At multiple points during an hour-long rally at Memorial Park in Bracebridge on Sunday, the assembled crowd chanted “keep the promise.”
They were referencing the slogan used by the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMH) for the signs placed in the windows of many businesses and on the lawns of homes throughout South Muskoka. The phrase stems from a previous commitment from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) to build two equal hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville.
However, the status quo model was deemed too costly, so MAHC introduced the “Made-in-Muskoka Jan. 2024. After community and physician pushback about some aspects of the plan – notably the allocation of beds – the proposal was reworked in April.
The rally was organized by SSMH to support the area’s physicians and express frustration with what MAHC is proposing for the future South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge.
Bruce Kruger, chair of SSMH, said there’s too much that we don’t know about the plan, adding what we do know creates an unfair balance with the future hospitals.
“Our physicians deserve strong support,” he said.
Kruger referenced the recent meeting organized by Mayor of Bracebridge Rick Maloney, and featuring the mayors of Muskoka Lakes and Gravenhurst, District Chair Jeff Lehman, representatives from MAHC, and a group of doctors from the area.
“I thought it was tremendous that Mayor Rick Maloney took the lead on that,” said Kruger.
In his remarks after last week’s meeting, Maloney said it was “an important step in rebuilding trust between all the partners.”
Kruger agreed, saying the meeting will mean nothing if no action is taken. “We encourage our future talks with the leaders to be done with one thought in mind: Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare must not only listen, but act fairly and properly,” continued Kruger.
“At MAHC, we recognize the importance of transparency and rebuilding trust,” said Bobbie Clark, director of communications and stakeholder relations, in a statement to the MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom. She added they will continue to “enhance communication with stakeholders and address feedback constructively” which includes regular meetings with provincial officials.
“Our consistent engagement with physicians through multiple meetings underscores our commitment to open communication and informed decision-making,” continued Clark. “We look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to ensure the best healthcare outcomes for our community.”
Kali Robinson works as a nurse at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge and Huntsville District Memorial Hospital. She attended the rally with her son Oden.
“I just want us to be able to have equal opportunities in both our towns,” she said while waiting for the rally to start. “I want everybody’s voices to be heard. If we don’t make our voice heard, then they can use our silence.”
Oden added he wants to be a doctor and hopes to be able to work in Bracebridge.
“I want to help people,” he said. “When they’re hurt, they come to us for help, and we can make them feel better.”
Robinson foreshadowed what Katie Peleikis would say in her remarks during the rally: MAHC needs to detail a transportation plan before its proposal is submitted.
Peleikis, who spent five years as a dispatcher with Muskoka Paramedic Services (MPS), said if MAHC’s plan goes forward as proposed, it could put the community at risk.
“There is a lot of demand on our [emergency medical services],” she said.
She explained how MPS has eight ambulances year-round with an extra two in the summer. Peleikis added while MPS benefits from agreements with neighbouring paramedics services, they cover a large area with a limited number of resources.
“Every second counts when our paramedics are trying to get to their patients,” she added. “These are lifesaving seconds.”
Peleikis also explained how paramedics can be forced off the road because of what’s called an offload delay. She said when a hospital is too busy to accommodate a new patient, the paramedics must wait with the person until a nurse is available. “That ambulance is now out of service and cannot respond to the next 911 emergency that comes in,” continued Peleikis.
She said the hospitals are already overburdened and doesn’t believe MAHC’s current proposal will make a positive difference.
“If there is not a transportation plan fully developed budgeted and accounted for, there is no hospital model that can be submitted,” said Peleikis.
The rally featured a handful of speakers, including Matt Richter, deputy leader of the Green Party of Ontario, Sara Labelle, chair of the Ontario Public Sector Employees Union Professionals Division, and Ruth Shaw, registered nurse and president of the local bargaining unit.
While they each focused on different elements, all of them said they don’t want to be a north vs. south issue.
“I’m not suggesting that we get a superior hospital to Huntsville, I’m simply asking MAHC to use common sense,” said Peleikis. “This isn’t rocket science. Give us the promised hospital to keep South Muskoka safe and allow our paramedics to do their jobs and be available for life saving emergencies.”
