The proposed “Made-in-Muskoka healthcare system” could be set to change.
In a media release late Monday night, officials with Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) suggested the number of beds at the future South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge might be increased.
The current proposal from MAHC outlines 139 inpatient care beds at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital and 18 at the Bracebridge site.
Currently, there are 56 and 67 inpatient care beds at the respective hospitals.
“We are listening,” said Cheryl Harrison, president and chief executive officer of MAHC. “Our desire is to work with our community and our internal partners to build the best possible health system. Our model will still be an integrated system that is patient-centred, innovative, and sustainable with operational efficiency and minimal duplication of services. Importantly, we need to make adjustments to address the concerns we have heard.”
Officials with MAHC say a “physician engagement session” is scheduled for Wednesday night with the Credentialed Staff Association and the possibility of increasing beds will be discussed. More details about possible changes to MAHC’s plan will be released after the meeting.
They add continued engagement is helping them as they fine-tune their proposal.
A group of South Muskoka physicians along with the Cottage Country Family Health Team in Gravenhurst submitted the “Care Close to Home” proposal in late Feb. and proposed that 90 inpatient beds be placed at the hospital site in Bracebridge and 50 at the site in Huntsville.
“This week we will be reviewing these ideas with the physicians and our data experts,” said Harrison. “Our goal is to come out of that meeting with more alignment on the model we are putting forward, and a greater appreciation for how narrow our options are when it comes to costing. I know we all want what’s best for all our communities, and I’m optimistic we will make progress.”