HÔPITAL DU CENTRE-DE-LA-MAURICIE

Location & Access

50 119E Rue, Shawinigan, QC G9P 5K1

Paid on-site parking is available. Visitors take a ticket upon arrival and pay at the parking meter (horodateur) before departure. Payment is accepted by credit card or debit card. Parking rates are listed under 'Tarifs des stationnements pour usagers et visiteurs' on the CIUSSS MCQ website at ciusssmcq.ca.

The hospital is located in central Shawinigan and is accessible via local public transit. For current bus routes and stop details, consult the Réseau de transport de la Mauricie (RTM).

About HÔPITAL DU CENTRE-DE-LA-MAURICIE

Hôpital du Centre-de-la-Mauricie is a high-capacity regional hospital located in Shawinigan, QC, operating under the university-affiliated CIUSSS MCQ network. Its emergency department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, staffed by physicians and specialized nurse practitioners (IPS) serving the Shawinigan area and surrounding Mauricie communities. As a large regional facility, it offers a broad scope of care including surgical, oncological, diagnostic imaging, and mental health services, making it the primary acute care destination for residents of the region.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Oncology (hemato-oncology, radio-oncology, breast cancer surgery), Diagnostic Radiology (ultrasound, CT scan, MRI), Interventional and Nuclear Medicine Imaging, Mental Health Services (youth and adult), Prenatal, Perinatal, and Postnatal Care, Youth Services (ages 0–21), Specialist Consultations (cardiology, dermatology, surgery, and more), Substance Abuse Treatment and Community Support, Vasectomy and Ostomy Care, Nurse Practitioner (IPS) Care.

Amenities

• Wheelchair accessible facility
• On-site paid parking with debit/credit payment
• Contact hospital at 819-536-7500 to confirm cafeteria, pharmacy, ATM, and Wi-Fi availability

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. Generally, emergency department volumes tend to be lower on weekday mornings between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. If your condition is not life-threatening, visiting during these off-peak hours may result in shorter waits.

Busier times: No historical data is available to pinpoint the busiest periods at this specific ED. As a general rule, evenings (5 p.m.–10 p.m.), weekends, and holidays typically see higher patient volumes at most emergency departments. Consider these times may involve longer waits.

Tips Before You Go

• This hospital operates primarily in French — if you have limited French proficiency, arrange for a translator or bring a bilingual support person if possible.
• Call the hospital at 819-536-7500 before your visit to confirm service availability or ask about wait times.
• Take a parking ticket on arrival and pay at the on-site meter (horodateur) before you leave — payment by credit or debit card is accepted.
• For non-emergency concerns, explore whether a CLSC or community health centre in the CIUSSS MCQ network can address your needs more quickly.
• Specialized nurse practitioners (IPS) work alongside physicians in the ED, which can help reduce wait times for a greater number of patients.

What to Bring

• Quebec health insurance card (carte d'assurance maladie / RAMQ card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Provincial drug insurance card or private insurance information
• Contact information for your family doctor or specialist
• Comfortable clothing and a warm layer — ED waiting areas can be cool
• Snacks, water, and entertainment for potentially long waits
• A support person or translator if you require language assistance

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.