HUNTSVILLE — Health care improvements over the next decade will see Muskoka hospital beds increase to 140 from 90.

Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott were here Sunday afternoon at Huntsville’s hospital to announce the province is “investing an additional $14 million to modernize and expand Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC).”

They say the funding will support planning for the phased redevelopment of 50 new beds across its two hospital sites at Huntsville District Memorial and South Muskoka Memorial.

And expanded services for all of Muskoka and East Parry Sound.

MAHC currently provides care to over 141,000 residents, cottagers and visitors to the Muskoka. It also provides more than 45,000 patients in its emergency departments every year. Patient care is also supported through a number of outpatient programs at the Almaguin Highlands Health Centre in Burk’s Falls.

Other new services include chronic disease management, mental health and addictions services and emergency health care services.

MAHC has received government approval to implement this phased redevelopment, meaning this important project is part of the government’s 10-year capital plan. The province is working with Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare on the early stages of the planning process, which include identifying programming, operational and space requirements and assessing how the two-site hospital project can further help address the health care needs of patients and residents in the region.

The funding sees operating funding for the fourth straight year. Last year MAHC received $1.7 million in additional operating funding, representing an increase of 2.5 per cent to the operating funding the hospital received the year before.

As part of the government’s over $1.2 billion investment to help hospitals recover from financial pressures created and worsened by COVID-19, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare received $2 million for 2020-21 lost revenue and $7.7 million to help cover historic working funds deficits.

As part of the government’s $760 million commitment in the 2021 Budget to support over 3,100 additional hospital beds during the COVID-19 pandemic, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare received funding for up to 23 acute care beds.

“I am thrilled that our government has committed to redevelop both the Huntsville District Memorial and the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital sites and to expand the number of beds and services offered. This, along with fair funding for medium-sized hospitals after years of chronic underfunding, means the people in Muskoka and East Parry Sound will continue to have access to the health care services they need close to home for years to come,” said MPP Norman Miller.

“This is an exciting day for Huntsville, Bracebridge, all of Muskoka and East Parry Sound. The future of our two hospitals and the healthcare of our residents have taken a giant step forward today. On behalf of the Town of Huntsville, a huge thank you to Premier Ford and Minister Elliot,” added Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano.

or of Huntsville.

Quick facts:

All hospitals will receive a 4 per cent increase from last year. And all publicly-funded hospitals get a minimum 2 per cent increase to their budgets.

To support growing demands on the health care system, Ontario’s investments over the next 10 years will lead to $30 billion in health infrastructure across the province. These investments will increase capacity in hospitals, build new health care facilities and renew existing hospitals and community health centres.