Hôpital et CHSLD du Pontiac in Shawville, QC is a rural community hospital operated under CISSS de l'Outaouais, offering 24/7 emergency care with 4 functional stretcher bays suited for non-critical and moderate-acuity presentations. The facility serves residents across the Pontiac region in both English and French, providing general medical care, diagnostic services, and an ICU alongside a long-term care (CHSLD) component. Patients with complex surgical emergencies, trauma, cardiac events, strokes, or obstetrical needs are typically transferred to larger centres in Gatineau or Ottawa.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), General medical and diagnostic services, Walk-in blood draw (prélèvements) — weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with requisition, Long-term care (CHSLD) for non-autonomous elderly residents, Bilingual care (English and French), Federal Interim Health Program (PFSI) for eligible refugee claimants, Wheelchair-accessible facilities including elevator and ramp.
Amenities
Elevator access
Wheelchair ramp
Visiting hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily
Bilingual services (English and French)
Contact hospital directly at 819-647-2211 for cafeteria, ATM, pharmacy, and Wi-Fi availability
With only 4 stretcher bays, this ER is best suited for non-critical conditions — if you are experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or major trauma, call 911 and be aware you may be transferred to a larger centre in Gatineau or Ottawa.
For maternity or obstetrical emergencies, plan to go directly to Gatineau or Ottawa, as no deliveries are performed at Hôpital du Pontiac.
If you need blood work done, the walk-in prélèvements (blood draw) service runs Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. — bring your medical requisition to avoid delays.
The hospital provides bilingual care in both English and French, so do not hesitate to communicate in your preferred official language.
Call ahead at 819-647-2211 if you have questions about services or amenities, as this rural facility has limited publicly available information online.
What to Bring
Valid provincial health card (RAMQ card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications and dosages
Any relevant medical requisitions or referral documents
Provincial drug insurance card or private insurance information
Emergency contact information
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer (wait areas can be cool)
Snacks and water, especially given limited on-site amenity information
Parking
Disability-designated parking is available on-site. General parking is available at the facility; contact the hospital at 819-647-2211 to confirm parking details and any associated fees.
Getting There
Shawville is a small rural community in the Pontiac region of western Quebec with very limited public transit options. Most patients arrive by private vehicle; taxi or rideshare are the most practical alternatives if you do not have access to a car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the emergency department at Hôpital du Pontiac open overnight and on weekends?
Yes. The emergency department at Hôpital et CHSLD du Pontiac in Shawville is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, including holidays.
Can I give birth at Hôpital du Pontiac?
No. Hôpital du Pontiac does not perform deliveries or provide obstetrical care. Patients requiring maternity services should go to a hospital in Gatineau, a birth centre, or a hospital in Ottawa.
What level of care does this ER provide — can it handle serious emergencies?
The ER has 4 functional stretcher bays and is best suited for non-critical and moderate-acuity presentations. It does not have trauma, cardiac, stroke, or dedicated pediatric emergency designations. Complex or high-acuity cases are typically stabilized and transferred to larger centres in Gatineau or Ottawa.
Does Hôpital du Pontiac offer services in English?
Yes. The hospital provides full bilingual services in both English and French, which is especially important given the Pontiac region's significant anglophone population.
How do I get blood work done at Hôpital du Pontiac without going through the ER?
Walk-in blood draw (prélèvements) services are available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. You must bring a valid medical requisition from your doctor.
Is there parking available at Hôpital du Pontiac in Shawville?
Yes, parking is available on-site, including disability-designated spaces. For details on general parking availability and any fees, contact the hospital directly at 819-647-2211.
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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