North Shore Health Network

03/24/2026

⚠️ Caution: Parking Lot Slippery ⚠️

Please be advised that the parking lot at the Blind River Site may be slippery with the changing weather conditions today.

Our team and partners have completed extra sanding, however, winter conditions continue.

Please use extra caution when walking and driving in the area, wear appropriate footwear and allow extra time to navigate safely.

If you experience a fall in the parking lot, please notify a staff member at North Shore Health Network or the Huron Shores Family Health Team immediately.

03/21/2026

🚨 Upcoming NSHN Department Closure – Thessalon Site 🚨

The North Shore Health Network (NSHN) is informing the community of a temporary closure of the Emergency Department at the following location due to physician shortages:

📍 THESSALON SITE:
🕗 From 8:00 am on Sunday, March 22
🕗 Reopening at 8:00 am on Monday, March 23

Efforts to find coverage are ongoing. Should a physician be secured, NSHN will update the community as soon as possible.

🚑 In case of emergency:
Please call 9-1-1

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

📞 Non-emergency health advice:
Contact Health811
• Call: 8-1-1
• TTY: 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-0511
• Online chat: https://health811.ontario.ca

💻 Virtual care options:
For same-day access to a Nurse Practitioner (for minor health concerns):
North East Virtual Care Clinic
• Visit: https://nevirtualcare.ca/
• Call: 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to explore all possible options to maintain safe access to care and avoid closures.

For updates and more information:
🌐 www.nshn.care
📘 Facebook: North Shore Health Network

03/20/2026

NSHN Long-Term Care Respiratory Outbreak!

As of March 20, 2026, Algoma Public Health (APH) in collaboration with North Shore Health Network (NSHN) has declared an outbreak in Long-Term Care.

NSHN is working closely with APH to keep workers, residents, visitors, and providers safe. Actions include monitoring all residents for new symptoms and temporarily closing the unit to new admissions.

Effective immediately, the following precautions are in place:
•Visitors must wear a medical mask at all times and perform hand hygiene upon entry and exit.
•Visits are limited to one resident at a time, in their room.
•Non-essential visits are strongly recommended to be rescheduled.
•Visitors with cold-like symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing) should not visit.

For Virtual Visiting options, please contact the Long-Term Care Recreation Team at 705-356-2265 ext. 2351.

NSHN will continue to provide updates on the outbreak status.
Thank you for your understanding and for treating our staff with kindness and respect.

03/18/2026

🚨 Upcoming NSHN Emergency Department Closure – Thessalon Site

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

📍 Thessalon Site
🕗 Closure: Thursday, March 19 at 8:00 AM
🕗 Reopening: Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 AM

Efforts to secure physician coverage are ongoing. Should coverage be found, NSHN will update the community as soon as possible.

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

🚑 Ambulances will be re-routed to the nearest Emergency Departments:

• Blind River Site – 525 Causley St., Blind River, ON
• Richards Landing Site – 1180 Richards St., Richards Landing, ON
• Sault Area Hospital – 750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON

For non-emergency health advice:
Call Health811 at 8-1-1
TTY: 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-0511
💻 Live chat: https://health811.ontario.ca

For same-day virtual care with a Nurse Practitioner:
💻 Visit: https://nevirtualcare.ca/
📞 Call: 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to explore all possible options to maintain safe access to care and avoid service disruptions.

🔗 Learn more: www.nshn.care
📱 Follow us on Facebook: North Shore Health Network

03/16/2026

Not all heroes wear capes — or scrubs. ❄️

The North Shore Health Network (NSHN) would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many community members who helped ensure our staff were able to get to work safely during today’s snowstorm.

From dads and brothers-in-law to husbands, friends, and neighbours — we truly appreciate everyone who stepped up to help coordinate rides and transportation for our staff this morning. Your kindness and community spirit make a tremendous difference.

We would also like to thank:
🚜 Our Maintenance staff and contractors working hard to keep hospital properties cleared.
🚧 Municipal workers doing their best to clear community roadways.
🚑 Our fellow first responders who continue working to keep our communities safe.

Your dedication during this challenging weather does not go unnoticed.

If possible, we encourage community members to stay home until roads are cleared. This helps snow removal teams do their work and keeps roadways accessible for emergency services.

Thank you for supporting your local health care teams and for looking out for one another. Stay safe and warm, everyone. ❄️💙

03/16/2026

🚨 Upcoming NSHN Emergency Department Closure – Thessalon Site 🚨

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

📍 Thessalon Site
🕗 Closure: Tuesday, March 17 at 8:00 AM
🕗 Reopening: Wednesday, March 18 at 8:00 AM

Efforts to secure physician coverage are ongoing. Should coverage be obtained, NSHN will update the community as soon as possible.

