HOSPITAL TALKS CONTINUE WITH COMMUNITIES, DOCTORS AND UNIONS — BUT MAHC SAYS NO FINAL DECISION ON FATE ANY TIME SOON
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — No final decision on the fate of Muskoka’s hospitals is forthcoming.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare said today that talks continue widely and that its board of directors will not be approving a recommendation on a future model of care at its next scheduled meeting in March.
This follows meetings this week doctors and nurses.
MAHC says it’s sharing its latest update on the “commitment to take the time needed to reconsider the hospital redevelopment proposal” presented during a series of community meetings in January and February.
“Thank you to everyone who has participated in the dialogue, asked questions and provided suggestions.”
This comes following meetings this week with hospital nurses at South Muskoka Memorial and Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, along with plans to meet with labour unions next month.
They say the board of directors has “not approved” a future model of care and that board direction to date has been to engage with stakeholders including staff, physicians and volunteers, patients and families, and the broader community to hear their views.
“We want our communities to be clear that no decisions are being made for quite some time. Our primary focus is continued consultation to reach the best possible model of care for the future. We are committed to our promise to take all the time that is needed to meet with our stakeholders, to listen to feedback, and make adjustments.”
MAHC says it was “invited” Tuesday to attend a meeting of physicians and midwives that was organized by the Credentialed Staff Association to continue discussions about the proposed model. We listened to their discussion on strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the redevelopment proposal.
Also Feb. 20, a group of 48 South Muskoka physicians publicly released the “Care Close to Home” proposal.
The senior leadership team and project team received the proposal and say they appreciate the time and effort invested.
Also this week, MAHC met with nurses nursing staff who signed up to participate in roundtable consultation on the model. During the meeting, nurses openly expressed their concerns, asked their questions, and discussed ideas with the senior leadership team and project team.
We explained that we are also open to continue meeting with other nursing staff who want to participate in future discussions.
“We are committed to continuing to work with all credentialed staff on ideas and solutions for a two-sited hospital model that will serve all Muskoka and area communities in the future,” Friday’s MAHC release re-iterated.
In the coming weeks, a further meeting is being organized to continue discussions with physicians and midwives.
Discussions with the leadership of the four bargaining units/unions has been organized for March and preliminary planning is underway to meet with area mayors and district chair Jeff Leman to discuss their concerns.
“Our goal is to develop an affordable solution for all communities served by hospitals that ensures enhanced quality care that our hospitals can sustain. Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is confident that by working together there will be a way forward to building the future healthcare system for Muskoka and area.”
MAHC says more weekly updates are planned.
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