Over the last ten days or so, there has been a flood of media activity related to the hospital situation in Muskoka. Some of it is reasonable, helpful, and encouraging, and some of it is not.
One of the more reasonable statements that has been written recently is by Rod Ward, the Mayor of Armour Township at the far northern end of the Muskoka-East Parry Sound hospital catchment area. Under the present plan from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC), people in that area would have at least a 45-minute drive for day surgery and many diagnostic services. But they are not complaining.
You can read his entire article HERE, but I want to highlight some of what Mayor Ward said. Regarding the current state of hospital discussions, he said, “Quite frankly, the negativity and, in many cases, lack of proper context are both troubling.”
Mayor Ward also says, “There is so much incredible, positive work going on in the healthcare arenas and in our communities that relies on the coordination and collaboration of countless stakeholders. This work falls apart with partisan battles, community borders and, dare I say, politics. We’re moving forward in the Almaguin Highlands and we support the hospital redevelopment as part of this move forward in healthcare. The model is imperfect and will continue to require adjustment… but the opportunity in front of us is the key thing”
I agree with that point of view, and I believe we should all try to learn from it.
As our MPP Graydon Smith pointed out in one of his most recent statements, we in Muskoka and Almaguin are in an enviable and unique position. We have a firm financial commitment from the current provincial government that is larger on a per capita basis than anywhere else in Ontario. We really do not want to blow that commitment due to the communities in Muskoka and East Parry Sound’s inability to find hospital solutions that we can all accept.
One of the problems is that many people are still focusing on what they believe was a commitment for two acute care hospitals in Muskoka of equal stature, both providing the same services for their catchment areas. Whether that was actually what was promised or not, or whether it was just what we all wanted to believe, is now academic because as the economy has tightened, so have available funds for healthcare. The reality now is that while the principles of acute care and equality between hospital sites in Muskoka remain, both providing the same services within 20 miles of each other is simply not viable and is not going to happen. If blaming someone for that is helpful, so be it, but it is not going to change anything. It is time to move forward.
Instead, we have this tremendous opportunity to create state-of-the-art hospital facilities on two hospital campuses in Muskoka, providing enviable hospital services equal to those of communities with many times the population of Muskoka and East Parry Sound, even when including seasonal residents.
But first, we have to get beyond the partisan battles, bickering, and misinformation that often accompany them. These are occurring both in Bracebridge and in Huntsville.
Numerous online statements have stated that the proposed plan for Huntsville will not be an acute care site and that all surgery will be performed in Bracebridge. This is not correct. Under the plan, day surgery will take place in Bracebridge, and more extensive surgery requiring hospital care exceeding three days will take place in Huntsville.
There has also been criticism of Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock for being at the table to ensure superior hospital care for the entire catchment area and not just advocating for Huntsville. But that is exactly where she should be so that a plan can emerge that will be seen to be fair to all communities, including those from Algonquin Park, much of the Township of Lake of Bays, Huntsville, and East Pary Sound, all of whom are part of the Huntsville hospital site catchment area.
Because of the misinformation and opposition coming from both Huntsville and Bracebridge, Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith authored an extensive statement that was posted on Friday.
Here is one of the things he said: “It bears repeating here, clearly and as definitely as possible: the residents of Muskoka and Almaguin will be getting two new, acute care hospital sites. The funding for these projects is not going anywhere. Our government is committed to making this redevelopment project a reality.”
He also says, “I know that this plan has its supporters and detractors. The former want me to issue a declarative statement of support and say, “get on with it.” The latter would prefer that I denounce the plan and call for it to be scrapped. Unfortunately, the division between these two positions presently lies geographically between north and south. I do not, however, believe either of these positions is helpful in arriving at a solution that works for everyone.”
There is no question that Graydon Smith and a number of municipal leaders have been working behind the scenes to find overall acceptance of an effective hospital plan. That is why one other statement in Smith’s article is really important: “I believe finding a solution is closer than many may think. I also believe it need not take too much time.”
If you have not had the opportunity to read Graydon Smith’s latest statement, it is well worth the read. You can read it HERE.
In my view, the MAHC plan needs some adjustments, especially to address the concern for additional beds in Bracebridge. But otherwise, I do believe both hospital sites have been treated fairly. Bracebridge will have a full emergency department and some ICU beds and will be primarily responsible for all outpatient care. Huntsville will deal with more specialized issues and diagnostic procedures, many of which will require more in-patient care and, thus, longer hospital stays. They will also have full emergency services.
I know there is some concern in South Muskoka that with more beds, Huntsville could one day become the only hospital site in Muskoka. With all of the money being thrown at the principal of two acute care hospital sites in Muskoka, I do not think that will ever happen. More importantly, the trend for hospital care is moving more toward what can be accomplished on an outpatient basis with less emphasis on beds. From that perspective, Bracebridge is well-positioned in the current plan.
I should also add that making MAHC the bogyman is not helpful. Certainly, the road has not been smooth and, in some cases, not well thought out. Gaslighting the sitting member of the legislature by bringing forward a motion to approve their plan without first briefing him is a rookie mistake that clearly put Graydon Smith between a rock and a hard place.
But we should remember, too, that this is not Toronto talking. MAHC Board members are our neighbours who serve without compensation and with a genuine desire to provide first-class hospital care to every community in their catchment area. We can disagree with them and negotiate with them, but we should not degrade them. They are not the enemy.
And so, my plea here is: Let’s all take a deep breath. Graydon Smith has committed to continuing his work with MAHC and municipal leaders to achieve a solution that is fair to all communities. He believes an acceptable solution is near at hand. Let’s give him a chance to bring that to a conclusion.
It no longer requires threatening demonstrations or negative rhetoric. It requires leadership and a joint determination to find an acceptable solution to a complicated issue.
There is work to do to get the South Muskoka community onside. It should not be done at the expense of other communities, but where accommodation can be made to address their concerns, it should be considered.
Let’s put aside the parochialism, antagonisms, demonstrations, unhelpful rhetoric, and misinformation and concentrate on getting this deal done.
Otherwise, we will all lose out.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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The board might be our neighbours and work without compensation but the the CEO. specifically Cheryl Harrison takes home a whopping 262K. That is a lot of money. A lot. A huge amount. She is the one who came up with the lopsided plan because she lives in Huntsville. The time has long since passed where she should take a walk in the snow. It is time for new leadership. I strongly urge someone from Bracebridge be hired for the job.