The chair of the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) board says a motion passed last night was not an effort to covertly approve their model for healthcare in Muskoka.
“We plan to submit the plan to the province in November, not tomorrow,” said Board Chair Dave Uffelmann today. “This is by no means closing off the conversation or the discussion. This was simply a move to get the consultants working on fleshing out the package.”
During last night’s board of directors meeting, the Board voted unanimously to request their consultants proceed with detailed planning for the redevelopment of the hospital sites in Bracebridge and Huntsville.
Prior to the meeting, Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith and Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney were vocally opposed to the passing of the motion.
“To pass a resolution that gives direction to their consultants to start the ‘detailed planning and documentation for a Stage 1.3 submission’ is in fact giving their consultants the marching orders to design a model that MAHC can approve,” said Maloney. “That is a clear message that MAHC has not been listening to the repeated concerns they have heard from south Muskoka stakeholders.”
Uffelman said he spoke with both Maloney and Smith before the meeting.
“I was surprised at how vehement the reaction was. It may have been read differently than it was intended,” said Uffelmann regarding opposition to the motion. “I think some of that was a reaction to the sentiment from the broader community…but with the MPP and the Mayor of Bracebridge we all have the same objective of the highest quality of care while meeting our capital budget.”
Last night’s decision directs the hospital planning team to refine and elaborate on the redevelopment plan, ensuring it comprehensively meets community healthcare needs, says Uffelmann. It ensures that the hospital can adhere to timelines and secure its place in the provincial hospital redevelopment queue.
“We want to get the complete package to the board by October. Originally we had wanted that done by now…we need to get back in gear,” he said
Uffelmann says the model includes significant flexibility to cater to demographic changes.
“The solution must be data-based,” he said. “The key is to advance the model while still building in that flexibility. I think there’s general acceptance of the broad principles, the debate is around the numbers.”
Also approved was the direction to continue collaborating with consultants and stakeholders to address flexible space, future capacity planning, and key project success factors identified in the board package report, says Uffelmann.
The success of the plan is contingent on securing the $225 million local share for the project. Uffleman says despite the opposition to last night’s decision, he’s confident the community will still rally to support the project financially, and south Muskoka councillors will continue to support the project financially.
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MAHC has been hyper diligent throughout the decade long hospital redevelopment process. Dave Uffelmann does address the many stakeholder issues with reasonableness and care.
It might be appropriate for the dozens of stakeholders to step back and realise that no complex development can serve the specific requirements of all stakeholders. It is unrealistic. MAHC is trying to strategically move the various healthcare serviced communities forward so that healthcare delivery meets the ever changing needs of an extremely large catchment area with incredibly diverse wants.
With the redevelopment project estimated over $1B, the communities will need to pull together in support of MAHC or the redevelopment will most certainly not move forward over the decade ahead. Raising a local share of $225 million has never been done before in this catchment area and it could be beyond the capacity of our communities?
Over four years ago, a group of healthcare knowledgeable community leaders offered a Plan to MAHC that centred on a more cost-effective redevelopment approach. The Plan was based on expanding both existing hospitals to meet the new approaches in delivering healthcare and fully renovate the existing hospitals. The Plan development cost was in the range of $400M which would require a local share to be approximately $80M.
There may come a time in the hospital planning ahead when pragmatism will need to prevail and all stakeholders (including the provincial ministry) will move to a simpler and more cost effective development option while still modernising hospital delivery of services to our communities.
I called the Midland hospital to fact check the 100million dollars. The 100 million dollars is in fact the local share of the cost, not the entire amount. My stating this does not in any way shape or form mean I support MAHC’S proposal.
It is a shame that MAHC has never showed the public any studies showing the existing facilities can not be upgraded/renovated. The Huntsville site is probably not 50 years old.
MAHC can kiss the local share goodbye.
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/town-of-bracebridge-slams-mahc-board-pulls-back-on-10-million-in-funding/
MAHC is attempting to convince residents a much smaller hospital is a good thing. It’s not working.
When the current much bigger hospital is running at 150% capacity.
Just like Doug Ford is attempting to convince Ontario a much smaller Science Centre is a good thing.
That’s not working either.
Closure is based on many lies.
Only minor repairs are needed and can be done while it’s reopened according to architects and engineers.
MAHC is as trustworthy as Doug Ford and his minions.
Obviously it’s less expensive to do minor repairs to the existing building while it’s open than to build new.
Even one half the size.
Or even a tiny temporary one. 1/10 the size.
Search “Canadian Architect Cost of Ontario Science Centre temporary location exceeds cost of roof repairs”
Watch the video “Original architects say Science Centre didn’t have to close”
Obviously it’s less expensive to renovate the two existing hospital sites and add beds than build new.
Here is what Midland is getting for far less money.
Search “Georgian Bay General Hospital looks to future with $100M expansion plans”