Our Vision & Service Areas

Reimagining Local Health Care

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) big vision for transforming local health care with two new hospitals in Muskoka is moving forward. In April 2022, the Ford government endorsed our plan, allowing MAHC to move to the next phase of planning for a new hospital on the existing land in Huntsville and another in a new location in Bracebridge. Watch the announcement on YouTube. 

From the fall of 2022 to the end of 2023, we focused on planning programs and services to meet the changing health care needs of patients and families in Muskoka and East Parry Sound. We also engaged with stakeholders to refine the plan. With support from a planning grant from the Province of Ontario, MAHC is working through Stage 1.3 of the Ministry of Health’s capital planning process. Our goal is to submit the Functional Program by the fall of 2024 after thorough consultations to ensure our plans align with the community’s needs. 

Exciting Developments Ahead: MAHC’s New Health Care Vision

Introduction to Our Vision 
We’re excited to share our plans for building two brand-new hospitals for the Muskoka region. Backed by around $740 million from the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario, this project is more than just new buildings—it’s about creating a modern health care system for the future. 

Shaping Tomorrow Together 
With help from our community members, Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), staff, volunteers, and partners, we’re creating a multi-site regional hospital that will transform health care in Muskoka and surrounding areas for years to come. 

Why Now? 
Our current facilities are outdated and no longer meet today’s health care needs. This project is a unique chance to build new hospitals with cutting-edge technology and patient-centered designs, ensuring top-quality care for our community. 

Building New vs. Renovating Old
We considered renovating but found that our old buildings don’t meet today’s health standards. Building new hospitals is a more practical and cost-effective choice, allowing health care services to continue without disruption during construction. The new buildings will also be future-ready, meeting modern health care codes and standards. 

Stage 1.3 Functional Program Overview

We’re currently in Stage 1.3 of our planning process, which involves shaping how health care will be delivered over the next 10 to 20 years. This stage includes input from our team, patients, families, caregivers, and community partners through engagement sessions. 

User Group Contributions: 

• Service Descriptions: Helping to define the future services we will offer. 

• Care Models: Ensuring we adopt modern, sustainable health care practices. 

• Staffing Needs: Identifying the staff required to support these new care models. 

• Physical Planning: Helping plan the hospital’s physical layout and design. 

We’re also learning from the pandemic, incorporating lessons to make our hospitals more resilient. By the end of this stage, we’ll have detailed plans for the buildings and spaces needed to support these new services. 

For a deeper understanding of our plans, a video used recent virtual engagement session, along with data used in the planning process, are available to illustrate the transition from current to future healthcare projections. 

Envisioning the Future: Our goal is to create a unique multi-site regional hospital for Muskoka that improves health care, introduces new services, and reaches beyond hospital walls. You can check out more about our plans through a video from a recent engagement session, as well as a slide deck and statistical analysis that show how we’re transitioning to the future of health care. 

Continuous Engagement and Updates 

On February 9, 2024, MAHC issued a statement reinforcing our commitment to ongoing consultation with stakeholders. Some details, like future steps and timelines, may change as we continue discussions with the community. An update was provided on February 23, 2024, to keep everyone informed. Since then, MAHC has worked closely with all stakeholder groups in face-to-face group and individual sessions to continuously refine the 1.3 submission to the ministry slated for November 2024.  

Feedback and Participation 

We value your input. Please share your thoughts and ideas by emailing us at redevelopment@mahc.ca. Your participation is key as we work together to build a future-focused regional hospital for Muskoka. 

Redevelopment Project Funding and Community Investment

We are excited to announce that the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario have committed approximately $740 million toward our ambitious redevelopment project. This funding will mainly cover the construction of modern facilities, ensuring that health care services align with current standards and meet community needs. 

The Role of Community Investment 
An essential part of this project is the local community’s contribution. A total of $225 million, which represents about 30% of the project cost, will be directed towards furnishing and equipping the new hospitals with cutting-edge medical technology, as well as developing critical infrastructure. This investment goes beyond just financial support—it is a foundational element of a healthcare plan that mirrors the values and priorities of our community. 

Breakdown of Community Contributions: 

• Construction Costs: A portion of the construction costs for the new hospitals. 

• Equipment and Technology: High-end medical technology and equipment to improve patient care. 

• Furnishings and Fixtures: Premium furnishings and fixtures to create a comfortable, healing environment. 

• Revenue-Generating Infrastructure: Development of facilities like parking lots and retail spaces to support hospital operations. 

• Land and Development Costs: Acquisition and preparation of land required for the project. 

