Friday, February 13, 2026
Health Sciences North (HSN) would like to provide clarity regarding recent claims made by CUPE that have appeared in the media.
While we recognize the concerns being raised, the projections referenced do not reflect HSN’s current operational plans. We continue to work closely with Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health to ensure the long-term sustainability of healthcare services in Northeastern Ontario.
Demand at HSN remains extremely high. On Friday, the hospital was operating at 123%. Our hospital routinely operates at 120 per cent capacity, and between 120 and 130 patients receive care in hallways, tub rooms, the Emergency Department, or in temporary placements such as retirement homes each day.
The Ministry of Health is aware of these challenges and we are actively working with them on funding and on long-term expansion planning that would see HSN grow from its current bed capacity of 528 beds at the Ramsey Lake Health Centre and Kirkwood sites to Phase 1 early planning estimates of more than 750 beds by 2034 and more than 800 by 2043 as part of Phase 2.