A glowing review of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC)’s redevelopment proposal appears likely to get Bracebridge council back on board with a $10 M commitment to the new hospital build.
During the upcoming Nov. 5 Bracebridge general committee meeting, councillors will receive a review of MAHC’s redevelopment proposal, as prepared by Medcura Health. They will also vote on whether to confirm a $10 million contribution to the project.
In September 2023, council agreed to contribute $10 in funds, land or in-kind goods or services for a new Bracebridge hospital. However, in July of this year, they voted to withhold that funding over concerns that the plans did not include enough new beds at the Bracebridge site.
It appears adjustments made by MAHC last month to include 10 more beds in Bracebridge might be enough to turn the tide.
In their report, Medcura finds that although the 36-bed model may have been adequate under normal operating conditions, it would have been stressed during surge events and provided limited opportunities for flexibility and growth. The final proposed model, which includes 10 additional beds in Bracebridge, provides a sufficiently robust local solution, according to the consultant.
The review was based on MAHC’s current capital redevelopment proposal, including for both sites: expanded emergency departments; labour and delivery services; ICU capacity; and general surgery, as well as non-duplicated services separated between the sites.
Medcura also highlights the value of the provincial government’s support and the importance of capitalizing on the opportunity for significant health care investment for the area.
Not all hospital beds are created equal, the report indicates, and the types of services to be delivered in Huntsville require more beds and more physical footprint due to the long stays those patients will experience.
Medcura believes that, although recruitment and retention is a challenge throughout Ontario, healthcare workers will be attracted to the Bracebridge site as it will provide more predictability given the scheduled nature of many of the services to be delivered.
The General Committee meeting takes place at 9 am in the Council Chambers and can be viewed online at the Town website.
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Jim Breen says
Bracebridge is getting an excellent deal. A bigger and better hospital, with 10 more acute care beds than Huntsville.
The Save South Muskoka Hospital people are quickly becoming a laughingstock. It appears they’re having too much fun stirring the pot and getting in front of the cameras to actually care about healthcare.
MAHC messed up originally, but all’s well that end’s well.
Let’s get on with it. Build the hospitals and come together as a community.
John Whitty says
Don’t be duped like the District was.
Don’t be surprised Muskoka ends up with a single hospital and South Muskoka gets nothing.
That has been MAHC’s plan all along.
For 12 years.
MAHC may present their two hospital plan, in order to get funding, but don’t be surprised they come back later and state that it’s too expensive and only one going forward is the only possible option.
Again.
It appears the hospital board are using the same ruse as the documented, dangerously incompetent airport board used to dupe councillors into closing a runway.
Muskoka airport used to have two usable runways.
Still does but one is closed for no reason at all.
A “new” runway was to replace the far superior existing one but that was just to dupe councillors into closing the far superior existing one.
Once it was closed the “new” one suddenly skyrocketed in price and was cancelled.
In fact the “new” runway never was a viable option. Nothing to do with cost.
Just like the original tiny new Bracebridge clinic/hospital never was a viable option.
Even when it was crystal clear to District councillors their time had been wasted for years regarding a non-viable runway they still bought the snake oil and closed the far superior existing runway.
Just like it’s likely everyone’s time has been wasted and Muskoka ends up with a single hospital and South Muskoka gets nothing.