Author: savesouthmuskokahospital

On behalf of the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC), I would like to express our deep
disappointment regarding the late cancellation of our planned meeting with your office which we had
confirmed for Tuesday, April 15, 2025. As you are aware, SSMHC was promised this meeting in
February. SSMHC has been looking forward to engaging in a productive and collaborative conversation
about the future of the South Muskoka Hospital and the vital role that the planned hospital redevelopment
will have in ensuring the continued delivery of quality healthcare to our community.

The Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) is very concerned about the recent decision by the MAHC Board to close the Obstetrics (OB) unit at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.

Public Forum – Download or Watch SSMHC Slide Show

Read it online or find it out the community NOW!

I write to you as the Chair of the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) and on behalf of
this healthcare advocacy group with over 200 active members in Muskoka. Specifically, the SSMHC is
requesting a meeting with the Minister of Health to advise on significant changes to the hospital
redevelopment plan submitted by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) to the Ministry. We
have grave concerns about the process that MAHC has advanced. Taxpayers in Ontario and Muskoka
should not be burdened with an expensive hospital redevelopment (estimated >$1.3 Billion) that does
not address healthcare for the identified population and demographics of South Muskoka.

Happy New Year!  With this New Year upon us, I am writing to introduce myself as the recently-appointed Chair for the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC).  This time of year also allows us to highlight our accomplishments through 2024 and to identify priorities for the next 12 months.

As Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) prepares to submit its final stage 1.3 proposal to the province in the
coming days, the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) and the South Muskoka community are, on
the whole, remaining optimistic. As the planning process now moves to the province, we look forward to
advocating for further adjustments as is needed to bring home an equitable hospital model to Muskoka that
truly represents what is needed to address community healthcare needs, including care close to home in South
Muskoka.

The Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) is writing to clarify its position. This position update is warranted given the sudden events that transpired last week with the announcement of 10 additional beds at the future South Muskoka site. While the SSMHC is encouraged by and supportive of
the increase in beds, there remain ongoing, urgent and significant issues concerning the hospital redevelopment plans.