North Shore Health Network

02/09/2026

🔧 Notice – Facility Improvements Underway 🔧

Throughout the month of February, the North Shore Health Network Maintenance team will be on site at the Richards Landing - Matthews Site completing facility improvement work on weekdays.

During this time, visitors may experience:
• Increased noise
• Temporary relocation of some patient services

Our staff will be available to assist patients and families, provide directions, and ensure care continues safely and seamlessly.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete these important upgrades to better serve our community. We can't wait to show you the results!

Thank you for your continued support.

02/09/2026

🚨 Temporary Emergency Department Closure – Thessalon Site

The North Shore Health Network (NSHN) is advising the community of a temporary closure of the Emergency Department at the Thessalon Site due to physician shortages.

📍 Thessalon Site
🕗 Closed: 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10
🕗 Reopening: 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11

❗ If you require immediate medical attention, please call 9-1-1.

🚑 During this closure, ambulances will be redirected to the nearest Emergency Departments:
• Blind River Site – NSHN, 525 Causley St., Blind River, ON
• Richards Landing Site – NSHN, 1180 Richards St., Richards Landing, ON
• Sault Area Hospital, 750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON

💬 Non-emergency health advice is available through Health811:
📞 Call 8-1-1
📞 TTY: 1-866-797-0007
💻 Live chat: https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca

🩺 Same-day virtual Nurse Practitioner care is also available through the North East Virtual Care Clinic for minor health concerns if you do not have timely access to a primary care provider:
🌐 https://nevirtualcare.ca
📞 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to explore all possible options to provide safe access to care and avoid closure. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, and if physician coverage is secured, the closure will be reversed and the community updated immediately.

For updates, please visit www.nshn.care or follow us on Facebook.

02/04/2026

NSHN is back on the road today - this time at the Sault College Career Fair!

Come say 👋🏻 to Tammy this afternoon. We’ve got some sweet opportunities waiting! 🍭 See you there!

02/03/2026

NSHN is on the road today participating in the Cambrian College career fair on now until 3 pm!

Stop by the Cambrian College gym to see us, we’ve got some “sweet” opportunites for your future! 🍭

For more info on our current postings visit us online: www.nshn.care/careers

02/02/2026

NSHN Is proud to support this initiative alongside the Town of Thessalon Municipality of Huron Shores and the Huron Shores Family Health Team!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Town of Thessalon Launches Community-Led Physician Recruitment Initiative

Local Businesses Invited to Support Long-Term Healthcare Stability

Thessalon, ON — February 2, 2026 — The Town of Thessalon, in partnership with the North Shore Health Network, the Huron Shores Family Health Team and the Municipality of Huron Shores, is proud to launch a new physician recruitment initiative. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen access to local healthcare and ensure the long-term stability of medical services in Thessalon and surrounding communities.

Thessalon has faced ongoing challenges in securing full-time physicians, with all contract physician positions vacant since 2022. This initiative leverages the Touchstone Practice Ready Ontario (PRO) program, which provides an opportunity to recruit qualified physicians trained outside of Canada who are ready to practice medicine in Ontario communities.

While Thessalon meets many PRO program requirements, physicians need additional local supervision at the start of their practice. For Thessalon this includes clinic and emergency care for all contracted physicians. In response, regional healthcare partners and neighbouring physicians have developed a collaborative supervision model enabling sustainable and responsible recruitment.

Securing a full-time physician will restore consistent access to primary care in Thessalon, reduce the risk of emergency department closures, strengthen the stability of the local clinic and hospital, support healthcare capacity across the broader North Shore region, and encourage long-term physician retention within the community.

The Town of Thessalon invites local businesses and organizations to support this initiative. Your participation demonstrates a shared commitment to community well-being and helps Thessalon remain a healthy, vibrant place to live, work, and invest.

Healthcare access is a cornerstone of economic resilience. Reliable medical services support workforce retention, attract new families and professionals, and contribute directly to the long-term sustainability of local businesses.

This initiative reflects a broader vision of community-led healthcare solutions. By working together—municipal leaders, healthcare partners, businesses, and residents—Thessalon can move from short-term fixes toward a more stable and systematic approach to physician recruitment.

The Mayor and Council encourage interested businesses to connect with the Town office to learn more about how they can be involved and support this critical initiative.

For more information please contact:

Lindsay MacFarlane, Deputy Clerk
Town of Thessalon
lindsay@thessalon.ca
705-842-2217

North Shore Health Network Huron Shores Family Health Team Municipality of Huron Shores

01/28/2026

🚨Temporary Emergency Department Closure – Thessalon Site _ EXTENDED TO INCLUDE FRIDAY🚨

The North Shore Health Network (NSHN) is advising the community of an EXTENDED temporary closure of the Emergency Department at the Thessalon Site due to physician shortages.

📍 Thessalon Site
🕗 Closed: Thursday, January 29 at 8:00 a.m.
🕗 Reopening: Saturday, January 31 at 8:00 a.m.

🔴 If you require immediate medical attention, please call 9-1-1.

🚑 During this closure, ambulances will be re-routed to the following Emergency Departments:
• Blind River Site – NSHN, 525 Causley St., Blind River
• Richards Landing Site – NSHN, 1180 Richards St., Richards Landing
• Sault Area Hospital – 750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie

📞 Non-emergent health advice is available through Health811
Call 8-1-1 | TTY: 1-866-797-0007
💬 https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca.

