‘SAVE SOUTH MUSKOKA HOSPITAL’ ADVOCATES TAKE MESSAGES OF CONCERN TO COTTAGERS SHOW
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — What’s best for Muskoka and/or its two hospital host communities?
That’s a new strategy opponents of MAHC’s redevelopment plan are pondering as they’ve formalized efforts to fight for two independent hospitals.
Call it divide and conquer.
That’s all in their latest update Monday.
Over the weekend they had representation of at the Spring Cottage Show in Toronto, where they brought information and solicited support for their cause from Muskoka seasonal residents.
They had cards and signs explaining what is happening up north.
“We will continue by sending them emails and literature,” says member Cindy Waters, who produced their fourth weekly update.
She says there is a “Hospital Designation Change Form,” which can be sent to the Ministry of Health to “ask them to split our hospitals, due to the inability of them to function well together. We will ask for that action as needed.
“Ultimately we believe that is best for our communities.”
But, she writes, “we will need your help to get it done. We would need another board of directors for South Muskoka and we need the ministry to help us get it done.”
She promises more to come on that as they progress.
Meanwhile, she says “there is continued action for our cause and we are working to formalize our group.
“We will be known as “SSMH” — Save South Muskoka Hospital — with a website ssmh.ca.”
Says Waters: “We are in this for the long haul, because MAHC doesn’t seem to hear our communities who have built fully functioning hospitals for their residents and need to continue with two fully functioning hospitals that allow our inpatients to be cared for by their doctors in their communities going forward.
“So we need to continue our efforts and plan for the coming months so we have their full attention.”
“Bigger isn’t always better,” the newsletter says.
“In fact when it comes to public institutions like schools and hospitals, we often see quite the opposite.”
SSMH adds that for those who’ve offered financial support, SSMH will be fundraising to help communicate their next steps. As of now they are still working to set that up.
In a related release last week by chair Bruce Kruger, of Bracebridge, he formally said as much as Waters about the establishment of the SSMH committee.
“In response to the evolving proposals from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC), the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMH) has emerged as a collective voice advocating for the preservation of two equal acute care hospitals within the Muskoka and Algonquin catchment area.
“The proposed changes by MAHC have sparked public concern, particularly within the South Muskoka region, prompting the formation of SSMH.”
His release says SSMH “aligns itself with the concerns voiced by our dedicated doctors and community members, rejecting the proposed alterations to the healthcare landscape.
“Our committee firmly endorses the latest model presented by our physicians, entitled ‘Care Close to Home Proposal,’ emphasizing the importance of maintaining two acute care hospitals to adequately serve the needs of our population.”
It says that “with a groundswell of support,” SSMH has mobilized efforts to challenge MAHC’s proposals. Thousands of signatures opposing the new model will be presented to the Ontario Legislature. (Contact Dan Waters 705-205-3799).
SSMH says sub-committees have been established to address various aspects of our campaign, including petitions, public information dissemination, land site exploration, fundraising initiatives, website development, and research endeavours.
“We welcome individuals with specialized skills in these areas to join our cause.”
The steering committee is made up of Kruger as chair; Nadia Chamberlain vice-chair; Jason Cole vice-Chair and trustee/treasurer; Peter Cross vice-chair; Tony Vanderstelt vice-chair and Karen Macdonald secretary.
In addition, SSMH says it has engaged in “constructive dialogue” with MAHC representatives, urging transparency and accountability in their decision-making processes.
“We have requested clear timelines for their next steps and called for the release of all pertinent financial documents and reports pertaining to the proposed hospital restructuring, including the criteria utilized for land site selection and design.”
Kruger says SSMH is “committed to fostering collaborative efforts with MAHC, concerned citizens, and in particular, our healthcare professionals, as we navigate this critical juncture.”
“SSMH echoes the sentiment of our community: MAHC must uphold its promise of maintaining two acute care hospitals. Together, we will ensure that this commitment is honoured.”
For more information contact them directly at their new email: ssmh@ssmh.ca
Or visit their website at ssmh.ca.
“Together, let us safeguard the future of healthcare in Muskoka. Ask MAHC to ‘Keep the Promise,’ Kruger concludes.
He can also be contacted at 705-706-2834.
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