Jim Pattison Children's Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Generally, pediatric emergency departments tend to be less busy on weekday mornings. If your child's condition is not life-threatening, calling Health Line 811 first can help you determine whether an ER visit is necessary.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Pediatric ERs across Canada typically see higher volumes on evenings, weekends, and during cold and flu season (late fall through winter). If possible, avoid peak evening hours unless the situation is urgent.

About Jim Pattison Children's Hospital

Jim Pattison Children's Hospital (JPCH) is Saskatchewan's first and only dedicated maternal and children's hospital, located on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon. The pediatric emergency department serves patients ages 16 and under around the clock, with specialized resources including Saskatchewan's only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and dedicated mental health crisis spaces. Connected to Royal University Hospital and staffed by 16 emergency physicians with university affiliation, JPCH is the province's highest-level facility for critically ill or injured children.

Services & Specialties

Pediatric Emergency Department (24/7), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) — only one in Saskatchewan, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric surgery suites with integrated induction rooms, Mental health crisis care including a Mental Health Intensive Care Room, General pediatrics inpatient care, Pediatric observation unit, Maternal care: labour, delivery, antepartum, and postpartum, Pediatric cardiology, Pediatric oncology (cancer care), Pediatric gastroenterology, Pediatric cardiology and hearing services, Saskatchewan's first Pediatric Sleep Lab, STARS helipad for air ambulance transport, Pediatric transport team ambulance entrance, University of Saskatchewan teaching hospital affiliation.

Amenities

• Canada's first Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone (main floor)
• Mosaic Child Life Program
• Outdoor patient play area
• School room for inpatients
• Special family spaces on inpatient floors
• Saskatchewan's first Pediatric Sleep Lab
• Royal Express electric volunteer cart for navigation between RUH and JPCH
• STARS helipad

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 10 walk-in clinics in Saskatoon →

Pharmacists in Saskatchewan 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

• Park on Level P3 if you are heading directly to the Emergency Department — it provides the most direct access.
• A nurse at the front entrance will perform an initial assessment as soon as you arrive; be ready to briefly explain your child's symptoms right away.
• Bring your child's immunization records, a list of current medications and dosages, and any relevant health history — ED staff will ask for this information.
• If your child's condition worsens while you are waiting in the ED, notify nursing staff immediately rather than waiting to be called.
• If you enter JPCH from a Royal University Hospital entrance, look for the Royal Express electric cart — volunteer drivers can take you and up to three others directly to JPCH.
• JPCH is connected to Royal University Hospital via an indoor corridor, so inclement Saskatoon winters won't require you to go outside once you're on campus.

What to Bring

• Provincial health card (Saskatchewan Health Card) or other provincial health coverage
• Photo ID for the parent or guardian
• Child's immunization record
• Complete list of current medications including dosages and frequency
• Any medications already given for the current illness
• Relevant medical history, allergy information, and past diagnoses
• Comfort items for the child (favourite toy, blanket, soother)
• Snacks and entertainment for potentially long waits, especially for accompanying siblings

Parking

Pay parking is available on levels P3, P4, and P5, all of which provide access to both JPCH and Royal University Hospital. Level P3 offers the easiest access to the Emergency Department. Levels P4 and P5 are closest to the JPCH main entrance, and P5 is best for the Maternal Care Centre and Pediatric Outpatient Department. Pediatric oncology patients may use designated spaces on P5 with a Saskatoon Cancer Centre permit. Payment is by licence plate number using coin, credit card, or debit at the pay stations — no need to return to your vehicle. The ParkMobile app lets you pay and extend time remotely. Vehicles over 1.9 m (6.2 ft) in height must use oversize parking outside Royal University Hospital. Patient drop-off at the ER entrance is permitted but it is a fire lane — drivers must remain with the vehicle or move it immediately.

Getting There

JPCH is accessible by Saskatoon Transit via routes 04, 06, 17, 44, and 45. Nearby stops include College/Munroe, College Drive/Wiggins, College Drive/Bottomley Avenue, and the University–Place Riel Hub. The hospital is accessed off College Drive on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

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 Saskatchewan 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.