Hôpital de Gatineau, located at 909 Boulevard La Vérendrye Ouest in Gatineau, QC, is a major regional hospital whose emergency department specializes in three priority populations: pregnant women and obstetric emergencies, children aged 0–17, and persons with urgent mental health needs. It is also the designated Centralized Psychiatric Emergency Service hub for the entire Outaouais region, serving approximately 380,000 residents. Adults with general urgent concerns not related to these specialties are typically directed to Hôpital de Hull or Hôpital de Papineau in Buckingham — confirm your presenting concern before visiting.
Services & Specialties
Obstetric and perinatal emergency care, Pediatric emergency care (ages 0–17), Centralized Psychiatric Emergency Service (regional hub for all of Outaouais), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatology and maternity/perinatal care, Palliative care, Oncology (adult patients, Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue), General surgery, Internal medicine, Orthopedic surgery, Neurosurgery, Vascular surgery, ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery, Anesthesiology, Obstetrics-gynecology, Geriatrics, Nephrology, Radiation oncology, Social pediatrics, Family medicine (McGill-affiliated training site).
This ED prioritizes obstetric/perinatal emergencies, pediatric patients (ages 0–17), and psychiatric crises — if your concern falls outside these areas, you will likely be redirected to Hôpital de Hull or Hôpital de Papineau (Buckingham), so confirm before visiting.
For psychiatric emergencies anywhere in the Outaouais region, Hôpital de Gatineau is the centralized hub — this is the correct facility to attend.
Call the hospital at 819-966-6100 ahead of your visit to confirm your presenting concern falls within the ED's scope and to get current direction.
General visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Palliative Care visitors may come at any time, and Intensive Care has its own schedule — call ahead if visiting a patient in a specialized unit.
Both English and French services are available, so you can communicate with staff in either official language.
What to Bring
Quebec health insurance card (carte d'assurance maladie / RAMQ card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications and dosages
Provincial or private drug insurance card
Any relevant medical records or recent test results
Method of payment for parking (cash, debit, or Visa/Mastercard)
Comfortable clothing and a light blanket or sweater for waiting
A charged phone or book to pass time during triage and wait periods
Parking
Paid on-site parking is available, managed by the Société des Parcs Automobiles du Québec (SPAQ). Take a ticket at the entrance and pay at indoor payment terminals or at the exit via express payment. Accepted methods include cash, debit, Visa, and Mastercard. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes can be purchased at parking meters or at SPAQ service points on site. The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Getting There
Hôpital de Gatineau is directly served by public transit on Boulevard La Vérendrye. The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) operates bus routes throughout Gatineau and the Outaouais region — check the STO website or app for routes and schedules to the hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hôpital de Gatineau emergency department treat all adults?
No — the ED at Hôpital de Gatineau is specifically structured to serve three priority groups: pregnant women with obstetric emergencies, children and youth aged 0–17, and individuals with urgent psychiatric or mental health needs. Adult patients with other urgent medical concerns are directed to Hôpital de Hull or Hôpital de Papineau in Buckingham. If you are unsure, call 819-966-6100 before attending.
Is Hôpital de Gatineau the right place to go for a mental health crisis in the Outaouais region?
Yes. Hôpital de Gatineau is the designated Centralized Psychiatric Emergency Service for the entire Outaouais region. Whether you are in Gatineau or elsewhere in the region, this hospital is the appropriate facility for urgent psychiatric and mental health emergencies.
What hospital should I go to for a general adult emergency in Gatineau?
For general adult emergencies not related to obstetrics, pediatrics, or psychiatry, patients in the CISSS de l'Outaouais network are directed to Hôpital de Hull or Hôpital de Papineau (Buckingham). Call 819-966-6100 for guidance if you are uncertain which facility is best for your situation.
Does Hôpital de Gatineau offer services in English?
Yes. Both English and French services are available at Hôpital de Gatineau. You can communicate with clinical and administrative staff in either official language.
Is there parking at Hôpital de Gatineau, and how does it work?
Yes, paid on-site parking is available and managed by SPAQ (Société des Parcs Automobiles du Québec). Take a ticket at the entrance barrier and pay at indoor terminals or the exit. Payment is accepted by cash, debit, Visa, or Mastercard. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are also available.
What specialized training and teaching programs are based at Hôpital de Gatineau?
Hôpital de Gatineau is a McGill University-accredited training site offering residency programs in Anesthesiology, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, as well as additional clinical training in Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Nephrology, Palliative Care, Radiation Oncology, Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Social Pediatrics, ENT Surgery, and Vascular Surgery.
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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