Hundreds of people rallied in Bracebridge and Huntsville on Saturday, over funding changes for acute care services at two area hospitals.
Healthcare officials, MPP Norm Miller, and the Mayors of Bracebridge, Huntsville and Gravenhurst are rallying at the Bracebridge Sportsplex. Roughly 300 people were on hand, some holding signs that read “Hands Up For Our Hospitals.”
The group is rallying against funding changes at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare – changes that could affect some acute care services at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and Huntsville District Memorial Hospital.
MAHC, the operator of both sites, is in the process of examining four models, which could involve the removal of acute care services.
Option one involves the construction of a new acute care facility at a single site. The existing two hospitals would then be considered surplus.
Option two would see HDMH become the site for ambulatory care and SMMH acute care, while option three would see the opposite. HDMH would take on acute care and SMMH ambulatory.
The last option would see the continuation of the status quo. Two acute care sites maintained through renovations of old buildings and the construction of new ones. These options are part of a 50-year plan to meet requirements laid out by Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
A petition is expected to be delivered to the MAHC board and members of the provincial government in the hope of preventing any future cuts.
MAHC board of directors are expected to make a decision on a model by May.
