Ottawa Inner City Health

06/03/2026

Many believe closing supervised consumption services will reduce crime. But research in Ontario shows these services have neutral or even positive impacts on crime, with no link to increased violence. In fact, supervised consumption services can improve community safety by reducing public drug use and discarded equipment, while connecting people to care and support.

05/29/2026

OICH is passionate about palliative care and providing services at our Diane Morrison Hospice. That’s why we stand with Pallium Canada in calling for a National Palliative Care Training Standard for Long-Term Care, because residents and families deserve the best care centred on quality of life, dignity, and compassion.

Learn more:https://www.pallium.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pallium-Canada-2026-Federal-Pre-Budget-Submission.pdf

05/26/2026

Last week was PSW Day! We want to once again give a huge shoutout to all our incredible CCWs 💙 (and a special shoutout to Prime and Moji who are pictured). PSWs are essential frontline workers and such a big part of our organization!

05/25/2026

Over the past year, documentarian and filmmaker Patrick Kabeya has been speaking with community members to better understand the experiences of people navigating substance use during the ongoing toxic drug crisis. In this clip, one participant reflects on how substance use challenges can affect anyone, sharing that this was never something he imagined or expected for himself. He speaks to the importance of services like the CTS, which allow people to use more safely and are essential to his wellbeing. As the CTS faces funding loss and closure, stories like this highlight why these services matter. We are grateful to everyone who participated in this project and look forward to sharing more.

05/23/2026

Some members of our nursing team enjoyed a Creating with Clay workshop led by Soul Space Ottawa as part of Nursing Week. It was a pleasure to offer this time for reconnection, creativity, and a well-deserved moment of respite. Check out our team's creations!

05/23/2026

05/21/2026

What happens when CTS sites close?

Here’s what some of the evidence shows 👇

After other site closures across Ontario, communities saw sharp increases in EMS calls and fatal overdoses, putting added pressure on paramedics, emergency rooms, and hospitals. Drug use did not disappear, it was pushed to private residences, public washrooms, and local businesses.
At the same time, people lost access to sterile equipment, harm reduction supports, and trusted care providers.

The result:
�→ Increased strain on EMS and hospital systems�→ Higher risk of infection�→ More overdoses and deaths�→ Less connection to treatment and healthcare

This is what is likely to occur with the closure of the Sandy Hill CTS and The Trailer CTS.

05/19/2026

Happy PSW Day 💙 In partnership with Carefor, we were proud to celebrate our amazing frontline PSWs who work across all our programs! These "survival kits" went out to the units today as a small token of our appreciation!

05/18/2026

It’s World Museum Day! At OICH, we believe in the power of recreation as a valuable tool for recovery, community, and finding meaning. Part of this includes offering activities like visiting museums, which provide educational, engaging, and social opportunities for members of our community.

Enjoy some photos from a recent trip to the Nature Museum!

05/14/2026

A glimpse of some of the gifts and celebrations for Nurses Week! It has been a particularly challenging time for our organization, and we want our nurses to know just how deeply appreciated they are. OICH is proudly nurse-led, and we truly would not be who we are without the passion, dedication, and care of our incredible nursing team. Thank you all so much 💙