A 24-hour closure of the emergency department at the Richards Landing-Matthews Site on St. Joseph Island is planned this week.
The North Shore Health Network says the emergency room will be closed from 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23 to 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24.
It’s due to physician shortages.
“Efforts to find coverage are ongoing and should a physician be secured NSHN will reverse the closure and update the community as soon as possible,” said the health network in a news release.
Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should still call 9-1-1. Ambulances will be re-routed.
The closest Emergency Departments to the Richards Landing – Matthews Site are:
Sault Area Hospital – 750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Thessalon Site – North Shore Health Network – 135 Dawson St., Thessalon, ON
Non-emergency health advice or information is available by contacting Health811 by calling 8-1-1, or the toll free TTY line: 1-866-797-007.
You can also start a live chat with an advisor online at: https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca.
Same day virtual access to a nurse practitioner is also available through the North East Virtual Care Clinic. This is for patients who have minor health issues and do not have a primary care provider or access to one in a timely manner.
Visit: https://nevirtualcare.ca/ or contact 1-888-684-1999 for more information