Further to an alarming press release issued by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (which manages both the Bracebridge and Huntsville hospitals) on October 4, 2023, regarding patient gridlock being experienced at both sites, Diane Goerge, Vice President of Integrated Care, Patient Services & Quality, said various factors are at play, which have resulted in overcapacity at both hospital sites.
“Occupancy has been a challenge for years hence our work to redevelop Muskoka’s hospitals. We believe the current spike in occupancy challenges is driven by systemic issues compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the general health care needs of our aging communities,” stated George via an email statement.
“Today, we have 50 Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients across both hospitals who no longer require acute care services of the hospital and are awaiting placement in an alternate setting – such as a long-term care facility, retirement home, or to go home with the appropriate home care supports in place. This continues to reinforce Muskoka’s need for new, expanded hospitals to manage today’s volumes let alone demand in the future. Staff shortages in areas across the hospital also contribute to operating challenges, but more importantly are placing added pressure on our staff, physicians and midwives.”
With the planned development of two new hospitals—one in Bracebridge and one in Huntsville—MAHC will see its beds increase by an additional 50 with a planned total number of beds between both sites at 150 beds.
The new Fairvern District Nursing Home currently being built has been approved for 160 beds, an overall increase of 84 beds from its current 76.
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Unless, and until, more BASIC beds are created in long term care homes, we can build bigger hospitals with many more beds but in time, we will still end up with the same scenario that MAHC has now- or worse! Owners of for profit homes are allowed to pocket the difference in the rates for anything other than a basic bed. Of course, they offer more preferred accommodations! But the vast majority of seniors can only afford a basic bed – yes, even here in Muskoka!
So until this crucial issue is addressed, the end result will never change.
“Today, we have 50 Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients across both hospitals who no longer require acute care services of the hospital and are awaiting placement in an alternate setting”. Yes, the new hospitals will provide 50 additional beds and the new Fairvern will provide 84 new beds. However, at the rate new residential buildings are being approved in Huntsville and the rate at which young seniors are moving to Huntsville, the new hospitals and long term care capacity will not eliminate patient gridlock a decade from now when our aging population will be even older than it is now. Let’s have some dialogue about what we need to be doing as a community to be ready for our health care needs in the mid 2030’s after the new health care facilities are open and operating at full capacity.
Ms. Goerge’s comments are interesting. Regarding the approximately 50 ALC (alternate level of care) patients in the combined hospital and unfortunately blocking active treatment beds does speak to redevelopment in the nursing home, retirement facility and at home services for the growing senior demographics in Ontario and the developed world.
The biggest priority currently is to have the Ministry seriously address the placement and required services for the aged population in Ontario and while there is a need over time to address the delivery of acute care, emergency and in-house clinical services, the ageing population boom (which was entirely predicable) is likely the most important priority affecting acute care and primary care.
There is a lot of political rhetoric on this topic at Queens Park but no fast tracking of interim and long term solutions. If it wasn’t for people like Tim Withey who was instrumental in having the Fairvern Nursing Home’s new development double it’s capacity by the Ministry, Huntsville would be in even a worse situation.
Whether local, district or provincial – voters need to think hard about what the most critical priorities are for them and their extended family AND vote accordingly.