L'Hôpital de Montréal Pour Enfants

Best Times to Visit

About L'HÔPITAL DE MONTRÉAL POUR ENFANTS

The Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) Emergency Department, located at 1001 Boulevard Décarie in Montréal, QC, provides around-the-clock emergency care for infants, children, and adolescents under 18. As a designated provincial pediatric and adolescent trauma centre and neurotrauma centre of expertise, the MCH delivers tertiary and quaternary-level care—including ultra-specialized services found nowhere else on the island of Montréal. Families across Quebec and beyond rely on this McGill University-affiliated teaching hospital for the most complex pediatric medical and surgical emergencies.

Services & Specialties

Pediatric emergency department (24/7), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Provincial pediatric and adolescent trauma centre, Neurotrauma centre of expertise, Sexual abuse designated assessment centre, Fetal interventions, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), Pediatric dialysis, Pediatric neurology and neurosurgery, Extreme prematurity care (52-bed neonatology unit), Pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, Operating rooms and perioperative services, Pediatric dental emergency (24-hour), Le SPOT Montréal — adolescent mental health crisis centre (ages 12–18), Brain, Development and Behaviour clinical network (autism, ADHD, developmental delay), Social services (available 24 hours), Interpretation services in over 300 languages.

Amenities

• Cafeteria (Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; weekends & holidays 9 a.m.–7 p.m.) with outdoor terrace May–October
• Over 20 commercial retailers including coffee shops, restaurants, and a pharmacy
• Gift shops and florist on site
• ATMs on level S1 (Block A) and ground floor (Blocks C and D)
• Free Wi-Fi (Network: CUSM-MUHC-PUBLIC; Username: public; Password: wifi)
• Multi-faith chapel (room A 02.0045) — open 24/7 to all
• National Bank Family Resource Centre — library, business centre, family conference room (Block A, RC.1107)
• Drop-in daycare 'Just for Kids Sibling Park' for siblings up to age 13 (priority to NICU/PICU families)
• Green spaces including a park, children's playground, Zen garden, and walking paths
• Volunteer escorts available at main entrance (RC level and S1 level during business hours)

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

• Go directly to 1001 Boulevard Décarie — the hospital's former address at 2300 Rue Tupper has been closed since 2015.
• Take the Orange metro line to Vendôme Station and use the underground tunnel to walk directly into the hospital — ideal in winter or with a sick child.
• Use the red URGENCE/EMERGENCY drop-off ramp to let someone out at the ER entrance before searching for parking in the underground lot.
• If your child requires frequent outpatient visits or a stay longer than two weeks, ask about the reduced-rate parking pass at the Parking Office in Block A.
• The hospital offers interpretation services in over 300 languages — let triage staff know your preferred language as early as possible so services can be arranged promptly.
• Le SPOT Montréal, located on site, provides specialized crisis support for adolescents aged 12–18 in suicidal crisis — this is a separate pathway from the main ER for eligible youth.

What to Bring

• Provincial health insurance card (Carte Soleil / RAMQ card) for the child
• Medicare or out-of-province insurance information if applicable
• Child's immunization record and up-to-date medical history
• List of current medications, dosages, and any known allergies
• Comfort items for the child (favourite toy, blanket, or pacifier)
• Snacks and water for accompanying adults and siblings
• Phone charger and entertainment for potentially long waits
• Any relevant referral letters, specialist reports, or imaging results

Parking

Underground parking at the MUHC Glen site accommodates 1,582 vehicles including 38 accessible spaces, and is accessible via Boulevard Décarie. You can walk directly from the underground lot into the Montreal Children's Hospital without going outside. An emergency drop-off ramp (follow the red URGENCE/EMERGENCY signs) is available before parking. An Express lot with 40 spaces sits on the main plaza near the main entrance. Payment kiosks on level P1 (outside the MCH Emergency entrance) and P2 accept debit, Visa, MasterCard, and cash. Electric vehicle spaces and wheelchair-accessible parking are also available. Families whose child requires frequent visits or a hospital stay of more than two weeks may apply for a reduced-rate parking pass at the Parking Office in Block A.

Getting There

The MUHC Glen site is directly connected to Vendôme intermodal station via a covered underground tunnel, making it accessible without stepping outside. Vendôme Station is served by the STM Orange metro line and AMT commuter rail. An elevator is available on the Glen site side of the tunnel for travellers with reduced mobility. STM's paratransit (door-to-door) service also provides pick-up and drop-off at the MCH main entrance for eligible passengers.

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 ERstat’s estimates, built from what hospitals publish, or from our model where a hospital publishes no wait. They are not the hospital’s own figures. Actual waits may vary.

We check our accuracy every night against what hospitals later post. Forecasting two hours ahead, our estimate is typically off by 32 minutes. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.