HÔPITAL DU HAUT-RICHELIEU

Best Times to Visit

About HÔPITAL DU HAUT-RICHELIEU

Hôpital du Haut-Richelieu is a large regional hospital located at 920 Boulevard Du Séminaire Nord in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, serving the Haut-Richelieu-Rouville territory as part of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre network. With 295 beds, 228 physicians, and more than 2,000 employees, its emergency department is the second busiest in the Montérégie region and ranks among the most visited in all of Quebec. The hospital offers a full spectrum of general and specialized care — including surgery, oncology, cardiology, nephrology, and obstetrics — making it the primary destination for serious and complex medical needs in the region.

Services & Specialties

Emergency department (24/7) with 37 stretcher beds, General and specialized surgery (6 operating rooms), Oncology — Centre intégré de cancérologie de la Montérégie (CICM), Nephrology and hemodialysis (24 stations), Peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis programs, Cardiology, Neurology, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Dermatology, Obstetrics, labour and delivery, Physical rehabilitation, Endoscopy, Medical imaging: X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, CT scan, Outpatient psychiatry, Detoxification services, Sexual assault designated care centre, Inpatient hospitalization.

Amenities

• On-site food services / cafeteria (specific hours not confirmed — call 450-359-5000)
• University teaching hospital affiliated with Université de Sherbrooke and Université de Montréal
• Bilingual services available in French and English
• ATM availability not confirmed — contact hospital directly
• Pharmacy availability not confirmed — contact hospital directly
• Wi-Fi availability not confirmed — contact hospital directly
• Chapel availability not confirmed — contact hospital directly

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

• This ER is the 2nd busiest in Montérégie and one of the most visited in Quebec — expect longer wait times and bring snacks, water, and something to pass the time.
• For simple X-rays such as knee or chest imaging, no appointment is needed — walk-ins are accepted between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. All other medical imaging exams require a referral and appointment.
• Keep your parking ticket with you at all times inside the hospital and pay at a pay station before heading back to your vehicle — the ticket is required to open the exit barrier.
• If you are visiting a patient, note that a maximum of two visitors plus one informal caregiver are permitted at the same time.
• If your condition is non-urgent, consider calling 811 (Info-Santé) before coming to the ER — a nurse can advise whether an ER visit is necessary or if another care option is more appropriate.
• Services are available in both French and English, so do not hesitate to communicate in your preferred official language.

What to Bring

• Valid health insurance card (RAMQ card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications and dosages
• List of known allergies
• Health insurance or supplemental coverage information
• Snacks and a water bottle (waits may be lengthy)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack
• Comfortable clothing and a sweater or jacket (waiting areas can be cool)

Parking

Paid parking is available on-site near the Emergency department entrance. The first 2 hours are free. Rates are $6 for 2–4 hours and $10 for a full day. Pay stations are located at the main entrance and in the Emergency department — keep your ticket and pay before returning to your vehicle, as the ticket is required to exit. Patients who visit regularly may qualify for reduced rates; contact the parking office in room 1052, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Getting There

The hospital is accessible by Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu's public bus network. Residents in the Richelieu and Chambly sectors can also check transit options at www.monblus.ca. Confirm current route numbers and schedules with the local transit authority before your visit.

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.

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.