Cheryl Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC), told Huntsville council, they’re preparing to submit the hospital redevelopment proposal as early as this November.
She shared during the June 26 General Committee meeting how MAHC is in frequent contact with officials from Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health.
“They have given us all indications that the sooner we can get the submission, obviously, the better,” said Harrison, adding how they’ve said they’re “pleased” with the ongoing community engagement.
She highlighted how MAHC is one of many in line for funding from Infrastructure Ontario.
In the agency’s latest update in June, 14 projects are listed under ‘health,’ including MAHC. The estimated design and construction cost for MAHC’s project is listed between $500 million and $1 billion.
“This new regional model will transform our healthcare services and how they’re delivered in our communities,” outlined Harrison.
She used the analogy of a heart to describe how the hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville will work in tandem.
Harrison said the hospital in Bracebridge will be a “busy hub” for outpatient services, including the area’s cancer care centre, while Huntsville will support patients with long-term needs.
“Huntsville will have more beds because patients will require longer length of stays, greater than six days, and will require specialized services like acute rehab, reactivation, and acute care for the elderly,” she said.
While they did allocate more beds to the hospital in Bracebridge in April 2024, Harrison said with an aging population, they need to take an innovative approach to healthcare.
“Care is not defined by beds but by services and programs available to support the unique needs of each patient,” she said. “Beds don’t heal, services do.”
With a catchment area of 40,000 sq. mi. – 51 percent in the south and 49 percent to the north – Harrison said they must ensure everyone has access to equal care.
Dave Uffelmann, who was recently appointed as chair for MAHC’s board of directors, said MAHC has been cautious to not fuel a debate between municipalities, adding how he appreciates Huntsville and other councils trying to do the same.
“It’s now time to move forward,” he said, adding how those who have been “quietly supporting the model” need to speak up.
Mayor of Huntsville Nancy Alcock agreed, pointing out how what’s proposed is not focusing on one area getting more than another, but that everyone in Muskoka is supported.
“I think that many of us have been actually sitting back to allow the ongoing consultation to take place with our colleagues in the southern part of Muskoka. But having said that, it hasn’t prevented any of us to continue to dialogue with all of our colleagues both in the south and even in the north,” she continued.
Alcock added how the province is giving them an “amazing opportunity” to redevelop our area’s hospitals, allowing MAHC to add and expand services.
“We are confident that, along with the input received during the public consultation process, our communities will receive the high-quality healthcare that Muskoka needs,” noted Alcock. “From the very beginning we have been actively involved in this project. The ongoing community consultation that has taken place is imperative to get health care right in our region, and while we have been actively listening to these conversations, we have continued to advocate and dialogue with our stakeholders.”