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

During this time, ambulances will be re-routed to the nearest Emergency Departments:

• Blind River Site – North Shore Health Network (525 Causley St., Blind River)
• Richards Landing Site – North Shore Health Network (1180 Richards St., Richards Landing)
• Sault Area Hospital (750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie)

📞 For non-emergent health advice or information:
Contact Health811 by calling 8-1-1
TTY: 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-0511
💻 Live chat: https://health811.ontario.ca

💻 Same-day virtual care with a Nurse Practitioner is available through the North East Virtual Care Clinic for patients with minor health concerns who do not have a primary care provider or cannot access one in a timely manner.
Visit: https://nevirtualcare.ca

📞 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to investigate all possible options to maintain safe access to care and avoid closures whenever possible.

For updates and more information:
🌐 www.nshn.care

📱 Facebook: North Shore Health Network

03/16/2026

Important update from Huron Shores Family Health Team

Please be aware that due to significant weather conditions, our four primary care sites; Blind River, Bruce Mines, Richards Landing and Thessalon will be closed tomorrow (Monday, March 16, 2026) for in-person appointments.

03/15/2026

Public Notice – Weather Related Appointment Changes

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions for Monday, March 16, and in the interest of public safety, all non-urgent outpatient appointments in Laboratory, Medical Imaging, and Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) will be rescheduled to a later date.

Patients with affected appointments can expect a follow-up call from staff on Monday morning to arrange a new appointment time.

If you have questions about your appointment, please contact the appropriate department on Monday.

Thank you for your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our patients, staff, and community. ❄️

03/13/2026

🍀 A Lucky Day at NSHN Community Support Services Congregate Dining! 🍀

Our St. Patrick’s Day–themed Congregate Dining event was truly a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the talented NSHN Food Services team, bringing everyone together for great food, laughter, and community spirit.

A special shamrock-sized thank you goes out to Denise Landry from RBC for delivering an informative and engaging presentation on fraud awareness. Not only did Denise share valuable tips to help keep our community safe, but she also jumped right in—rolling up her sleeves to help serve plates and bus tables. Talk about Irish hospitality! ☘️

We’d also like to give a big round of applause to Kevin and Malcolm, our entertainers, for once again delivering an unforgettable performance that had everyone smiling, tapping their toes, and feeling the luck of the Irish. 🎶

And of course, a heartfelt thank you to the NSHN Foundation for their generous donation of Lindor chocolates, adding a sweet ending to a wonderful afternoon.

From great food to great company, it was a celebration full of laughter, music, and just a little St. Paddy’s Day magic. We’re so lucky to have such amazing community partners and supporters! 🍀💚

03/13/2026

Masking Update – Blind River Site

Due to increased transmission of respiratory illnesses in the community, North Shore Health Network (NSHN) has implemented High Risk – Universal Masking at the Blind River Site effective March 13.

What this means for visitors:
• A medical mask is required in all areas of the Blind River Site.
• Anyone experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness is encouraged to delay their visit if possible.

Masking requirements remain unchanged for the Emergency Department and the Thessalon and Richards Landing – Matthews Sites, where masking is already required.

These precautions help protect our patients, residents, staff, and community.

Thank you for your cooperation.

03/12/2026

NSHN can’t wait for the 3rd Annual Healthy Aging Fair! 🎉

GET READY BLIND RIVER!

The 3rd Annual Healthy Aging Fair is back on June 18th, and going to be filled with professionals who are eager to share information (and goodies) with YOU.

To all regional service providers, please reach out to Sue Shaw sshaw@nshn.care to secure your FREE booth! Spots are limited and we are already more than half full!

This event is made possible by collaboration from North Shore Health Network Foundation Huron Shores Family Health Team Town of Blind River 😊

See you all in June!

03/10/2026

📣*UPDATE: To provide access to care for the community during the formal Emergency Department closure, a Nurse Practitioner will be available at the Thessalon Site on Wednesday March 11th from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, and on Thursday March 12 from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.

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🚨 Upcoming NSHN Emergency Department Closure – Thessalon Site (Multi-Day)

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

📍 Thessalon Site Emergency Department
⏰ Closed: Wednesday, March 11 at 8:00 a.m.
⏰ Reopening: Saturday, March 14 at 8:00 a.m.

Efforts to secure physician coverage are ongoing. If coverage is found, NSHN will update the community as soon as possible.

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

During this time, ambulances will be redirected to the closest Emergency Departments:

🏥 Blind River Site – North Shore Health Network, 525 Causley St., Blind River, ON

🏥 Richards Landing Site – North Shore Health Network, 1180 Richards St., Richards Landing, ON

🏥 Sault Area Hospital, 750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Non-Emergency Health Advice

Health811
Call 8-1-1
TTY: 7-1-1 (alternately you can dial 1-800-855-0511)
💻 Live chat: https://health811.ontario.ca

Virtual Care Option

Patients with minor health concerns who do not have a primary care provider or timely access to one can access same-day virtual care through the North East Virtual Care Clinic.

🌐 https://nevirtualcare.ca
📞 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to explore all possible options to maintain safe access to care and avoid service disruptions whenever possible.

For updates and more information:
🌐 www.nshn.care or follow us on Facebook.