Meeting being held to hear submissions from the public on the future of hospitals in the area

Members of the Hospital Capital Plan Development Task Force, the group appointed by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) to make a recommendation on a future hospital model for the area, will hear submissions from the community this evening.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the District of Muskoka Council Chambers, located at 70 Pine Street in Bracebridge, and is expected to run until 8 p.m.

Community members wishing to speak to the issue at tonight’s meeting were asked to register by February 26, 2018. Huntsville Councillor Bob Stone is one of the community members who registered to speak at the meeting.

Yes, I am going to be speaking to the task force and the hospital board. One thing that is on my mind is that I fear this public meeting is less about information gathering and more about checking the box that says consult with the public, but I hope they are listening and I suspect most of the messages will be speaking to the same issues Huntsville Councillor Bob Stone

Stone said he is against the single-site, centrally located hospital model, out of the three models being considered. “Even if it appears that it is the best thing for the hospital itself, I believe it would absolutely devastate our economies in both Huntsville and Bracebridge.

“It’s about the economy, they (hospital administrators) need to look beyond themselves. Don’t be so myopic to think it’s only about health care because the economy would be devastated and I think that a new build at both sites in some fashion and refurbishing old is possible. It’s not sexy, like a big shiny hospital, but I think it’s the appropriate move that we maintain two acute care facilities, how they look, I’m not sure but we need two emergency rooms with supporting services which are diagnostic and surgical services,” said Stone, adding that other services can be distributed between the two sites. “I think that could easily be worked out.”

Stone will have ten minutes to make his submission. He will be one of 17 speakers expected at tonight’s meeting. The meeting is open to everyone, including those not making a presentation. If you are unable to make the meeting you can watch it here.

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