The chair of the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) board says a motion passed last night was not an effort to covertly approve their model for healthcare in Muskoka.
“We plan to submit the plan to the province in November, not tomorrow,” said Board Chair Dave Uffelmann today. “This is by no means closing off the conversation or the discussion. This was simply a move to get the consultants working on fleshing out the package.”
During last night’s board of directors meeting, the board voted unanimously to request their consultants proceed with detailed planning for the redevelopment of the hospital sites in Bracebridge and Huntsville.
Prior to the meeting, Parry Sound Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith and Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney were vocally opposed to the passing of the motion.
“To pass a resolution that gives direction to their consultants to start the ‘detailed planning and documentation for a Stage 1.3 submission’ is in fact giving their consultants the marching orders to design a model that MAHC can approve,” said Maloney. “That is a clear message that MAHC has not been listening to the repeated concerns they have heard from south Muskoka stakeholders.”
Uffelmann said he spoke with both Maloney and Smith before the meeting.
“I was surprised at how vehement the reaction was. It may have been read differently than it was intended,” said Ufflemann regarding opposition to the motion. “I think some of that was a reaction to the sentiment from the broader community…but with the MPP and the Mayor of Bracebridge we all have the same objective of the highest quality of care while meeting our capital budget.”
Last night’s decision directs the hospital planning team to refine and elaborate on the redevelopment plan, ensuring it comprehensively meets community healthcare needs, says Ufflemann. It ensures that the hospital can adhere to timelines and secure its place in the provincial hospital redevelopment queue.
“We want to get the complete package to the board by October. Originally we had wanted that done by now…we need to get back in gear,” he said
Ufflemann says the model includes significant flexibility to cater to demographic changes.
“The solution must be data-based,” he said. “The key is to advance the model while still building in that flexibility. I think there’s general acceptance of the broad principles, the debate is around the numbers.”
Also approved was the direction to continue collaborating with consultants and stakeholders to address flexible space, future capacity planning, and key project success factors identified in the board package report, says Uffleman.
The success of the plan is contingent on securing the $225 million local share for the project. Uffleman says despite the opposition to last night’s decision he’s confident the community will still rally to support the project financially and south Muskoka councillors will continue to support the project financially
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Norm Raynor says
Mr Uffelman, why would anyone in South Muskoka support MAHC in any way when MAHC won’t listen to them? MAHC says the decisions they are making are scientifically based. The original plan was to have everyone having a baby go to Huntsville. Explain the science in that to the expectant mother in Kilworthy, or Bala.
peggy tupper says
The board and Cheryl Harrison are delusional. They are in complete denial of the opposition to their plan. The board and Ms Harrison need to be replaced.
They huff and they puff but they do not LISTEN!
Dana Viking says
Not a done deal is correct. The community does not accept this ‘deal’ and won’t fund the astronomical $225 million ‘local share’. In the meantime MPP Graydon Smith should ask the ministry of Health for proper funding for two local hospitals.
Incidentally, the $225 million ‘local share’ from local taxpayers is the same amount the Ford government is giving the Beer Store (owned by the big brewers) to get beer sales in convenience stores a year earlier. Odd priorities by our governments.
Cathey Goodwin says
It is extremely difficult to imagine right after our doctors expressed their opposition to the plan as is, right after our mayor and MPP requested that the motion be withdrawn and the board slow down, and in spite of the obvious lack of community support, that passing the motion last night is anything but a done deal and an effort to covertly approve MAHC’s model for healthcare in Muskoka.