Memorial Park in Bracebridge will be the gathering spot for a rally hosted by the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee.
The rally is slated to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 23.
The organizers of the rally say they’re still “deeply concerned” about what Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is outlining for the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge with its “Made-in-Muskoka healthcare system” proposal. They add the committee was formed “to take all necessary steps to protect our hospital from a significant reduction in services.”
The not-for-profit committee is led by Bruce Kruger, who serves as its chair, with six others making up its board of directors.
In a statement to the MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom, Bobbie Clark, director of communications and stakeholder relations for MAHC, says the regional model being proposed will “transform how healthcare services are delivered in communities” inside and outside the walls of the hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville.
“We are concerned about the perception of some community members that vital services will be lost in the region,” she says. “We remain committed to preserving all existing services and expanding the services available in our community. Under our proposed regional health care plan, services at the Bracebridge site will expand considerably, including the addition of specialized surgical services and clinics.”
Clark says MAHC will continue to engage with the community about the project.
“We’re working to ensure everyone in the region has an understanding of the proposed plan and we’ve made progress through our recent engagement sessions with local health care partners, community organizations and members of the public,” she continues. “We will continue this important work to help all community members understand how this plan will enhance the future of health care in our region.”
