A follow-up engagement session with members of the Credentialed Staff Association in Muskoka resulted in a positive outcome, according to Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare in a press release issued on the evening of March 27, 2024.
MAHC says it is encouraged about changes being explored following an engagement session Wednesday evening with the Credentialed Staff Association (CSA) that includes physicians and other care providers from both North and South Muskoka.
“We are optimistic about the positive and collaborative nature of our discussions tonight,” said Cheryl Harrison, President and CEO at MAHC. “We are getting closer to alignment on a proposal that is integrated, patient-centered, and sustainable. We still have work to do, and we are grateful to those who continue to work closely with us to inform a plan that best suits our community,” said Harrison.
The group reviewed data related to the planning process and the “Care Close to Home” model put forth by some South Muskoka physicians in February of this year; of which preliminary costing falls well outside the budget parameters set by the Ministry and local share funders. Session discussion included concepts such as adding more beds and preserving labour and delivering obstetrical services at the Bracebridge site.
“We have had a healthy discussion that has taken us closer to a model that is good for the whole region and each of the communities,” said John Simpson, Director and Chief of Emergency Medicine.
MAHC says it will continue to engage the CSA to provide additional data and information for discussion with this group. Influencing factors in the finalization of a plan include the impact on total cost, staffing models, the funding required from the provincial government, and the local share contribution from the municipalities and the hospital foundations.
The next steps in the planning process will incorporate ongoing engagement with internal staff, credentialed staff and volunteers, community organizations, and the broader public before finalizing the plan for submission.
Details on further engagement will be available in the coming weeks.
Stakeholder Updates
To keep our communities updated on the progress and upcoming engagement opportunities, MAHC says it will continue to release weekly updates.
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Norm Raynor says
It would be good if an explanation were given as to how the care close to home plan falls well outside the budget set by the ministry and local funding providers.
I find it hard to believe that it would cost more to implement the care close to home plan as compared to the MAHC plan.
So please show us the numbers. This is something that everyone in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands should know.
John Whitty says
Once again MAHC brushes off other solutions like Care Close to Home as too expensive without any numbers.
You can’t believe their numbers anyway.
MAHC still needs to explain how Midland can get 240 beds for only $100 million.
And why they are stuck on building completely new instead of adding wings to the existing facilities for a fraction of the cost as the vast majority of hospitals do.
New, far more expensive, hospital building rules only apply to new builds not existing facilities.
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.
MAHC claimed adding to Bracebridge hospital is too disruptive. Not true at all.
Simply build over top of the existing parking lot.
Not disruptive to the rest of the hospital at all.
Given a choice of having to park at the arena parking lot during the build or losing the Bracebridge hospital people will gladly park elsewhere.
If the MAHC board had already proceeded, years ago, with the accepted 2 equal hospital plan taxpayers could have saved hundreds of millions of dollars and be set for the next 40 years.
As Dave Wilkin said:
“This journey started about 12 years ago, and yet, here we are today with no hospital capital upgrades done and fighting again in the community over what is still an unaffordable plan. If they had listened to our and the majority of community voices back then, and instead of brand new hospitals, they opted for incremental existing site upgrades, we would be well on the way to the much-needed capacity expansion and hospital renewal, at an affordable cost. This is the route the vast majority of hospitals in Ontario take.”
The plan for the Bracebridge hospital is just a ruse.
As Dr. Daniel of Gravenhurst (retired) said in his letter to Ms. Harrison at MAHC reposted on Facebook:
“You can just imagine a scenario when following much hand wringing, MAHC announcing that despite all the best efforts, the Bracebridge site had become unsustainable and would have to close leaving a single site hospital Huntsville.”
The ridiculous new mini hospital for Bracebridge is obviously just a ruse to placate residents in the southern 2/3 of Muskoka and keep donations flowing.
The ruse isn’t working.
No one is buying it.
The mini hospital will likely be cancelled at a later date as it’s not viable.
Leaving Bracebridge with no hospital at all.
MAHC’s dithering has cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. And could also cost us a full service hospital in Bracebridge.
They had their chance and blew it. Twice so far. Deja vu.
In any business they would be fired.