North Shore Health Network

02/26/2026

Today, staff across North Shore Health Network proudly wore pink in recognition of Pink Shirt Day — a day that reminds us that kindness, inclusion, and respect are not just values we talk about, but values we live.

Pink Shirt Day began as a simple act of solidarity and has grown into a powerful symbol of standing up against bullying and supporting one another. In healthcare, that message resonates deeply. Every interaction — with patients, residents, clients, families, colleagues, and community partners — is an opportunity to create a safe, respectful, and compassionate environment.

Wearing pink today is more than a gesture — it is a visible commitment to:

• Creating safe and inclusive workplaces
• Treating everyone with dignity and respect
• Supporting one another as one team
• Leading with compassion in every interaction

Thank you to all NSHN staff for embodying these values and for continuing to build a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.💗

02/21/2026

UPDATED: Physician coverage has been secured and the Thessalon Site will remain OPEN on Sunday February 22nd. Thank you!

02/19/2026

🚨 Upcoming Temporary Emergency Department Closure – Thessalon Site 🚨

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

📍 THESSALON SITE
🗓 From: 8:00 am on Friday, February 20
🗓 Reopening: 8:00 am on Saturday, February 21

To support the community during this time, a Nurse Practitioner will be available on-site from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm on Friday, February 20.

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

🚑 During the closure, ambulances will be re-routed to the nearest 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

📞 For non-emergent health advice:
Contact Health811 by calling 8-1-1
TTY: 1-866-797-007
Or access live chat online:
https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca

💻 For same-day virtual access to a Nurse Practitioner (for minor health issues if you do not have a primary care provider):
Visit: https://nevirtualcare.ca/
📞 1-888-684-1999

NSHN continues to actively pursue physician coverage and explore all options to maintain safe access to care. If coverage is secured, the closure will be reversed and the community will be updated as soon as possible.

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

02/18/2026

The North Shore Health Network (NSHN) recognizes employees, providers, and volunteers at ALL sites who stand out by consistently delivering an exceptional patient, resident, or client experience.

Any NSHN employee, provider, or volunteer may be recognized — whether or not they work directly with patients, residents, or clients — because every department and every role contributes in their own way.

🌟 Experience Champions demonstrate NSHN’s values of:
• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Equity
• Sustainability

To nominate an Experience Champion, please visit: https://www.nshn.care/experience-champions

Nominations may be submitted by anyone — patients, residents, clients, family members, care partners, co-workers, and more.

👏 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! 🎉

02/17/2026

February is Black History Month

This month, North Shore Health Network (NSHN) proudly recognizes and celebrates Black History Month — a time to honour the achievements, resilience, leadership, and lasting contributions of Black Canadians and Black communities.

In partnership with our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (IDEAA) Committee, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a healthcare environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and respected. The IDEAA Committee continues to champion meaningful conversations, learning opportunities, and actions that advance equity across our organization.

We acknowledge and celebrate the vital contributions of Black healthcare professionals, staff, volunteers, patients, and community members who strengthen NSHN and the communities we serve every day.

Black History Month is a time to learn, reflect, celebrate, and recommit — not just in February, but all year long.

02/16/2026

🚨 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:
🗓 From 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 17
🗓 Reopening 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 18

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

🚑 During this time, ambulances will be re-routed 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-emergent health advice and information:
📞 Call Health811 at 8-1-1 TTY: 1-866-797-0007
🌐 Live chat: https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca

👩‍⚕️ Same-day virtual access to a Nurse Practitioner (for patients with minor health issues who do not have a primary care provider or timely access):
🌐 https://nevirtualcare.ca/
📞 1-888-684-1999

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

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

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.