A committee of experts is starting up the one or two hospital conversation once again.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has picked its 25 members for the Capital Plan Development Taskforce. The task force will meet every two weeks to discuss whether MAHC should renovate the two aging hospitals or build a new one in Muskoka. Committee Chair Cameron Renwick says MAHC has put together a diverse group of experts.
He says there are also MAHC board members and executives on the task force as well. The District of Muskoka will have a representative on the task force, but that person will be picked by district council on Monday night. MAHC was recently given $1 million from the province to take on this planning project. Cameron says the task force will put together a proposal for the MAHC board using information like previous health service studies, population, and demographics, which should be ready by March. He says the board will then use this information to decide how to move forward. In 2015, MAHC board members decided one hospital would provide better healthcare services, but many Muskokans and local officials have disagreed with that plan.
Previous stories:
MAHC officials are preparing a task force to plan the future of healthcare in Muskoka
Bracebridge and Huntsville Council Approve Proposed Two-Site Hospital Plan