Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
Once again, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, (MAHC) has shown how much they really care when it comes to providing equal health care services to the people of North Muskoka and East Parry Sound.
Over the past decade or so, only huge public and political pressure from folks in Huntsville and surrounding areas has prevented important health care services being removed from our community.
Do you remember when there was a push to centre all obstetric services in Bracebridge? More recently there was the former acting medical chief of staff for MAHC, who publicly said there should only be one door for surgery in Muskoka and that door should be in Bracebridge. The new medical chief of staff for MAHC lives in Orillia and we have no idea what he thinks.
Then, of course, there was the whole debacle of whether or not there would be two acute care hospitals in Muskoka, MAHC at first considering a single site or only one acute care hospital with the other reverting to ambulatory and geriatric care. They only backed off after substantial public anger and concern forced them to reconsider.
And now MAHC is at it again, making the ridiculous and potentially dangerous decision to close, as of August 28, the COVID-19 assessment centre in Huntsville and centring this vital, however temporary, service only out of Bracebridge.
Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano is livid about this, and in a letter to the chair and CEO of MAHC, a copy of which has been obtained by Doppler, she reflects her concern and that of Huntsville Council in the strongest possible terms about the decision to close the COVID-19 assessment centre here, and the total lack of consultation with the Town before doing so. In part, she says this:
“…your unilateral decision to close the COVID-19 Test Centre in Huntsville…is entirely unacceptable and leaves our community and those to the north and east of us vulnerable and potentially unsafe during the current pandemic. This is particularly so when children in our community are going back to school on September 8th and when Provincial health officials are concerned about a surge in the COVID-19 virus this Fall.”
The mayor and Huntsville Council are exactly right.
In my view, the decision made by MAHC officials to close the COVID-19 assessment centre in Huntsville, and the manner in which they went about it, was totally irresponsible.
Rapid testing to monitor and control the curve of COVID-19 is highly encouraged by health care experts and local accessibility where people, especially young people and seniors, do not have to travel miles to receive this important service—and therefore may not do so—is critically important.
MAHC officials have stated that the decision to locate the assessment centre just in Bracebridge is only because of a lack of staff and resources. I wonder. I somewhat understand the staffing issue because the federal government’s CERB program is encouraging people to stay home and not work. But as Mayor Terziano has pointed out, both the federal and provincial governments are pouring money into resources for issues related to the pandemic and there has to be a way for MAHC to access these to keep locally accessible testing available.
It is also hard to understand why the folks at MAHC have kept Town officials totally out of the loop when deciding about the future of the COVID-19 assessment centre in Huntsville, an issue that directly and adversely affects the people whom they represent. It is clear that they have been contemplating it for weeks and even though there have been frequent update meetings at which both MAHC and Huntsville officials were present, nary a peep about what was being plotted. To me, this smacks of deception.
That is why another part of Mayor Terziano’s letter to MAHC is important, when she says this:
“As you are aware, residents of Huntsville and East Parry Sound have had reservations over the past several years concerning the depth of MAHC’s commitment to an acute care hospital in this community. This most recent decision to close an important health care facility in Huntsville during a time of crisis only increases that concern. Is this decision simply one more thrust in ‘death by a thousand cuts’ when it comes to health care services in Huntsville?”
Again, dead on the money.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare needs to reverse its decision to close the COVID-19 assessmwnt centre in Huntsville and they need to do it immediately. It puts people in our community at risk, it demonstrates a lack of equity in the provision of this vital service during a pandemic, and it undermines the confidence in people from North Muskoka and East Parry Sound that MAHC is really fighting for two acute care hospitals in Muskoka.
If MAHC will not reverse this decision, then we need another call to action as we had in relation to the hospitals a few years ago. During this virus crisis, as at all other times, we deserve the same attention and the same services as any other community.
We know where our municipal leaders stand in relation to closing the COVID-19 assessment centre in Huntsville. We need to know where our District and provincial leaders stand. In fairness, I understand that our MPP Norm Miller has indicated he would like to help.
That would be greatly appreciated.
Hugh Mackenzie
[Read Mayor Terziano’s letter to MAHC here (PDF).]
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Myself I kind of wonder if testing is going to do much good or not. My thinking is if you feel sick then for gods sake just stay home and quarantine yourself for a couple of weeks. My wife and I are both seniors and I like to think that we take as much precaution as we can to avoid getting sick with any flu. We shop early to stay away from crowds . We have done that for years so nothing new for us. So far this has worked just hope it keeps working. If a lot of people would practice safe distancing it would sure help but some just don’t seem to know how far 6 feet is and some just don’t care. Stores have the first hour supposed to be for seniors but they never enforce it I see a lot of young people there early. All we can do is the best we can.
Hugh M. is 100% right. Those who think losing our testing center is not that big a deal need to think again. With school opening imminent and the cold and flu season fast approaching (& no COVID vaccine available), the need for easy/fast access testing for our town and surrounding area is absolutely critical. This is not only for the elderly, who are at highest risk, but for everyone, to allow for rapid identification of the virus (vs. a cold/flu) and then early containment. We cannot afford another economic shutdown as the last resort to contain the virus spread.
