The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst hosted a Town Hall meeting on July 16 at the Opera House to discuss the current healthcare situation and the future Health Hub in South Muskoka.
Bruce Hemphill, Rotarian and Fundraising Liaison Director, said Gravenhurst is at a “tipping point” regarding primary care access.
He said that over 6,000 residents – nearly half of the town’s 2021 population of 13,157 – lack a local primary care provider.
“With a rapidly ageing population, one-third of our residents are over 65. The demand for consistent medical care is higher than ever,” said Hemphill.
He said the Health Hub partnership with the Cottage Country Family Health Team will combat the issue and serve as a foundational element of primary care in Gravenhurst and the surrounding area.
“Our goal is to allow every resident to have a family physician or nurse practitioner supported by a team of other health professionals, specialists, community providers, and diagnostic services,” said Hemphill.
The health hub will be located on the second floor of a two-story building already owned by the Cottage Country Family Health Team.
The second floor features over 12,000 square feet of unfinished space, which he says is perfectly suited for new health programs and services.
“When completed, this health care hub will provide expanded access to a full continuum of health and social services in one convenient multi-service space,” said Hemphill.
The project’s development is divided into three phases:
The first phase is going to secure stakeholder funding, finalize design, secure tenants, tender for construction, complete the second floor infrastructure, launch a fundraising plan and recruit new healthcare providers.
The second phase is going to include leasehold improvements for new programs and services, securing occupancy for new tenants and programs, completing first-floor renovations, and negotiating for diagnostic imaging.
The third phase will include completing the diagnostic suite to enable onsite diagnostic imaging services, securing strategic partnerships with reputable diagnostic providers and recruiting additional healthcare professionals to strengthen the team and improve patient care.
According to Hemphill, phase one will have a total cost of $750,000. Gravenhurst, the District of Muskoka and the province will provide $200,000 each. The Cottage County Family Health Team will contribute $100,000, and the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst will chip in $50,000.
Hemphill said they have successfully held a series of fundraising events over the past two months, bringing the Rotary Club’s current total to over $80,000.
The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
For more information or to make a donation, click here.
CORRECTION: We mistakenly wrote that Bracebridge was among those providing $200,000 towards the Health Hub project. That is incorrect. It is the Town of Gravenhurst that committed to providing the $200,000. Council unanimously approved the pledge at a meeting in May. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
