After 10 months of turmoil, Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney says it’s time to review Muskoka Algonquin HealthCare (MAHC)’s governance board.
“The process has been nothing but divisive, nothing but strained. It’s positioned our doctors to take sides. It’s polarized our communities,” said Rick Maloney during this week’s Town council meeting. “Quite frankly I don’t think any community should have to endure the discourse we have over the past 10 months.”
On Nov. 13, Bracebridge council formally confirmed their commitment of $10 million as of July 1, 2037, consisting in combined value of funds, land or in-kind goods or services towards the local share cost of developing two new hospitals in Muskoka. However, council also stipulated that if there were any major changes to the plan, the Town reserves the right to re-evaluate its contribution.
During the meeting, Maloney said he would be actively advocating for a review of hospital board governance.
“In my opinion, many of the challenges we experienced over the past year were because we didn’t have that community connection,” he said.
Maloney also thanked local doctors for the active role they’ve taken on throughout the process.
On Monday MAHC announced the submission of its Stage 1.3 Proposal to the Ontario Ministry of Health for the redevelopment of its hospital facilities in Huntsville and Bracebridge.
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