MAHC’s decision to only service the Bracebridge area while leaving Huntsville with nothing and blindsiding town Council, is extremely shortsighted and very bad, just like many of their past decision’s that would have hurt our town. This needs to be rectified very quickly. Speak-up Huntsville!
Matt: I totally agree that many people and elected officials in Huntsville have done a great job in helping to control the curb of the COVID-19 virus here. But there is no “slander”(libel) in the article I wrote. The facts are accurate and researched. There is now a MAHC testing site in Bracebridge and the one in Huntsville has been closed by MAHC. That is simply not right.
Thank you Mr David Harrison. Very good points highlighting the need for more information prior to passing judgement on this. A little disappointed by the derisive tone of the author, when he really hasn’t presented the facts we need to come to an informed decision on this. I think we need to take a moment to recognize the great job the folks in Huntsville have done in limiting the spread of this virus in our community, especially when considering the number of passers-through we receive.
In times of crisis we need to take a moment to appreciate the impact fear can have on the way we treat one another. We need to be careful not to let our fear drive us to slander experienced, informed community members who are working under tight timelines to do what they feel is best as responsible stewards of limited resources in a volatile situation.
Thank you Mayor Terziano for your well-written letter on our behalf!
Surely the MAHC Board must realize that this is a serious health risk for the residents of Huntsville and surrounding area due to the distance and delays in getting appointments and results….very disappointing!
https://theconversation.com/will-the-new-15-minute-covid-19-test-solve-us-testing-problems-145285?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20September%201%202020%20-%201718716601&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20September%201%202020%20-%201718716601+Version+B+CID_f6b37d4ef00cf79d80911e8166f75af5&utm_source=campaign_monitor_us&utm_term=Will%20the%20new%2015-minute%20COVID-19%20test%20solve%20US%20testing%20problems Why don’t we sign up to test this?
When I first heard of the decision to close the Huntsville testing center, the first words I spoke were of course Bracebridge is the beating heart of Muskoka. However that is not correct and they only have limited resources as well. From my perspective Huntsville has at least as much need for Covid testing as the remainder of Muskoka. I do not know the ratio of seniors in Huntsville versus the other municipalities, but I doubt it is less than them. MAHCs’ failure to discuss to talk to our council before making this decision is completely wrong read disgusting. I am a senior and so far lucky enough to be able to drive but many folks are not and I can tell you I will not be travelling to Orillia or North Bay to get tested and because I am stubborn and disagree with your decision Bracebridge either.
Thank you Mayor Terziano and Mr. Mackenzie for bringing this to the attention of the community. Just hearing news foesn’t often bring the whole situation to the forefront. This certainly puts a new spin on it. Glad I took the time to read!
Thank you Mayor Terziano! Thete are too many intersecting levels of government. Once again, Huntsville and East Parry Sound has critical healthcare appropriated by bureaucrats , some of whom dont even live here(ie medical officer of health)
But even more infuriating to me is the condescending autocratic manner in which this board, and other layers of government, dictate to is how our services are to be offered.. We in fact, live in a democracy. You, board members , MAHC administration,etc, need to learn some humi.ity and respect for us. DO NOTTAKE OUR HEALTH CARE SERVICES!
THANK YOU Mayor Terziano!
-For speaking up against the Huntsville Covid Testing Centre closure. How irresponsible.
So grateful for your strength and commitment to your constituents.
I believe Mr. Holland has a valid
suggestion – with 100 paramedics here, having a testing centre at their Hanes Rd. location could eliminate some of MAHC’s excuses for their terrible decision.
Doctors and Pharmacies now give various shots including the upcoming Flu shot.Could they also not administer a swab or a less invasive test for Covid and have them sent for testing ?One stop shopping and less criticism of Our wonderful volunteers !?!
Supporting Four levels of Government in Muskoka during these difficult times is proving to be overwhelming. As I have stated in the past all Canadians deserve adequate access to all health care related services. And COVID 19 testing is now a priority I’m afraid. The provinces and municipalities finances are in shambles. We need government reform now in order to avoid the inevitable in the future.
Or we can watch all services that we need disappear as the well runs dry.
All levels of Government in Canada need to be revamped before the cost of maintaining them cripples the entire country financially.
Or we can allow our elected officials to increase taxes significantly and impoverish us all.
Or we could get Dorothy to click her heels and close her eyes and then everything will be ok again in OZ.
I totally agree with Mayor Karin Terziano. Even if they had to pick one hospital for this, it should have been Huntsville. After all, Bracebridge isn’t too far from Orillia but Huntsville is in the middle of a large area depending on them from the north, east and west. I was saddened when the hospitals amalgamated especially after what happened to Burk’s Falls hospital, it seemed obvious what would eventually come to be (or threatened). Just like when they split Muskoka Parry Sound Health Unit in two. It sounds like they will save money but they rarely do and usually the only thing that happens is lost service.
