TIME TO GO OVER MAHC BOARD’S HEADS, DIRECTLY TO HEALTH MINISTER AND/OR PREMIER, SAYS A LEAD DOCTOR IN FIGHT FOR SMMH

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — The middle ground between MAHC and south Muskoka doctors remains an unrelenting battle ground.

After another attempt at a resolution last week, presented by some mayors, the impasse remains.

Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney, who hosted the meeting, couldn’t bridge the growing gulf.

Dr. Rohit Gupta, who was only there the first hour before going back to “operate on somebody,” said “it was an effort by the mayor to mediate. But what happened in the meeting, exactly, afterwards I’m not sure.

“But my understanding was they were trying to have some sort of talk between the board and the physicians to see each other’s point of view,” he said following Sunday’s largely successful rally in support of south Muskoka doctors.

Dr. Rohit Gupta, here yesterday, says he still can’t see any common ground emerging for a settlement in the disagreement between south Muskoka physicians and Muskoka Algonquin Health care. He says it’s time for Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones and/or Premier Doug Ford to resolve the impasse. The surgeon says local resolve isn’t working despite the latest attempt by three Muskoka municipal mayor and the district chair to intervene.

“I think the board was trying to suggest the model was fine — that the physicians have a lot of complaints about the model.

“And (the doctors) did present quite a lot of data, saying that whatever was being projected was not correct. The data they are presenting is not in reality truth.”

Post that meeting Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare did release a statement calling it “collaborative.”

Gupta said “I think there was a lot of objections by the physicians about the data and the proposal by the hospital.”

He said 36 beds for south Muskoka “is not enough for us.”

So was there anything new in the meeting?

“There was nothing new as far as I could tell. But then I left after one hour.”

Asked if he thought politicians — including the mayors of Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes and the district chair who were at the meeting — held any sway over the MAHC board, Gupta said: “I hope so. They are our elected representatives. They are supposed to represent us. The voice in south Muskoka is pretty clear that we are not happy with this plan. So I am hoping our politicians and leaders will hear us. And convey our concerns to the board.”

Protecting their Care Closer to Home was the theme of Sunday’s rally and one that Gupta still maintains is the best plan for Muskoka despite all the talk he’s heard.

Could doctors withdraw some services?

Is there a point where doctors could withdraw certain services if it was that serious to them? Is it that far yet?

“We are in the health care business. We want to give our services as fast as we can. Withdrawing services is not what we believe in,” replied Gupta.

“I think we need more services. Withdrawing services would be disastrous for the community.”

He said doctors are no further ahead after the meeting.

“Not as far as I can see.”

Is it now likely MAHC’s board will sit down with physicians a fourth time?

“I hope so, but I don’t think they have any plans. They’re not very flexible.”
When asked at what point south Muskoka physicians would turn to the Ontario Medical Association for financial support to hire resources for their fight, he said: “We’re almost there. We have been thinking about it. I think that will be our next step to go to OMA and other organizations to see what we can. We wanted to sort it our locally.”

Despite all the debate within the district about resolving the issue, Gupta says “I think the buck stops there,” at Queen’s Park. “They hold the strings,” he said referring to the province and specifically Health Minister Sylvia Jones, who said ball is in Muskoka’s court first.

“So if they want, they can stop this proposal. I think so.

“But I think they just want to keep their hands off and let matter sort locally. But I think it’s beyond now. The health minister needs to intervene.”

And/or the premier?

“Maybe we start with the health minister and then the premier.”

Nick Caughey was at Gravenhurst’s council meeting last Tuesday, where SSMH made a presentation about the town’s $1 million hospital pledge. He said it went well, but was politely told by Mayor Heidi Lorenz that SSMH’s actions were premature for a hospital almost a decade away.

Have doctors solicited a meeting with the health minister?

“That’s the next step. That’s what we will do.”

Gupta remained adamant about the doctors’ Care Close to Home model they presented. And having heard all the talks and discussion he said there is nothing new or any other alternative model of any kind that would alter his opinion what is best of for all of Muskoka.

“I think (ours) was the best model. Keeping in view the financial constraints.”

Asked about a comment by ONA nursing rep Ruth Shaw who said South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (SMMH) having the lowest ratio of nurses to patients, Gupta said: “That’s pretty much correct, that is correct. We have the lowest number of beds per patient in the world. This is true. We can look it up. You can Google it. This is true. And we’re further decreasing the beds. It makes absolutely zero sense.”

Looking around at the yesterday’s crowd as it dispersed, Gupta was delighted with what he saw and helped to organize.

He said the support for doctors, their hospital and their cause heightens him every day and every week.

“This rally was a good indication that the community is rallying up and we do not like this proposal.”

Some 800 SMMH supporters showed up in the rain yesterday to hear more about its possible fate.

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