It’s a step forward in the plans to redevelop hospitals in Muskoka. On Monday October 2nd, Parry-Sound Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith announced that he is backing a recent amendment by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) that would allocate 46 acute care beds at the Bracebridge hospital, a significant increase from the initial plan of 14 beds.
A news release issued by Smith’s office reads:
“I welcome the decision of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) Capital Redevelopment Committee to recommend to the Board of Directors an additional allocation of 10 net new beds for the future South Muskoka hospital site. This change brings the total bed allocation to 46, up from MAHC’s originally proposed 14 beds. This is a tremendously positive development.
Today’s announcement has been supported and endorsed by 45 physicians from the South Muskoka medical community. I want to thank them for their hard work and advocacy on behalf of their patients over the past several months.
I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of the broader community of residents and municipally elected officials, particularly Bracebridge Mayor, Rick Maloney. Their diligence was important in helping to raise awareness about the need for more beds in South Muskoka.
Over the past many months, I have done everything I could to facilitate discussion, find common ground and, ultimately, agreement, on the need to reconsider the bed allocation at the South Muskoka hospital site. Working towards a hospital solution that benefits everyone from Severn Bridge to South River and all points in between, has been my goal from the beginning.
I believe that today’s development and subsequent support from the medical community and municipalities from across Muskoka and Almaguin represents the “win-win” scenario we have all been seeking and working so hard to accomplish.
The South Muskoka hospital site will soon be home to a new full service, acute care hospital offering state of the art and greatly enhanced diagnostic, surgical and emergency services.
Our government’s capital investment into MAHC’s hospital redevelopments is larger on a per-capita basis than perhaps anywhere else in Canada. I have worked hard to secure this investment and will continue to work and advocate on behalf of every resident in the riding to ensure our communities continue to grow stronger, healthier and more prosperous.”
In a statement, Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney thanked Smith for his efforts and adds that the results are a collaboration of the Town, local doctors, and members of the community.
“The Town of Bracebridge is committed to supporting the health and wellness of our community and will strongly advocate for opportunities that keep care in our community,” the statement reads. “I will continue to support the efforts of the District of Muskoka to address the challenges of patients requiring alternative levels of care (ALC), and I am confident that with focused and collaborative efforts, we can work towards solutions that allow patients to be closer to the care and support they require. I am hopeful the Board will endorse this recommendation at their meeting this Thursday.”
Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock also issued a statement regarding the proposed changes stating, “I am very encouraged to see the revised proposal and its recognition of stakeholders’ concerns. I am confident that the revisions will go a long way towards helping finalize MAHC’s upcoming submission to the Province of Ontario, which will ensure that we have a multi-site regional hospital to meet the needs of our community today and tomorrow. Given the Province’s initial funding commitment, and pending MAHC Board approval, I am optimistic that the proposal will now move forward within the timeline. It’s important to note that there will be no changes to the model for the Huntsville site with this proposed submission.”
The MAHC’s proposed Made-in-Muskoka Healthcare system will allow each site to specialize in different services, focusing staff on patient groups with like diagnoses and providing enhanced patient care services and programs, as well as assisting in recruitment for specialty staff and physicians. The two expanded new facilities will have an overall increase of 44 (previously 34) hospital beds and the overall square footage will almost double, increasing by over 250,000 sq. ft. Enhanced medical services across the region include expanding emergency departments to include a fast track for minor conditions, improved mental health rooms, and streamlined ambulance offload processes. Diagnostic services are set to broaden beyond hospital settings, with plans to include MRI capabilities. The proposal seeks to integrate indigenous healing practices into the healthcare framework and incorporate virtual care solutions.
Final approval from the board is needed before the proposal can be submitted to the Ministry of Health. The Board will meet at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Boardroom on October 10th from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
