ER CHUV: when to go and what alternatives exist
Practical guide: CHUV or walk-in clinic?
Life-threatening condition
Severe bleeding, major trauma, serious burn, chest pain, or any sudden and severe symptom.
➜ CHUV or 144Non-life-threatening emergencies
Fever, sprain, superficial wound, urinary tract infection, flu-like symptoms, moderate pain…
➜ Medical walk-in clinicWhere is the CHUV emergency department located?
The CHUV emergency department is located in Lausanne, on the hospital’s main site.
M2 metro
Station → direction Sallaz → stop CHUV.
Visitor parking
Spaces available on site (limited availability).
Bus & tram
Public transport network serving the hospital district directly.
Adult emergency services are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The pediatric department (children 16 years old) is also located at the CHUV.
The CHUV emergency department is the hospital service of reference for serious and life-
threatening situations. In the event of a major accident, loss of consciousness, or severe sudden symptoms,
the CHUV is where you should go. It is a specialized service, organized to treat the most critical cases as a
priority.
For non-life-threatening emergencies, such as an infection, a sprain, a moderate fever, or pain, a
medical walk-in clinic is often more appropriate. In Renens, less than 10 minutes from
Lausanne, the Centre medical Gare de Renens is an
alternative that handles these emergencies without an appointment, from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
When should you definitely go to the CHUV emergency department?
Some situations must be treated in a university hospital. If any of the following applies, go to the CHUV or call 144:
Severe or persistent chest pain
Severe bleeding
Major trauma or serious accident
Loss of consciousness or seizures
Sudden paralysis or difficulty speaking (suspected stroke)
Severe breathing difficulty
Severe burn
The CHUV is organized to immediately mobilize cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons, and critical care teams. No private walk-in clinic can replace this range of resources.
The role of walk-in clinics: easing the burden on hospital emergency departments, including the CHUV emergency department.
In hospital emergency departments, cases are prioritized according to severity (Swiss medical triage). A patient with moderate pain or a non-urgent fever will be seen after traumas, strokes, serious accidents, and cardio-respiratory emergencies.
Disadvantages of hospital emergency departments
- several hours of waiting
- tests postponed
- late consultations
These delays are not related to the quality of care,
but to the hospital's mission: saving lives first.
When is a medical walk-in clinic more appropriate?
For common, non-life-threatening emergencies, a medical walk-in clinic offers a faster alternative. Typical examples:
- fever, viral or bacterial infection
- moderate abdominal, joint, or chest pain
- minor wounds, falls, sprains
- allergies, cystitis, mild asthma attacks
- migraines, dizziness, fatigue
A medical walk-in clinic handles these situations the same day, with reduced waiting time. You are examined, diagnosed, and directed appropriately, without being placed behind critical cases.
Medical walk-in clinic in Renens
Located just a few minutes from Lausanne station, the Centre medical Gare de Renens is an excellent alternative that welcomes adults aged 16 and over for non-life-threatening emergencies.
Our team & our services
- Consultations without appointment from Monday to Friday
- FMH doctors trained in general and emergency medicine
- Nursing team and medical assistants
- On-site laboratory
- Digital radiology
When necessary, we arrange a transfer to the CHUV or a partner hospital in order to ensure safe continuity of care.
Our goal is not to replace the CHUV emergency department,
but to prevent non-critical patients from going there unnecessarily.
Where to find us
Centre medical Gare de Renens
Avenue d’Epenex 4b, 1020 Renens
Just a few meters from the train station
Opening hours of the Centre medical Gare de Renens
Adult medical walk-in clinic (ages 16 and over)
Monday to Friday — 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How do you get to the Centre medical Gare de Renens from the Olympic capital?
Our walk-in clinic is located in the heart of western Lausanne.
- By train: 7 minutes by train from Lausanne station
- By metro: direct access via the M1 metro with a stop at Renens station
- By car: parking spaces are available in the immediate vicinity
Less than a one-minute walk from Renens station.
Need a consultation today?
You can come without an appointment, Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
To save time, you can also book a time slot.
FAQ: CHUV emergency department vs walk-in clinic
⚠️ In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 144 or go immediately to the emergency department at the CHUV. The information provided here does not replace professional medical advice.