💻 Same-day virtual care with a Nurse Practitioner is available through the North East Virtual Care Clinic for minor health concerns if you do not have timely access to a primary care provider: 🌐 https://nevirtualcare.ca/ | 📞 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to explore all possible options to provide safe access to care and avoid closures. Efforts to secure physician coverage are ongoing, and if coverage is found, the closure will be reversed and the community will be updated as soon as possible.

For updates, please visit www.nshn.care or follow North Shore Health Network on Facebook.

Thank you for your understanding.

01/28/2026

💙 January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 💙

This January, we’re supporting the Alzheimer Society’s “Forget No One” campaign—a call to ensure that no one living with dementia is forgotten, overlooked, or left behind.

Dementia affects more than memory. It impacts individuals, families, caregivers, and entire communities. Together, we can help reduce stigma and build understanding through compassion and action.

10 easy ways to help fight stigma against dementia:
1️⃣ Learn the facts about dementia
2️⃣ Use respectful, person-first language
3️⃣ Be patient and understanding
4️⃣ Include people living with dementia in conversations and activities
5️⃣ Listen without correcting
6️⃣ Focus on abilities, not losses
7️⃣ Speak up against stereotypes
8️⃣ Support caregivers
9️⃣ Wear and share awareness symbols proudly
🔟 Start conversations and spread awareness

Let’s stand together this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and commit to forget no one 💙

For more information visit: https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/alzheimers-awareness-month

01/24/2026

EXTENDED CLOSURE ALERT W/ LIMITED NP COVERAGE ON MONDAY (3:00 pm - 11:00 pm)

🚨 Upcoming NSHN Department Closure – Thessalon Site 🚨

The North Shore Health Network (NSHN) is advising the community of a temporary closure of the Emergency Department at the Thessalon Site due to physician shortages.

📍 THESSALON SITE – Emergency Department Closure
🕗 From: 8:00 a.m. Sunday, January 25
🕗 Now Reopening: 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 27

NEW! Nurse Practitioner (NP) available onsite on Monday January 26 from 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm.

⚠️ If you require immediate medical attention, please call 9-1-1.

🚑 Ambulances will be re-routed to the following Emergency Departments:
• Blind River Site – NSHN, 525 Causley St., Blind River, ON
• Richards Landing Site – NSHN, 1180 Richards St., Richards Landing, ON
• Sault Area Hospital, 750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON

📞 Non-urgent health advice is available through Health811
• Call 8-1-1
• TTY (toll-free): 1-866-797-0007
• Live chat: https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca

💻 Same-day virtual care with a Nurse Practitioner is available through the
North East Virtual Care Clinic for minor health concerns:
• Visit: https://nevirtualcare.ca
• Call: 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to explore all possible options to avoid closure and ensure safe access to care. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, and if physician coverage is secured, the closure will be reversed and the community will be updated immediately.

🔎 For updates, please visit www.nshn.care
or follow us on Facebook at North Shore Health Network.

01/23/2026

✅ Good News Update

While we were preparing for a possible Emergency Department closure this Saturday due to travel impacts from severe winter weather in Southern Ontario, our team continued working behind the scenes and has successfully secured physician coverage.

The Emergency Department will remain OPEN as scheduled.

Thank you to our dedicated teams for their efforts, and to our community for your understanding and patience.

01/21/2026

NSHN President & CEO Tim Vine was pleased to participate in recognizing this important week with our partners from Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services.

National Addictions Awareness Week was recognized this past November with three of our valued Core Partners: Benbowopka Treatment Centre, Mississauga First Nation, Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, and one Collaborative Partner: North Shore Community Health Services.

This event recognized the impact of addictions on the Mississauga First Nation community, bringing partners together to strengthen our network and collaborate on upcoming priorities. It united our partners to build relationships that support a more connected, collaborative, and client-focused local health system, while maintaining focus on our current priority: Mental Wellness and Addictions.

https://maamwesyingontariohealthteam.com/national-addictions-awareness-week-recognized-by-mississauga-first-nation-community-partners

Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services

01/21/2026

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, a time to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of looking after ourselves and one another.

At North Shore Health Network, we recognize that mental well-being is just as important as physical health. We encourage everyone in our communities to take a moment for self-care—whether that’s reaching out to someone you trust, taking a break, going for a walk, or simply checking in with yourself.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help and support are available. No one has to face challenges alone, and talking can make a difference.

Let’s continue to support open conversations, reduce stigma, and care for one another—today and every day.

For more information visit: https://letstalk.bell.ca/

01/19/2026

Join Homemade Baking Co. And the North Shore Health Network Foundation tomorrow at the Blind River Site for sweet treats that support a great cause! Complimentary 15 minute parking pass available at the Main Gate. 🍪

We’re excited to welcome Homemade Baking Co. to the Blind River Site for a cookie pop-up fundraiser on Tuesday, January 20, 2026!

They’ll be set up in the lobby with gourmet, shelf-stable cookies and fun seasonal treats that are perfect for staff, visitors, and anyone with a sweet tooth.

Proceeds support the North Shore Health Network Foundation, helping fund care and equipment close to home.

📍 Blind River Site – Main Lobby
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📅 January 20, 2026

Stop by, grab a cookie (or two), and support local healthcare 💙