• Financing Costs: Financial management and planning. 

Given the current economic challenges and potential future increases in construction costs, we’ve prioritized creating a strong financing plan for the community’s share. In October 2023, we reached an important milestone by securing a strategic financing plan in collaboration with our municipal partners in Muskoka and Almaguin Highlands, supporting the overall vision for the project. 

This collective effort highlights a shared dedication to enhancing the region’s healthcare infrastructure, built on strong partnerships and active community engagement. We are committed to maintaining transparency and keeping the community involved as we move forward with this transformative project. 

A Collaborative Path Forward: The Planning Journey 
Since 2012, MAHC has engaged in an extensive, consultative planning process. In response to rising costs and changing healthcare needs, we adjusted our approach to adopt innovative strategies from successful models across the province, creating a sustainable and efficient system that caters to our region’s unique requirements. 

Future Steps: Toward a Community-Centric Health Plan 
As we continue refining our plans based on community and professional feedback, we remain focused on building a health care model that reflects broad consensus and adapts to the evolving health care needs of Muskoka and surrounding areas. Ongoing dialogue with the community will ensure that our health services grow alongside the region’s population. 

Project Highlights and Innovations 

• Two New Hospitals: A transformative development to improve health care access and quality in Muskoka. 

• Embracing Modernity: Utilizing cutting-edge technology and design to create facilities that meet today’s health demands. 

• Community First: A commitment to ongoing consultation and engagement with the community at every phase. 

Elevating Regional Health Care: A Made-in-Muskoka Plan 
Our shift from a local-based model to a multi-site regional hospital approach addresses both financial and resource pressures while building a strong foundation for high-quality, sustainable patient care. This approach is rooted in centralized excellence and innovation. 

Engagement and Transparency: Our Commitment 
We are dedicated to an open and transparent planning and development process. Continuous updates, community engagement, and stakeholder involvement are at the core of this exciting journey. 

Next Steps: Building on Solid Ground 
This project is not just about constructing new hospitals; it’s about creating health care hubs that will be pillars of health and wellness in the region. Our next steps include finalizing the design process and continuing to engage with all stakeholders, ensuring that these new facilities truly meet the needs of everyone in Muskoka. 

A Bright Future Ahead 
This redevelopment is more than just a project—it’s a commitment to future generations. We are building a healthier future for Muskoka, ensuring every resident receives the care they need, right in their community. 

Serving the Muskoka Area

Our Catchment Area 
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is dedicated to developing a unified health care model that serves the entire Muskoka region and its surrounding areas with top-tier health services. Our goal is to establish an integrated health network that not only addresses current health needs but also anticipates future health care trends and challenges. By consolidating resources and expertise across new facilities in Huntsville and Bracebridge, we aim to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and quality of care for every member of our community. 

Innovative and Collaborative Approach 
As we progress, our focus is on creating a multi-site regional hospital that embodies innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. This involves integrating a comprehensive range of health services under one operational framework to ensure that all residents of Muskoka and nearby regions benefit from cohesive and coordinated care. Supported by the Ontario government and active local stakeholders, MAHC is committed to transforming our health care landscape into a model of excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability. 

Governance and Structure

MAHC is committed to maintaining strong governance throughout our capital redevelopment project. The MAHC Board of Directors has established a Capital Redevelopment Steering Committee to provide rigorous oversight. Additionally, a Capital Redevelopment Operations Committee has been formed, consisting of MAHC’s Leadership Team, physician leaders, hospital foundation representatives, a member of our Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), and project consultants. This committee is tasked with managing the Stage 1.3 requirements, providing regular updates, and offering strategic recommendations to the Board’s steering committee. 

User Groups and Community Involvement 
Central to our redevelopment efforts are the user groups, which include staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, and their families. These groups are essential in shaping our final submission, ensuring that our redevelopment plans align closely with the community’s needs, preferences, and expectations for services and facility design. This collaborative approach ensures that our new facilities will meet and exceed the expectations of those we serve. 

Information Sharing and Consultation

Community engagement has been a key component of our planning process. Feedback from internal and external stakeholders has been vital in shaping our vision for the new sites. We will continue to seek input through various channels to ensure our developments reflect the needs and aspirations of those we serve. 

Ongoing Communication
We are dedicated to maintaining open and continuous communication with our community. You can stay updated on our progress and receive notifications by subscribing through the blue banner at the bottom of our webpages. Your feedback and involvement are crucial as we work together to create health care facilities that truly serve and benefit the Muskoka region.