A constructive meeting about Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) future hospital plans with its former adversary, the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) was held to discuss MAHC’s Capital Redevelopment plan. The project will bring more than $1 billion in provincial funding and local share contributions to building two new acute care hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville. South Muskoka residents label MAHC working groups as disingenuous Wednesday’s meeting offered both sides an opportunity for open dialogue on issues of importance to the community. These include: Both sides agreed decisions made through the redevelopment process will have long-term implications for patients, families, healthcare providers and communities throughout Muskoka. “SSMHC welcomed the opportunity to bring the community’s concerns directly to MAHC and to discuss the long-term implications of the redevelopment plan,” said Steve Webb, co-chairperson of SSMHC. “Our responsibility is to advocate for equitable access to health care and to ensure that the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital has the capacity to serve a growing population, both now and in the future. We appreciate the opportunity for dialogue, while recognizing that important questions about future capacity, access and transportation remain central to our advocacy.” MAHC revises controversial hospital proposal Incoming Chief of Staff Dr. Scott Whynot said he is optimistic about the two groups’ future endeavors. “Planning for the future of hospital care requires us to look carefully at how clinical services work together and how we can best support patients and providers,” said Whynot. “I am optimistic that the future model will strengthen coordinated care across Muskoka and support better experiences for patients, families and providers. Conversations like this give us an opportunity to share the clinical thinking behind the plan, answer questions and better understand the concerns being raised by the community.” SSMHC says it will continue to advocate for a redevelopment plan that provides equitable access to hospital care, appropriate acute care capacity in South Muskoka and consideration of the transportation challenges that can arise when services are centralized at one location. On track with Infrastructure Ontario’s timeline, MAHC is awaiting approval of its Stage 1.3 capital redevelopment submission and hopes to receive an update in the coming weeks.
