While discussing Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) ongoing hospital redevelopment project, Lake of Bays’ Mayor Terry Glover said the “bickering” between Bracebridge and Huntsville is “embarrassing.”
Peter Cross, vice chair and communications for the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee, submitted its latest report for Lake of Bays’ Sept. 10 council meeting.
The “recommendation for a healthcare delivery model and acute care beds at the future South Muskoka hospital site” endorses the updated “Care Close to Home” proposal, which was created by a group of South Muskoka-based physicians.
“What’s happened is that residents are upset and they’re using social media to promote their ideas, and they’ve pulled politicians into it,” said Glover. “But politicians, as we said as district, do not design hospitals. I would go further to say doctors have an input, but they don’t design hospitals.”
He explained how the process has been led by years of consulting, which has brought forward a one hospital, two site model. “Both hospitals rely on the other hospital so one can’t be eliminated because it carries half the load, or more,” continued Glover.
Glover pointed out how Bracebridge council recently brought in a consultant to look over MAHC’s “Made-in-Muskoka healthcare system” proposal. He said it’s contributed to the project becoming an issue pitting Bracebridge against Huntsville, with the four other municipalities in the District of Muskoka being forgotten.
“The four other municipalities that are supporting the lion’s share of these hospitals are all travelling,” he said, acknowledging the $77.3 million commitment from the district, which includes funding from throughout Muskoka, the $9.5 million from the municipalities of Almaguin Highlands, and $1 million from the Town of Gravenhurst.
Glover suggested the plan for the new hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville will see plenty of changes before 2029, which is when construction is currently slated to start. He noted how we’re seeing major advancements with artificial intelligence and improvements with how patients needing an alternative level of care are treated.
Coun. Rick Brooks cautioned those who continue to “poke the stick in the eye,” specifically mentioning residents in South Muskoka. “I’m kind of questioning whether or not some people realize how dangerous continuing to waffle on this is going to be,” he continued. “Because there are only so many hospitals that are going to get worked on in the next 10 years. We’re nearly at the top and we can very easily be at the bottom if we don’t get our act together and start to work on the same page.”
He added he’s been involved in multiple sessions with Cheryl Harrison, president and chief executive officer of MAHC, as the organization prepares to submit its proposal to the Ministry of Health in November.
“It’s not the Huntsville hospital,” he said. “It’s not the Bracebridge hospital. This is the Muskoka hospital and just happens to have two locations. End of story.”
