The mayors of Bracebridge and Gravenhurst both appear to be in favour of recent changes to the plans for a new hospital in Bracebridge.
Yesterday the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) capital redevelopment steering committee said they will recommend adding 10 new beds to the Bracebridge site, increasing the total to 46.
In response, Mayors Rick Maloney of Bracebridge and Heidi Lorenz issued statements of support for the potential changes.
Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney issued the following statement:
Today, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s Capital Redevelopment Committee announced plans to present a recommendation to the Board of Directors on October 10, which includes the addition of 10 incremental net new beds to the Bracebridge site.
This is encouraging news and a direct result of several months of collaborative efforts by the Town, local doctors, and members of the community. I wish to acknowledge the leadership of MPP Graydon Smith. His ongoing effort has been instrumental in protecting the future of healthcare in our community.
I am also pleased to learn today that our doctors, who have strongly advocated for more acute care beds, believe that a 46-bed model can adequately serve the acute care needs of South Muskoka.
The Town of Bracebridge is committed to supporting the health and wellness of our community and will strongly advocate for opportunities that keep care in our community. I will continue to support the efforts of the District of Muskoka to address the challenges of patients requiring alternative levels of care (ALC), and I am confident that with focused and collaborative efforts, we can work towards solutions that allow patients to be closer to the care and support they require.
I am hopeful the Board will endorse this recommendation at their meeting this Thursday.
Mayor Heidi Lorenz issued the following statement today:
The update from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare earlier today regarding new hospitals for the area is a positive sign that things are going in the right direction.
Since the outset we have placed our trust in the process and so it is reaffirming to see that MAHC’s capital redevelopment steering committee is responding to feedback from various individuals and organizations.
I was delighted to see the committee is recommending to the MAHC board of directors the addition of 10 new beds to the Bracebridge site, increasing the total to 46.
Clearly, consultation has been key to ensuring a plan for the best new hospitals possible.
I commend everyone who has provided input to MAHC, in particular our local doctors. Your participation in the process is a testament to your commitment to our community.
Gravenhurst is pleased to support a plan that our local medical professionals can get behind. It was great to see that 45 physicians have signed a letter of support for the proposal to add 10 beds at the Bracebridge site. The MAHC board will consider the recommendation on Thursday, Oct. 10.
I want to thank MAHC officials for their unwavering dedication to the delivery of health care in Muskoka. We are fortunate to have a team of highly skilled professionals working on our behalf.
As well, I want to recognize our MPP, Graydon Smith, for his advocacy on this file.
The Town of Gravenhurst looks forward to supporting Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare as the organization moves forward with its plans to build new hospitals.
It is certainly an exciting time for health care in Muskoka.
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A hospital is exactly about beds! Day surgeries can be performed in clinics. The big loss for the people of South Muskoka is that after six days in Bracebridge the patient will be transferred to Huntsville where there will be beds, lots of beds. So yes a hospital is about beds. I would rather spend my recovery time in Bracebridge because I live in Bracebridge. I have no problem going to Huntsville to have day surgery, because I am in and out.
It’s interesting how the armchair QBs on this site know more about hospital planning than the experts and the 45 south muskoka doctors who have endorsed the plan.
It’s not about beds! Holy moly people. Figure it out. BB is getting a hospital that’s 40% larger. 7 ORs which is up from 2. Every type of day surgery. The busier site.
This is a huge win for our town.
It’s really rich that the Mayor of Gravenhurst gives MAHC credit for increasing the bed size. She is out of touch if she thinks the good citizens aren’t responsible for this change. If not for us, we’d have a 14 bed transfer facility, no OB and no ICU.
Mayor Heidi is out of touch. She truly didn’t understand the issue as she thought Gravenhurst residents would simply travel south to Orillia Soldiers. She didn’t care that they were losing their healthcare facility or were at risk of losing family practice physicians.
When there’s an election, we’ll have memory of what it took to Save South Muskoka Hospital. Hopefully, when the MInistry reviews the plan, they’ll either add more beds or locate the mega site in South Muskoka as this is where the greater population of Muskoka resides.
I am disgusted by this apparent concession, with respect to the original proposal. This is supposed to be a win, seriously? I challenge MAHC, the Mayors, and Graydon Smith to attend a 12hr shift in our hospital! Wait hours just to be triaged. I saw a woman spend several hours on a gurney in Emerg, due to lack of a bed. My heart goes out to the incredible paramedics and hospital staff, that have to make do with the limited resources available.
Due to a medical emergency, my husband was transported to our Bracebridge Hospital, by ambulance this past week. The paramedics, and hospital staff were incredibly compassionate and attentive; and we are very grateful for the care received.
Our population is increasing, and many are aging. Our residents deserve better, and we should not have to beg for it, or settle for less.
Do better!
Our politicians fail math. The proposal is still SMALLER than our current hospital. Why spend millions and millions of tax dollars for something smaller than what we have. Size matters.
Bracebridge and Gravenhurst have been betrayed and conned by a token 10 beds. Cheryl Harrison works for Huntsville. Bracebridge should leave the MAHC and manage our own hospital. No “transportation” to Huntsville required. I am disgusted.
This is still a CUT in the total number of existing hospital beds. Unacceptable when population increasing dramatically in Muskoka.
Now we have two mayors, Maloney and Lorenz supporting and thanking our MPP Smith for this defective proposal. Why? Appears a provincial election must be close. Seems this was all a pre planned backroom deal. No wonder people are fed up with politicians. I pity our young people who will pay the price for a third rate proposal.