The Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) expresses profound disappointment following the recent meeting between the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) Board and our local physicians that took place on May 8, 2024.
The SSMHC, alongside concerned citizens and health care professionals, has been tirelessly advocating for the preservation of healthcare services at South Muskoka Hospital following the drastic change in the redevelopment model that was announced earlier this year. However, despite ongoing efforts to engage in constructive dialogue with the MAHC Board, the outcome of the May 8th meeting has left the committee deeply disheartened.
Throughout this process, the SSMHC has emphasized the importance of collaboration and transparency in decision-making regarding the future of healthcare in our community – a hallmark MAHC claimed as part of their process. Regrettably, the MAHC Board’s lack of meaningful engagement with the physicians and refusal to share much of the information (including financial) related to their model, has resulted in an outcome that falls drastically short of addressing the future needs of the South Muskoka community.
Dr. Gupta, on behalf of the physicians of South Muskoka, has highlighted key points in his recent letter regarding the meeting with MAHC. He expressed significant concerns regarding the proposed model for the future South Muskoka site, including a 40% reduction in acute care beds despite a growing and aging population. He further emphasized risks associated with interhospital transfers, deterioration of primary care services, challenges in future physician recruitment, and long-term sustainability issues.
The SSMHC stands in solidarity with the concerns raised by Dr. Gupta and the physicians of South Muskoka. The committee echoes their call for more acute care beds to ensure the ongoing sustainability of our hospital and guarantee that patients in Muskoka will always receive ‘Care Close to Home’.
As next steps, our committee is actively working on a delegation to the District of Muskoka. Furthermore, we are exploring avenues targeting local shares, legal action, and are in the process of organizing a protest to amplify our message.
To get involved, here’s how you can help:
- Sign our current petition targeting the $77M local share, details can be found at https://ssmh.ca/petitions/
- Contact our local and Provincial politicians, and the MAHC board indicating your concerns and calling for them to keep the promise of 2 equal acute care hospitals in both Huntsville and Bracebridge. A list of contacts can be found here: https://ssmh.ca/government-and-mahc-contacts/
- Reach out on our contact page to acquire a lawn sign as a visible show of support: https://ssmh.ca/contact/
- Donate to our committee as we begin exploring our legal avenues: https://ssmh.ca/donations/
Follow Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee at: ssmh.ca or email: [email protected]
Nadia Chamberlain, Vice-Chair
Save South Muskoka Hospital
A Registered Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporation