Muskoka Alonguqin Healthcare has just released the following statement about proposed changes to the level of service at the Bracebridge and Huntsville hospital sites:
“Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is releasing an important statement to reinforce its commitment to further consideration of the hospital redevelopment proposal.
The Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare team understands the importance of carefully considered hospital redevelopment plans, not only to our communities but also to our healthcare team. Consultation on a proposed model is an essential step in our journey toward defining a future model of care across two new hospitals that enhances quality of care for everyone and is sustainable and affordable.
There has been substantial feedback shared through eight community engagements attended by nearly 2,000 people in person or virtually, on various social media platforms, and direct emails to Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare. All feedback is valued and appreciated and is being listened to, including the advocacy and feedback provided by community leaders such as Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith and local mayors.
The team is committed to taking the time necessary to explore input and changes to a future model of care to develop the right solution for all communities served by the hospitals that ensures enhanced quality care, sustainability and affordability.
Consultation is continuing with discussions scheduled later this month with the medical staff that belong to the Credentialed Staff Association. Arrangements are also being made for a second community meeting in Bracebridge on Monday, February 12, 2024 with more details to be shared. The Capital Redevelopment Project Team is committed to continued engagement with all stakeholders – hospital staff, physicians and midwives, volunteers healthcare partners, and the community at large – over the next several months.”
The province is responsible for the vast majority of the funding of the nearly $1 billion project. Updated cost estimates from MAHC have put the project, as originally proposed, at closer to $1.5 billion.
That increase in cost was the primary driver behind the creation of the proposed Made-in-Muskoka Healthcare system. That plan, released in late January, calls for the reallocation of the services available at the two hospitals.
Under the new plan, the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital would have 139 acute care beds and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (SMMH) would have 14 beds. Both facilities would have 24/7 emergency rooms with SMMH increasing emergency room beds from 11 to 27. The number of inpatient beds in Bracebridge would decrease from 67 to 18. Huntsville’s inpatient care beds will go from 56 to 139.
MAHC anticipates surgical/ procedural visits will go from 3,900 to 9,7000 in Bracebridge. Bracebridge will lose obstetrics but Harrison said the site should see 2,000 more visits a year.
The proposal was lambasted by many South Muskoka healthcare workers, politicians and members of the public during a series of meetings MAHC has hosted across the region.
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Susan Godfrey says
Not impressed by all this drama and confusion, ostensibly turning Bracebridge against Huntsville in competition for services. The people have spoken and re-jigging the Made in Muskoka model will just add more confusion. I believe it’s incumbent on our MPP Smith to “remind” the DF government to deliver as promised! Of course the costs would rise incrementally..with each year that the project languishes in the consultation phase. Muskokans’ don’t care; get on with it and give us what we were promised Doug Ford. This is on his Ministry of Health not the MAHC that is obviously, and unnecessarily, overburdened with this task. Seriously, based on demographics, this should have happened ten years ago ..in case anyone feels I am picking on the Cons! The Libs were no better in this regard. The ball is in Ford’s court now.
John Whitty says
If the MAHC board had already proceeded, years ago, with the accepted 2 equal hospital plan we could have saved hundreds of millions of dollars and be set for the next 40 years.
The MAHC and the airport boards should be fired.
They had their chance and blew it.
And new eyes hired with a proper vision for the future acceptable to users.
Going forward, what can you get for $500 million each to Bracebridge and Huntsville?
Turns out quite a lot.
For a measly $100 million Midland is getting 240 beds and more.
“the $100 million project making room for 240 beds, four operating rooms and the capacity to serve over 70 thousand patients each year, added space that physicians say would be game-changing for patient care.”
Search “Georgian Bay General Hospital looks to future with $100M expansion plans”
Don’t believe any of MAHC’s justifications of this flawed plan.
Or any of the costs quoted.
Just like District councillors should have ignored the plethora of misinformation that was presented to them by the airport board.
Even though District councillors are aware they have been misled/duped and their time wasted for years by the dangerously incompetent airport board they are thinking of wasting $343K of taxpayer dollars on them for a MSC.
Unbelievable.
How much time has also been wasted by MAHC only to come up with an unacceptable plan?
While costs spiral?
All councillors had to do was pick up where they left off at the “flippant” meeting when they realized they had been misled for years regarding the new 12/30 runway that never was a viable option.
Nothing to do with cost as airport staff claimed.
And the safety and usability of Muskoka airport restored as it has been for decades.
For a tiny fraction of the $343K the District plans to waste for a MSC.
In fact ZERO dollars is needed to restore the safety and usability of the airport as it was for decades.
https://southmuskoka.doppleronline.ca/auxiliary-and-family-health-team-push-back-against-hospital-plans/
Erin Jones says
One of the main problems with funding healthcare is the reduction of promised funding from Ottawa, under previous Liberal governments there. This leaves the provinces scrambling to make up the difference–especially Ontario which gets the largest share of immigrants.
Linda Hollin says
Responding to Susan Godfrey and her references to Doug Ford’s promises …… we all need to remember that this is the same Doug Ford who promised to never develop the Green Belt.
Richard Hogg says
As I watch the changes in the 2 hospital proposals, I want to add my 40 years of hospital administration to this. We just saw that a strike of the pen could easily change the model. Therefore the best solution for both communities is to have 2 equal & separately managed hospitals at the size we can afford. Then both communities should compete for fund raising and recruitment of physicians and staff. Why would anyone donate anything if an official could easily change funding allocations if one community was more successful.
James Jolly says
Confusion is in full display! I’m almost 90 and can still think clearer than some of the things I see proposed. I like the 50/50 concept best. Lots of luck. J.J.