There are 100 paramedics in Muskoka. I am not aware of the protocols at the paramedic station on Hanes Road, but like a fire station, I suspect there is a lot of time spent waiting for a call. Why not do Covid testing there. If people had to wait occasionally because of a call for an Ambulance, that would be better than having everyone drive to a far away test site. How many tests per day are we talking and how long do they take? If we can do testing in a drive through tent, surely that can be done at a well-equipped paramedic station.
All good comments.
Maybe if MAHC like that proposed “new hospital” site near Port Sydney so much they should set up all the testing there! I’m sure they could park near the highway ramps with a small motor home and do it all from there. That way there would be no worries about which hospital actually got the test site. Just joking here but it would seem to be right up the MAHC mode of operation to do something like this.
I believe that amalgamation was a mega-mistake and was never in Huntsville’s best interest.
Arbitrarily eliminating the testing site from our community is one example of this mistake.
If there is a decline in testing, there will be less control of the situation, more unknowns, more disease and less commitment to following directives since what we don’t know, won’t bother us.
Is it blatant deception? Is it one more thrust in death by a thousand cuts? Looks like it to me.
Hugh’s commentary is extremely valuable as is the letter from Mayor Terziano and comments of Councillor Withey.
It is very hard to believe that the MAHC board of directors could be so remiss in not bringing this issue to the board table. This operational decision is unacceptable and the lack of fiduciary conduct by the board in not realising that full testing in Huntsville was at a minimum, not in the best interest of the Muskoka north local community. How this happened is very hard to contemplate. Chair Renwick, and Vice Chairs Miller & Deane do your job in challenging a decisions that so obviously poses a threat to the community and sends a message of strong bias against the greater Huntsville community (which represents a disproportionate popular of your catchment of care).
There comes a point at which the cost/benefit ratio needs to be considered.
Question: How many tests are being conducted on a daily basis In Huntsville?
What is the cost of having a medical doctor and an administrator present 6-days a week?
If distances are a concern, would it not be more cost efficient to pay for a taxi fare for the 35-minute drive to Bracebridge for seniors, etc.
If there is an uptick in cases, how difficult would it be to reinstate testing in Huntsville?
Without knowing these facts I find this a rather knee jerk reaction to a pragmatically made decision.
Clear words, Mayor, – well roared, Lion Tim!
Let me encourage all of you that you are able to turn things to better account in acting united, numerously,, quickly, clearly and in front of the right door. See what has been possible even in authoritarian states like East Germany 1989 and the Baltics 1990 with it’s “singing revolution”.
Must be possible 2020 in our few democracies and must be possible in our (since 30 years) favorite town and region. Hope to be able to see my friends again as soon as travel will be reopened between Germany and Canada.
Take care!
I fully agree with Hugh, and the comments particularly Tim’s.
The pandemic and Covid-19 seem to be used now for more political and selfish interests than sincere efforts to contain it. Significant resources have been squandered if a second outbreak happens in near future. And for the hospital board to recommend people drive all over to obtain services that were offered locally makes no sense particularly when you add it the environmental impact and loss work time.
thanks
This is a great letter from Mayor Terziano. But I believe we have to push further and demand de-amalgamation now. As I have stated many times in the past, Huntsville and Bracebridge should never have almalgamated in the first place. Time to put an end to this ridiculous situation.
Huntsville Council needs to send a strong united message to the Premier that enough is enough. To make this move on the cusp of flu season with schools and facilities trying to reopen safely is simply irresponsible.
Who are these people that run the MAHC and who elected them seems to me they think they are gods and don’t have to answer to anyone. They seem to have a spite against the north for some reason like the closing of the hospital in Burks Falls . Now they seem to want to close the Huntsville hospital will it be Bracebridge next then Orillia. I guess we will soon have to go to Toronto if we need medical attention. We need local people making the decisions about heath care in our communities not people who live miles away.
I got an alert on my Covid app late in the day Thursday Aug 27. I called continuously on Friday Aug 28 to get an appointment for a test, and left a message as well. I finally got through early afternoon Aug 28, and was advised my test would be scheduled for Monday Aug 31. Meaning, I would self isolate from late Thursday Aug 27 to when I got the test results anywhere from Wed Sep 2 and on. The person on the phone advised me to go to Orillia or North Bay where testing was available with no appointment necessary, or wait till Monday for the test and 2-10 days for the result. When you get the alert, days are important. So I went to Orillia, got the test on Friday Aug 28, and got the negative result late Saturday Aug 29. Woohoo. On my way home from Orillia I got a return call from my voice message of Friday Aug 28, and said that I’d been to Orillia and didn’t need an appointment now. They were quite cheerful and said I’d made the right decision, and they were struggling to get things going in Bracebridge as a one-site – whoa!!! This is not acceptable – difficulty setting up appointments, travel from Huntsville to Bracebridge, even the staff recommending going to Orillia or North Bay. This is not right. If you want us to use the app, let us get tested quickly and locally!
Again comments are right on. This is an irresponsible decision and one that should not be allowed to stand.
I agree with Mayor Terziano and the writer Hugh M 100%. Every plague has had its second wave and, withthis one, there are too many online factors as to exactly how it spreads.