HÔPITAL SHRINERS POUR ENFANTS (QUÉBEC)

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: As a referral-based specialty hospital, most visits are scheduled in advance. Contact the hospital directly to book or confirm appointment times. Arriving early in the morning on weekdays typically offers the smoothest intake experience.

Busier times: Avoid arriving without a referral or scheduled appointment, as this is not a walk-in or general emergency facility. Late-afternoon slots near clinic closing times may involve longer waits between appointments and less administrative support.

About HÔPITAL SHRINERS POUR ENFANTS (QUÉBEC)

Hôpital Shriners pour enfants (Québec), located at 1003 Boulevard Décarie in Montréal, is a bilingual specialty paediatric hospital ranked #1 in the world alongside McGill University for expertise in Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The hospital provides acute orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal care for children from birth to age 21, including reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and complex spinal and limb disorder treatment. Note: this is not a general emergency department — patients requiring emergency care should proceed to a general paediatric hospital such as the Montreal Children's Hospital, located at the adjacent Glen site.

Services & Specialties

Paediatric orthopaedic surgery, Neuromusculoskeletal care, Treatment of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease), Spinal and limb anomaly treatment, Reconstructive surgery, Physiotherapy and occupational therapy rehabilitation, Orthotics and prosthetics, Casting and splinting, EOS digital imaging, Motion analysis research and mobility assessment, Social adaptation services, Equipment rental (crutches, wheelchairs), Outreach clinics across Eastern Canada and the Prairies, Medical education and paediatric specialty research, Remote interpretation services (Stratus) for multilingual patients.

Amenities

• Cafeteria on the 6th floor — open daily including weekends (Breakfast 7–10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Supper 4:30–6 p.m.); accepts cash, credit, and debit
• Vending machines next to the cafeteria (6th floor) for after-hours snacks
• Partial cafeteria section open at night with water access and microwave
• Free Wi-Fi via PFA network throughout the hospital
• Family computer available in the family room on the 4th floor
• Healing garden on the 4th floor — quiet outdoor space for families
• Canada's largest hospital museum, showcasing Shriners Masonic and hospital history
• Therapeutic play area with toys, board games, video games, and puzzles
• Therapeutic recreation program with structured daily activities
• Parent accommodation — built-in bed in child's room; linens provided by nursing staff
• 24-hour on-site security team; escorts to parking available on request
• Services available in French, English, and Spanish

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 is a specialty orthopaedic hospital, not a general emergency room — if your child needs urgent or emergency care for non-orthopaedic conditions, go directly to the Montreal Children's Hospital at the adjacent Glen site.
• Validate your parking ticket at the front desk upon arrival — underground P3A parking in the 100 area is free for visits under 2 hours, and validatable beyond that.
• The hospital offers services in French, English, and Spanish, and uses a remote interpretation service for other languages — you do not need to worry about a language barrier.
• One parent or close family member (18+) may stay overnight in the child's room; contact nursing staff for linens and for questions about accommodation for additional family members.
• Out-of-province patients have their care covered by their home provincial medicare; care for foreign patients is funded by the Shriners organization — confirm coverage details before your visit.

What to Bring

• Provincial health insurance card (RAMQ or out-of-province equivalent)
• Government-issued ID for parent or guardian
• Referral letters or specialist correspondence related to your child's condition
• List of current medications, dosages, and known allergies
• Previous imaging, X-rays, or medical records relevant to the orthopaedic condition
• Comfort items for your child (favourite toy, blanket, or book)
• Change of clothes and personal care items if an overnight stay is anticipated
• Snacks and entertainment for wait times between appointments

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.