Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) future service delivery model is the result of expert planning and comprehensive evaluation backed by numerous studies and the direct involvement of the very people who provide this care today. In the future, MAHC will continue providing acute care services across two sites, supported by core diagnostics and support services at each site. Our vision is to continue to provide a range of acute care programs and services, including emergency, inpatient and surgical services; our proposal includes 61 more inpatient beds including a new stroke rehabilitation unit, and the addition of MRI technology. Specialty surgeries and programs like Chemotherapy and Complex Continuing Care that are currently provided at one or the other of our sites will continue to be provided at one site only to service the entire region and MAHC catchment. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has only validated the Ministry of Health’s direction to shift services from hospital to community, adn as such there are a number of services and programs identified that with proper design and delivery can be safely provided in the community, such as prenatal care, pacemaker clinic, and diabetes education.
MAHC is proud that our two-site approach supports patient- and family-centred care, provides the best access to care for our communities, and ensures the viability of the acute-care system for Muskoka and its surrounding areas. We believe this model best positions the organization to meet the community’s needs today, into the future, and is broadly supported by the communities we serve. This plan will continue to be evaluated and refreshed at each stage of planning to ensure it continues to reflect evolving technology, best practice, system integration and community needs. This includes flexibility across the two sites to ensure program and service delivery is sustainable and nimble in order to be able to respond to future needs or events that may arise.
Approach for the Physical Structures
Arriving at the best solution for the physical buildings and structures for each site included studying the existing hospital properties to investigate ideal development locations, examining site plans of where and how future buildings could take shape on the properties, and understanding at a high level the potential order of magnitude of the costs. MAHC envisions the following approaches:
South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Site
Due to size limitations and redevelopment challenges of the existing Ann Street property, we propose to build a new hospital at a new location in Bracebridge with access to Highway 11 and municipal services like water, sewer, and electricity. Factors including zoning and environmental regulations, access to public transportation, and travel distances to other health service providers will be considered during site selection.
Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Site
The existing Frank Miller Drive property does not appear to pose any development limitations and we propose to replace the existing building with a new hospital on the same property. Following construction, the existing building would be completely removed and parking would be built where the building was.
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