Axia Health – Health Care Access Closer to Home
Health care access now closer to home for people injured on the job in Algoma region
WSIB partners with Sault Area Hospital and Axia Health to provide assessment and specialized treatment services and reduce out of town travel for care
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) announced today 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.”
Before this 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 in Sault Ste. Marie, people with a work-related injury or illness 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,” says 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 approx. 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.”
Additional quotes:
“Anyone injured on the job should have the confidence that they, and their loved ones, will be taken care of. Bringing services closer to home is another way we are driving change that delivers for people in Algoma. Every day, we are working for workers as we build an Ontario that leaves nobody behind.”
“This new service is a tremendous opportunity to timely local management of work-related injuries. 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.”
“We are proud to partner with the Sault Area Hospital and offer expertise and support to the people of Algoma region. With our combined expertise and knowledge of occupational injury and illness we can ensure people have the best care and best outcomes possible.”
"Not having to travel while in pain is a huge relief. Being able to get direct care from multiple specialists here at home is incredibly important. It’s like day and night compared to before this clinic. There has been significant improvement in my condition since I started coming here.”
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