MAHC TOUTS 200+ MORE UNION HOSPITAL JOBS FOR BRACEBRIDGE, HUNTSVILLE; MORE DETAILS NEXT WEEK

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — Those needing any more excuses for the fight of their lives need only add 200+ to the count.

That’s the number of frontline staff MAHC expects to add when Muskoka’s new hospitals open.

“Predominantly unionized positions,” they say.

That’s critical for municipal development in Huntsville, Bracebridge — and emerging surrounding bedroom communities.

Notably so with spin-off economic benefits from often six-figure salary positions with overtime.

In this week’s update #5, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare says today that it is “excited to share how the great provincial and local investment in healthcare including new hospital builds will significantly enhance the quality of work life for all team members.”

In addition, MAHC adds: “Following our fruitful physician engagement sessions, we are going to be communicating material changes to the model early next week that addresses concerns we heard. We will then continue further engaging our physician colleagues.”

Save South Muskoka Hospital group members are inscensed about a provincial website ad touting Ontario’s hospital redevelopment plans in Muskoka. One SSMH supporter on their website calls it political. “My take on this is it’s PR work to make those of us in south Muskoka think that we are being heard. That way we will stop pushing the officials to look long and hard at what we really need snd deserve,” writes Cindy Brazier.

They also offered, Friday, these key highlights “the community may not know about.”

Increased Point of Service Staffing:

Redevelopment plans anticipate adding “at least 200 frontline team members across both sites, predominantly unionized positions, reflecting our commitment to robust patient care and staff support.”

Growth Areas:

For the new builds, they predict substantial growth in specialty areas, including emergency services, critical care, and ambulatory surgery, necessitating an increase in specialized healthcare professionals to meet our community’s needs.

Specialization Opportunities:

Their new approach encourages specialization, allowing nurses and other team members to focus on areas they are passionate about, such as specialized geriatrics care, rehabilitation, and stroke care, which they claim will enhance job satisfaction and career fulfilment.

Advanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Level 3:

The inclusion of a Level 3 ICU (in Huntsville) presents opportunities for professional growth and development as staff engage with more complex care requirements. It will enable staff to work at the top of their professional scopes of training.

Pride in the Workplace:

Drawing from experiences across the province, they say they anticipate a significant boost in workplace pride following the opening of our modern and bright facilities, designed with quality of care and staff preferences in mind.

Addressing Nursing Vacancies: With over 50 nursing positions currently open, our new model not only aims to fill these gaps but to attract additional nursing talent to our community, strengthening our healthcare delivery.

Recruitment: All of these improvements will make our region more attractive to potential recruits to our healthcare teams.

What’s Next?:

Staff Engagement: They’re launching targeted engagement work with our staff to explore how to maximize the new facilities’ potential as the best places to work.

Continuous Improvement:

Following our fruitful physician engagement sessions, we are going to be communicating material changes to the model early next week that addresses concerns we heard. We will then continue further engaging our physician colleagues.

Internal and external engagement activities will be occurring over the next 3 months.

A Word from MAHC president, CEO:

“As someone who began her career as a nurse and has always been driven by the desire to improve the work life of every team member in the health system, I’m profoundly committed to this journey,” says Cheryl Harrison. “We’re not just building new facilities; we’re crafting environments where our staff can thrive, feel proud, and continue to provide the exceptional care our community deserves. This is an exciting time for MAHC, and I’m eager to see how, together, we can make these new models a beacon of healthcare excellence and workplace satisfaction.”

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