HÔPITAL DE CHICOUTIMI

Location & Access

305 Rue Saint-Vallier, Saguenay, QC G7H 5H6

On-site parking is available for patients and visitors, with spaces near hospital entrances reserved exclusively for patient and visitor use. A dedicated 630-space multi-level parking structure has been built for hospital staff, ensuring that surface parking close to the entrances remains accessible to those visiting for care. Parking fees may apply. Access is controlled by barriers.

The hospital is served by the Société de transport du Saguenay (STS), which operates local bus routes throughout the Chicoutimi area. A covered, heated bus terminal connected to the hospital is planned as part of the new surgical block expansion. Check the STS website or call the hospital at 418-541-1000 for current route information.

About HÔPITAL DE CHICOUTIMI

Hôpital de Chicoutimi, located at 305 Rue Saint-Vallier in Saguenay, is the primary regional referral hospital for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean area, serving a catchment that extends across more than 95,000 km². As part of the CIUSSS du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and a designated Centre affilié universitaire régional affiliated with the Université de Sherbrooke and the Université de Montréal, it offers a full spectrum of emergency, inpatient, and specialist care with residents and medical students continuously on site. Patients requiring advanced or specialized care from across the region — including Jonquière, La Baie, and Lac-Saint-Jean — are regularly referred here, making it the highest level of hospital care available in the Saguenay region.

Services & Specialties

24/7 emergency department, Inpatient hospital care, Outpatient specialty clinics, Surgical services (major expansion underway), Family medicine, Medical specialist consultations, On-site pharmacy, Pastoral care / spiritual care services, Teaching and academic medicine (university-affiliated).

Amenities

• Cafeteria (on-site — contact hospital for current hours)
• ATM / bank machine
• On-site pharmacy
• Post office
• Boutique La Marinière (gift and retail shop)
• Pastoral care services
• Nearby lodging: Hôtellerie Desjardins (for out-of-town patients and families)

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: Emergency departments in Canada are generally less congested in the early morning hours (between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.) on weekdays. If your condition is urgent but not life-threatening, arriving earlier in the day on a weekday may result in shorter waits. For non-emergency concerns, consider whether a CLSC walk-in clinic in the Saguenay area might be more appropriate.

Busier times: Emergency departments across Canada tend to be busiest on Monday mornings, Friday evenings, and throughout weekends, as well as during holidays and flu season (November through March). If possible, avoid these peak periods for non-urgent concerns.

Tips Before You Go

• Call 418-541-1000 before visiting if you are unsure whether the emergency department or an outpatient clinic is more appropriate for your situation — staff can direct you to the right service.
• Parking near the hospital entrances is reserved for patients and visitors; do not park in the employee multi-level structure if you are attending as a patient.
• If you are travelling from Lac-Saint-Jean, La Baie, or a rural area, ask about Hôtellerie Desjardins nearby, which offers accommodation for patients and families coming from out of town.
• Services are available in both French and English — you may request care in either official language.
• For quality of care concerns or complaints, the hospital's complaints commissioner can be reached at 418-541-7026 or toll-free at 1-877-662-3963.
• As a university-affiliated teaching hospital, expect that residents, medical students, or other health professional trainees may be involved in your care alongside attending physicians.

What to Bring

• Valid provincial health card (Carte Soleil / RAMQ card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, including dosages
• List of known allergies
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or imaging you have at home
• Health insurance information (for out-of-province or international visitors)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
• Snacks, water, and a light jacket or blanket for comfort during extended waits

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.