Thessalon Emergency Department to Close for 24 Hours

Physician shortage forces temporary shutdown of North Shore Health Network facility

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Due to a lack of available physicians, the Emergency Department at the North Shore Health Network's Thessalon site will be closed for 24 hours starting Tuesday morning. Ambulances will be rerouted to nearby emergency departments during this time.

Why it matters

The temporary closure highlights ongoing challenges with physician shortages in rural and remote areas, which can disrupt access to critical emergency medical services for local communities.

The details

The North Shore Health Network announced that the Thessalon Emergency Department will be closed from 8 a.m. on Tuesday to 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Patients requiring urgent care will need to seek treatment at the closest alternative emergency departments in Blind River, Richards Landing, or Sault Ste. Marie.

  • The Thessalon Emergency Department will be closed from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2026 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

North Shore Health Network

The regional health authority that operates the Thessalon Emergency Department and other healthcare facilities in the area.

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What’s next

The North Shore Health Network continues to search for available physicians to provide coverage and reopen the Thessalon Emergency Department as soon as possible.

The takeaway

This temporary closure underscores the ongoing challenges rural communities face in maintaining access to critical emergency medical services due to physician shortages, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to address healthcare workforce gaps in remote areas.