Quieter times: As a residential hospice and referral-based palliative care facility, La Maison Michel-Sarrazin does not experience emergency department wait times. Admission and program scheduling is coordinated in advance through your referring health professional. Administrative inquiries are best directed during office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Busier times: There are no walk-in hours or emergency services at this facility. For time-sensitive medical concerns, please contact 911 or visit a hospital emergency department in Québec City. For program or admission inquiries, avoid calling outside of administrative office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) for non-urgent matters.
La Maison Michel-Sarrazin, located at 2101 Chemin Saint-Louis in Québec City, is not a general emergency department — it is Canada's first French-language residential palliative care hospice, founded in 1985 and dedicated exclusively to terminally ill cancer patients. The facility provides free, 24/7 compassionate end-of-life care for up to 16 residential patients, alongside outpatient programs supporting those living at home during the palliative phase. Admission is by referral from a health professional only; individuals experiencing a medical emergency should contact 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency department.
Services & Specialties
Residential palliative and end-of-life care for cancer patients, Medical assistance in dying (aide médicale à mourir), Continuous palliative sedation, Bonenfant-Dionne Day Centre for palliative cancer patients living at home, Integrated Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic for symptom management, Integrated Respite and Support Services for home caregivers, Bereavement support services for families and loved ones, Psychosocial and spiritual care, Nutritional support and food services, Wheelchair and walker rentals, Bilingual care (French and English), Palliative care research and professional training in partnership with Laval University.
Amenities
Food service available for residential patients and Day Centre clients
Personalized care centred on physical, psychosocial, and spiritual well-being
Bilingual services in French and English
Day Centre open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Administrative offices open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
This is not a walk-in emergency facility — admission to residential or outpatient programs requires a referral from a physician or health professional. Contact your care team to initiate the process.
All residential care and services are provided completely free of charge to patients, thanks to the Michel-Sarrazin Foundation. Financial concern should not be a barrier to asking for a referral.
The facility offers bilingual care in both French and English, so families and patients comfortable in either language are fully supported.
If you are a caregiver supporting a loved one with cancer at home, the Integrated Respite and Support Services program may be available to you — ask your health professional about eligibility.
For urgent medical emergencies, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. La Maison Michel-Sarrazin does not provide acute emergency care.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo identification (health card, provincial ID, or passport)
Quebec provincial health insurance card (RAMQ card)
List of all current medications and dosages
Referral documentation from your physician or health professional
Contact information for next of kin or designated support person
Personal comfort items such as clothing, photographs, or meaningful objects
Any relevant medical records, imaging, or test results not already on file
A list of questions or concerns to discuss with the care team
Parking
On-site parking is listed as not available for this facility. Visitors are advised to contact La Maison Michel-Sarrazin directly at 418-688-0878 for the most current and accurate parking guidance before their visit.
Getting There
La Maison Michel-Sarrazin is accessible by Québec City's public transit system, the Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC). The nearest stop is Dom. Cataraqui, served by RTC bus routes 16, 25, and 925.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Maison Michel-Sarrazin an emergency department I can walk into?
No. La Maison Michel-Sarrazin is a specialized residential palliative care hospice, not a general emergency department. It does not accept walk-in patients. Admission is by referral from a physician or qualified health professional. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Who is eligible to receive care at La Maison Michel-Sarrazin?
The Maison serves terminally ill cancer patients in the palliative or end-of-life phase. Eligibility for residential care, the Day Centre, or outpatient programs is determined through a referral process with a health professional. The facility accommodates up to 16 residential patients at a time.
How much does care at La Maison Michel-Sarrazin cost?
All residential care and services provided to patients at La Maison Michel-Sarrazin are completely free of charge. The Michel-Sarrazin Foundation supports the financial needs of the organization to ensure care remains free for every patient and family.
What programs are available beyond residential care?
In addition to 24/7 residential care, the Maison offers the Bonenfant-Dionne Day Centre for palliative patients living at home, an Integrated Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic for symptom management, Integrated Respite and Support Services for home caregivers, and bereavement support for families. Ask your health professional about which program best suits your situation.
Does La Maison Michel-Sarrazin offer services in English?
Yes. La Maison Michel-Sarrazin provides care and services in both French and English. Patients and families comfortable in either official language are fully supported throughout their care journey.
What is the historical significance of La Maison Michel-Sarrazin?
Founded in 1985, La Maison Michel-Sarrazin welcomed its first patient on April 9, 1985, making it the first palliative care home in the French-speaking world. Named in honour of Michel Sarrazin, the first surgeon to operate on a cancer patient in Canada, the Maison has since cared for over 7,000 patients and has inspired similar hospice projects across Canada and francophone Europe.
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.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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