HOSPITALS’ FATE COULD BE SEALED TUESDAY AS DOCTORS CLAIM ‘TOXIC ENVIRONMENT PUBLICLY AND WITHIN MAHC’

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — South Muskoka doctors cite a “toxic environment, widespread mistrust and frustration, both publicly and within Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare.”

This as the MAHC board is expected to vote Tuesday on a motion calling for its consultants to “proceed with the formal, detailed planning … for the Stage 1.3 submission to the Ministry of Health … based on the current proposed model ….”

That is being interpreted by opponents as the end of the doctors’ ‘Care Close to Home’ model — and no further discussions with them about changes that would see what is being called a disproportionate sharing of services with MAHC’s northern site.

Public rallies of concerned south Muskoka citizens and hospital workers have continued all winter, spring and now summer calling for changes to MAHC’s redevelopment plan, including a large one last weekend in downtown Bracebridge.

In yet another letter to the public — this time signed by 50 physicians and obtained by MuskokaTODAY.com — they write:

To The Board of Directors for MAHC:

“We continue to oppose the hospital redevelopment proposal. Despite reports of collaboration, we have not seen Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare make any further substantial changes to their model as we continue to express our concerns for patient care.

“We have ongoing apprehension regarding patient transportation, acute care bed capacity, and most importantly, the long-term viability of the proposed Bracebridge site.

We have been disappointed with the redevelopment process. The poor communication and lack of transparency has fostered a toxic environment of widespread mistrust and frustration, both publicly and within Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare.

This decision will impact patient care in Muskoka for generations to come. We urge the board of directors of MAHC delay submission of the redevelopment proposal until further changes are made, in the best interests of healthcare for our community.”

MAHC agenda strategic direction

Meanwhile, a copy obtained of tomorrow’s MAHC board of directors meeting at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital at 5:30 p.m. — shows under “open session agenda” just one item up for discussion under “Strategic Direction:

“Stage 1.3: Functional Programming

MOTION: That upon the recommendation of the Capital Redevelopment Steering Committee, the Board of Directors:

  1. Authorize the consultants to proceed with the formal, detailed planning and documentation for the Stage 1.3 Submission to the Ministry of Health regarding the functional programming for the redevelopment of the two hospitals based on the current proposed model as detailed in the Report.
  2. And continue to work on the model with consultants and all stakeholders to collaborate on strategies for addressing flexible space, future capacity planning, and the key issues identified for the success of the project identified in the Report.”

The motion is unclear as to whether this will result as the final submission. But it appears every more likely that as expected the province will have to choose between MAHC board or the doctors and public.

This all follows as South Muskoka doctors and the hospital board have held talks in recent months, which have been characterized by both sides differently. MAHC calls them productive; doctors dispute that leading to their latest letter.

And a mounting public campaign in south Muskoka opposing MAHC’s plan and appealing for “two equal hospitals as promised.”

MAHC board members have countered by going on speaking tours to some areas town councils to defend their decision for more than three times as many beds in Huntsville compared to south Muskoka in Bracebridge.

The doctors had asked the president of the credentialed staff —  Dr.  Gleeson, as an ex-officio director — to present the letter at the meeting late Tuesday afternoon.

Monday’s letter was signed by these physicians:

  1. Dr. Scott Whynot
  2. Dr. Kersti Kents
  3. Dr. Shannon Lees
  4. Dr. Lisa Tsugios
  5. Dr. Rohit Gupta
  6. Dr. Bharti Mittal
  7. Dr. Christopher LaJeunessse
  8. Dr. Kristen Jones
  9. Dr. Timea Maxim
  10. Dr. Cole Krensky
  11. Dr. Vicki Dechert
  12. Dr. John Rhee
  13. Dr. Terry Bridle
  14. Dr. Paulette Burns
  15. Dr. Keith Moran
  16. Dr. John Daniel
  17. Dr. Jeff Pitcher Dr. Martin O’Shaughnessy
  18. Dr. Kim Forester
  19. Dr. Michael Mason
  20. Dr. Courtney Potts
  21. Dr. Graeme Gair
  22. Dr. Tom Irvine
  23. Dr. Rand Simpson
  24. Dr. Ardyn
  25. Todd Dr. Kent Phillips
  26. Dr. Chris Richardson
  27. Dr. David Kent
  28. Dr. Ken Hotson
  29. Dr. Florian Kirstein
  30. Dr. Karen Martin
  31. Dr. Tony Drohomyrecky
  32. Dr. Stephen Rix
  33. Dr. Andy Wilson
  34. Dr. Jessica Reid
  35. Dr. William Hemens
  36. Dr. Sandi Adamson
  37. Dr. Tony Moran
  38. Dr. Victoria Dawson
  39. Dr. Jennifer Hammell
  40. Dr. Rob Sansom
  41. Dr. Dave Hillyard
  42. Dr. Shane Williams
  43. Dr. Peter Maier
  44. Dr. Luke Wu
  45. Dr. William Caughey
  46. Dr. Keith Cross
  47. Dr. Dave McGregor
  48. Dr. Faizal Bawa
  49. Dr. Tina Kappos
  50. Dr. Terry Holman

EMAIL: [email protected]

30 years of TRUSTED ‘Local Online Journalism’

SINCE MAY 20, 1994

Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1

SUBSCRIBE for $30 by e-transferring to [email protected]

Mail cheque to MuskokaTODAY.com Box 34 Gravenhurst, Ont. P1P 1T5

And include your email address to get stories sent to your inbox