We’re writing today with disappointing news that we know will be as frustrating for you as it is for all of us on the SSMHC executive committee.  Despite our efforts and sincere request, the Ministry of Health has failed or refused to reschedule a critical meeting with us that we had hoped would provide a platform for our community’s concerns to be heard regarding MAHC’s Stage 1.3 hospital redevelopment plans for South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.  

This decision reflects complete disregard for the voices of South Muskoka — voices that have been clear, united, and deeply invested in ensuring accessible, high-quality health care for our region.   We have raised this concern to the Minister of Health, the Premier and Graydon Smith, MPP, without a response.  We understand the disheartenment this brings, but we also know that this moment only reinforces the importance of our continued advocacy.

The fight to protect and preserve local services at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital is far from over.  We are exploring every avenue available to ensure our community is not sidelined.  We will not be ignored.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment. Together, we remain strong.  

 

Timeline of Events:

- In January 2025, SSMHC writes to the Minister of Health, the Premier and the Ministry of Health requesting a meeting.

- In February, SSMHC is contacted by the Assistant Deputy Minister (Hospitals and Capital) (ADM) of the Ministry of Health and a meeting is promised following the provincial election.

- In March, following the appointment of provincial cabinet, discussions to schedule the meeting take place and April 15, 2025 is the selected date.

- On April 4, 2025, SSMHC is notified that the ADM is too busy to meet and the meeting is cancelled.

- On April 9, 2025, SSMHC writes to request a new meeting time.

Graydon Smith, MPP, the Premier and the Minister of Health are also copied on this letter.

We have not received any reply.

 

SSMHC is encouraging residents to place signs back on lawns or in windows.  Should you have any questions or need a sign, please email ssmh@ssmh.ca.

 

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.

MAHC's decision recklessly endangers the lives of mothers and babies, upsets access for local families and supports during  challenging post-natal care, and undermines the sustainability of our local hospital as an acute care facility. Moreover, MAHC's decision conflicts with its previous commitment to ensure that South Muskoka is served by an OB unit into the future.  MAHC again shows that it has no regard for community feedback, including that from the local doctors and the public that was presented clearly and loudly on this very issue last year.

This drastic change to close the OB unit is yet another indication that the public and local officials must assert accountability over MAHC's decisions.  The SSMHC has no reason to trust that MAHC will reinstate the OB unit in South Muskoka on the proposed timeline and we would encourage our community representatives, elected officials and the public to demand that MAHC apply its "best efforts" for the prompt return of OB services in South Muskoka without delay in recognition of the importance of these vital lifesaving services. 

The SSMHC is encouraged by the recent support by the Town of Gravenhurst Council to support healthcare in South Muskoka.  On May 13, 2025, the Town's Committee of the Whole voted to support the Gravenhurst Health Hub (GHH) proposal and donate up to $200,000 to the cause. 

SSMHC identifies that the GHH is an important component to supporting healthcare delivery in South Muskoka and would, along with an acute care hospital in Bracebridge, especially complement efforts to attract doctors to South Muskoka.   

An equitable acute care hospital in Bracebridge as envisioned in the Care Close to Home V2 model would provide support for specialist doctors and provide for care close to home, attracting primary care doctors to the region. The SSMHC is considering further supportive actions for the GHH initiative.   

 

All of our efforts are volunteer based.  Donations help us to advance our cause and engage with the community.  Spending is overseen by Trustees appointed to our committee.

Since SSMHC's inception in January 2024, this community's donations have allowed us to show strength in our message to MAHC, the Province and others.   

Funds have been used for:

- Lawn and Window Signs
- Radio Advertising on the Moose and Country 102
- Flyer and Poster Printing 
- Insurance
- Highway Sign Advertising
- Social Media
- Event Costs (Rally in Park; Public Forum during Election)
- Website (ssmh.ca)

We need your support to keep our message strong and top of mind. 

Please make a donation to us today by following these instructions.    We estimate that we will need to raise at least $1,500 for volunteer operations though 2025.  Any amount is appreciated.

Donors' names and amounts and will remain confidential.  Thank you!

Follow our social media platforms

Updated regularly!  Click a logo to visit:

If you are part of a group that would like to receive an update from the SSMHC, please let us know!   We want to spread the word about our advocacy efforts throughout the community.

We are currently providing  presentations (10-20 minutes) to update on our understanding the redevelopment process, the changes we'd like to see, and the efforts of our committee. 

Please email ssmh@ssmh.ca to request to connect with one of our Executive Members to discuss setting this up.

The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing MAHC's Stage 1.3 submission.  

As set out in the province's Hospital Capital Planning and Policy Manual, the Ministry may find that there are gaps in the documentation provided, or areas that require further clarification or additional information. Where this occurs, the ministry will inform the hospital that changes to the documentation are required to address either the identified information gaps or current best practice.

SSMHC advocates that a number of serious and alarming gaps exist in the MAHC model submitted to the province:

- Insufficient acute care beds to support the growing population and aging demographics of the community

- Insufficient transportation plan to support locating most beds away from the majority of the population in the regional hospital catchment, including no mitigations for severe winter weather, wealth inequality (i.e. reduced car ownership/taxi accessibility), and poor access to public transportation.

- Insufficient support for sustainable healthcare in South Muskoka, including services to attract and retain doctors over the long-term.

- Inequitable access to healthcare treatment in South Muskoka, requiring excessive patient transfer to beds at other sites (where available), away from family and friends and straining continuity of care for patients with their local doctors.

- Misguided site selection with poor access and poor soil conditions, leading to ongoing strain for future growth of the selected site.

- Strong public opposition to the hospital redevelopment in South Muskoka, including uncertainty on local share funding from the Town of Bracebridge and the Town of Gravenhurst which have both placed conditions subject to review.

SSMHC is calling on the province to strenuously re-evaluate the MAHC plan in accordance with established healthcare planning principles.  As the current MAHC model cannot withstand the reasonable criticisms above,  significant modifications are required before it can be allowed to proceed any further.

Stay Connected

Please Contact Us with your feedback

Visit our website news page - ssmh.ca/news

Connect with us on Facebook!

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Contact us by email:  ssmh@ssmh.ca

We welcome feedback, suggestions, comments, questions and encouragement!