The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced a partnership with the Sault Area Hospital and Axia Health, a division of North York General Hospital, to provide health care services to people with work-related injuries and illness in the Algoma region.

“This partnership means people hurt on the job can get the treatment they need right here in Sault Ste. Marie,” says Jeff Lang, President and CEO of the WSIB. “After an injury, the last thing people want is more stress. Now they will have more access to health care so they can focus on recovery and return to work.”

“It’s important to minimize the need for out-of-town travel which can be painful for the person injured, financially burdensome, and potentially dangerous, particularly in the winter months,” said Dr. Darren Costain, Orthopedic Surgeon, Sault Area Hospital.

Prior to the partnership, people with injuries could face travel to Thunder Bay, Sudbury or Toronto in order to access specialized services with the WSIB.

Through the new Axia Health clinic, people with work-related injuries or illnesses can access the WSIB’s Occupational Health Assessment Program and WSIB’s Lower and Upper Extremity Specialty Programs that provide access to specialized assessment, surgery and interdisciplinary functionally focused treatment.

“The opening of this new clinic and our new partnership with WSIB and Axia Health is a welcome addition to our community. The new clinic is an excellent way to provide care for individuals with work-related injuries in our community,” said Ila Watson, President and CEO of the Sault Area Hospital. “With the launch of Axia Health, individuals will have access to proven inter-disciplinary care right here in Sault Ste. Marie and be able to recover at home. Sault Area Hospital continues to build relationships and develop programs to ensure our patients have access to the care they need close to home.”

In addition to local health care providers, patients of the Axia Health clinic will also have access to a wide array of experts at North York General Hospital through virtual consultations.

The Axia Health clinic opened May 2, 2022 and could see approximately 180 patients each year.

“Each one of those families is saving a trip out of town for treatment,” says Lang. “That’s a big relief and one less barrier on the road to recovery.”