Quieter times: Emergency departments generally experience lower volumes in the early morning hours (roughly 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) on weekdays. For non-life-threatening issues, arriving during off-peak hours may reduce your wait. Always call 911 or come immediately if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Busier times: Evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher patient volumes at most urban emergency departments. Monday mornings can also be busy as patients who delayed care over the weekend arrive. As a major academic referral centre, the Glen Site ER may receive complex cases at any hour.
The MUHC Glen Site at 1001 Boul. Décarie in Montréal is Quebec's largest combined adult and children's hospital, offering tertiary and quaternary emergency care around the clock. The facility houses two separate emergency departments — one for adults (Royal Victoria Hospital) and one for children (Montreal Children's Hospital) — along with a dedicated pediatric Trauma Centre. As a McGill University academic health centre, it delivers some of the most complex and specialized care available in Canada.
Services & Specialties
Adult emergency department (Royal Victoria Hospital), Pediatric emergency department (Montreal Children's Hospital), Pediatric Trauma Centre, Cancer care and oncology emergencies (Cedars Cancer Centre), Respiratory and chest medicine (Montreal Chest Institute), Supportive and palliative care (12-bed inpatient unit), Ophthalmology (MUHC Adult Ophthalmology Clinic), Tertiary and quaternary complex care, Surgical and critical care services, Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) triage, Medical education and clinical research integration.
Amenities
Cafeterias and coffee shops throughout the facility
Pharmacy on S1 level, Block D
Free Wi-Fi in all public areas
Gift shops with convenience items
Fully accessible ramps, elevators, and automatic doors
38 designated handicapped parking spaces
Electric vehicle charging stations
Bilingual (English/French) signage and services
Overnight sofa-bed accommodation for families in single patient rooms
Palliative care unit with private rooms, therapeutic whirlpool bath, and family kitchenette
The Glen Site has two separate emergency departments — follow signs for either the adult (Royal Victoria Hospital) ER or the pediatric (Montreal Children's Hospital) ER depending on the patient's age.
For emergency drop-off, follow the red 'URGENCE/EMERGENCY' ramp signs off Décarie Blvd. to reach the dedicated ER drop-off point adapted for patients with reduced mobility.
If you are presenting with a fracture or orthopedic injury, be aware that the MUHC orthopedic department is based at the Montreal General Hospital — you may be transferred there for definitive treatment.
Triage is conducted using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS); the sickest patients are always seen first, so wait times can vary significantly — check real-time waits before heading in for non-life-threatening concerns.
Vendôme Métro station (Orange Line) is tunnel-connected to the hospital and is the easiest transit option, especially in winter or for those with mobility needs.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (driver's licence or passport)
Quebec Medicare card (RAMQ card)
Private insurance or supplemental health coverage information
A complete list of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, test results, or specialist letters
Method of payment for parking
Phone charger and entertainment for potential wait times
Snacks and water for accompanying family members
Parking
Underground parking is accessible from Décarie Blvd., with 1,582 spaces across four levels (P1–P4), including 38 designated handicapped spaces on P1 and electric vehicle charging spots. Real-time display boards show available spaces on each level. Two exterior surface lots are also available for quick visits. Pay at automated machines (credit or debit) at the exit or at the MUHC Parking Customer Service office on the RC level. Emergency drop-off is available via the red 'URGENCE/EMERGENCY' ramp. Discounted packages are offered to frequent visitors; rates are set annually by the Government of Quebec.
Getting There
Vendôme Métro station (Orange Line) is directly connected to the Glen Site via an enclosed tunnel with elevator access, making it fully wheelchair accessible. Vendôme is also an intermodal hub with commuter rail service on the Saint-Jérôme, Candiac, and Vaudreuil-Hudson lines. Six STM bus routes stop at Vendôme station (38, 90, 102, 104, 105, 124), and five additional routes stop frequently near the Glen Site (17, 24, 63, 371, 420). STM Paratransit service stops at three main entrances: the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal Children's Hospital, and Cedars Cancer Centre. By car, the Décarie Blvd. entrance is easily reached from Highways 15, 20, and 720. Bike lanes on Décarie and De Maisonneuve Boulevards connect to the site, which has multiple bike racks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MUHC Glen Site have a separate emergency department for children?
Yes. The Glen Site houses two distinct emergency departments on the same campus: an adult ED affiliated with the Royal Victoria Hospital, and a separate pediatric ED affiliated with the Montreal Children's Hospital, which also has a dedicated Trauma Centre.
How do I get to the Glen Site ER by public transit?
Take the Métro Orange Line to Vendôme station, which is directly connected to the hospital by an enclosed, elevator-accessible tunnel. Commuter rail on three lines and multiple STM bus routes also serve Vendôme station.
What should I do if I arrive at the Glen Site ER with a broken bone or fracture?
The MUHC's orthopedic department is located at the Montreal General Hospital, not the Glen Site. If you present to the Glen Site ED with a fracture, the team may stabilize you and arrange a transfer to the Montreal General Hospital or another facility within the network for orthopedic treatment.
How does triage work at the Glen Site emergency department?
When you arrive, a triage nurse will assess your condition and assign a priority level using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). This system ensures the most seriously ill or injured patients are always seen first, which means wait times for less urgent cases can range from minutes to several hours.
Is the MUHC Glen Site emergency department bilingual?
Yes. As a McGill University-affiliated institution located in Montréal, the Glen Site operates fully in both English and French. All signage, services, and patient communications are available in both official languages.
Where can I park when visiting the Glen Site emergency department?
The main underground lot (P1–P4) is accessible from Décarie Blvd. and has 1,582 spaces, including 38 handicapped spaces and EV charging stations. For emergency drop-offs, follow the red 'URGENCE/EMERGENCY' ramp. Two exterior surface lots are available for quick visits. Payment is by credit or debit card at automated exit machines.
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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