HÔPITAL ET CHSLD DU PONTIAC

Location & Access

200 Rue Argue, Shawville, QC J0X 2Y0

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.

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.

About HÔPITAL ET CHSLD DU PONTIAC

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

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: With only 4 stretcher bays, this small community ER tends to move efficiently for non-critical cases — some patients report being seen within 45 minutes and completing their visit in about 1.5 hours. Mid-morning on weekdays is generally a reasonable time to visit for minor issues.

Busier times: Like most ERs, evenings, weekends, and holidays can see higher demand relative to the facility's small capacity. If your condition is not urgent, consider visiting during regular weekday daytime hours when staffing is typically at its fullest.

Tips Before You Go

• 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

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.