic radiology and fluoroscopy, CT scan and tomography, Mammography, Detoxification services, Smoking cessation program, Contraception and emergency oral contraception, Designated centre for sexual assault victims (specialized services), Social adaptation supports, Home prescription collection, New injection material distribution (free of charge), On-site interpreter services.
Call ahead at 418-748-6435 to confirm availability of specific services, especially if travelling from a remote or outlying community within the Jamésie region.
For advanced cardiac care, Level I/II trauma, or other highly specialized procedures, be prepared for possible transfer to a larger centre such as Québec City — plan accordingly if your condition may require it.
All services at this facility are offered in French; if you require communication assistance, interpreter services are available on site — inform staff upon arrival.
The emergency department's stretcher occupancy is publicly tracked through Quebec's provincial ER monitoring portal, which can help you gauge current capacity before heading in.
If you use drugs and require new injection materials, this service is available free of charge at the facility without needing to visit the emergency department.
What to Bring
Quebec health insurance card (RAMQ card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
Provincial or private insurance information
Personal comfort items (water bottle, snacks, phone charger) in case of a longer wait
Warm clothing, as Chibougamau's climate can be very cold, especially when waiting or transferring
Emergency contact information for a family member or caregiver
Parking
Specific parking lot details for Centre de Santé de Chibougamau are not publicly documented. The facility is located on 3e Rue in central Chibougamau, with curb ramps installed at the intersection of 3e Rue and 2e Rue to improve pedestrian and accessibility access to the main entrance. Contact the facility directly at 418-748-6435 for current parking information.
Getting There
No formal public transit routes serve this facility directly. A dedicated two-way cycling path (242 m long, 3 m wide), separated from roadway traffic and equipped with lighting, runs alongside 3rd Street near the hospital, making active transportation a safe option. As Chibougamau is a remote northern community, most patients arrive by personal vehicle or taxi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Centre de Santé de Chibougamau have a 24/7 emergency department?
Yes, the emergency department at Centre de Santé de Chibougamau operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, and is listed as an active emergency room on Quebec's provincial emergency tracking system.
What specialized services are available at this Chibougamau hospital?
The hospital offers a broad range of specialized services including obstetrics, surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, gynecology, orthopedics, and full diagnostic imaging (CT scan, mammography, fluoroscopy, and radiology). It is also a designated centre for specialized services for sexual assault victims.
What health region does Centre de Santé de Chibougamau belong to?
The facility operates under the CRSSS de la Baie-James (Centre régional de santé et de services sociaux de la Baie-James), which is the first fully integrated health and social services establishment in Quebec. It serves a territory of approximately 350,000 km² across northern Quebec.
Will I be transferred to another hospital if I need highly specialized care?
For certain advanced procedures — such as Level I or II trauma care or complex cardiac interventions — patients may need to be transferred to a larger urban centre such as Québec City. The staff at Centre de Santé de Chibougamau will assess your condition and coordinate any necessary transfers.
Are interpreter services available at this hospital?
Yes, interpreter services are documented as available on site at Centre de Santé de Chibougamau. All services are offered in French; if you need language assistance, notify staff upon your arrival.
How can I check how busy the emergency department is before I go?
Quebec's provincial emergency room monitoring portal publicly tracks stretcher occupancy at Centre de Santé de Chibougamau in real time. You can also call the facility directly at 418-748-6435 to speak with staff about current conditions.
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 41 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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