One Health System, Two Sites

Reimagining Local Health Care

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) ambitious vision for transforming local health care with two new hospitals in Muskoka is making significant progress towards realization. In April 2022, the Ford government endorsed our initiative, green-lighting MAHC to advance to the next planning phase for establishing 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 through to the end of 2023, we participated in thorough program and service planning to align with the evolving healthcare requirements of patients and families in Muskoka and East Parry Sound. We then continued extensive engagement with our stakeholders to refine the plan. Supported by a planning grant from the Province of Ontario, MAHC is diligently working through Stage 1.3 of the Ministry of Health’s capital planning process. Our objective is to submit the Functional Program by the fall of 2024, following comprehensive consultations with our stakeholders to ensure our plans are both reflective and supportive of our community’s needs.

Exciting Developments Ahead: MAHC’s New Health Care Vision

Introduction to Our Vision

We are thrilled to announce a transformative journey with the construction of two state-of-the-art hospitals for the Muskoka region. Supported by an approximate $740 million investment from the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario, this project is not just about building hospitals, but crafting a future-proof healthcare environment for our community.

Shaping Tomorrow Together

With invaluable contributions from our community members, staff, volunteers, and partners, we’ve envisioned a groundbreaking, multi-site regional hospital designed to revolutionize healthcare delivery for generations to come in Muskoka and surrounding areas.

Why Now?

• The Urgent Call for Modernization

Our existing facilities, designed several decades ago, no longer meet today’s health care standards. This initiative is a rare opportunity to address current limitations through the creation of two new hospitals equipped with the latest in medical technology and designed for optimal patient care.

• Revolutionizing Care:

Building New vs. Renovating Old: While renovations were considered, the reality of outdated facilities that don’t meet current codes made new constructions a more practical and cost-effective choice. New buildings allow for uninterrupted health care services during construction and are designed to be future-ready, ensuring compliance with modern health care standards.

Stage 1.3 Functional Program Overview

The Functional Program forms a crucial part of our redevelopment journey, where future health care delivery models are shaped by extensive community and stakeholder input. This stage leverages detailed volume projections for the next 10 to 20 years and benefits significantly from the direct involvement of diverse user groups. These groups comprise MAHC team members, patients, family members, caregivers, community partners, and stakeholders, all collaborating through targeted engagement sessions.

User Group Contributions:

• Service Descriptions: User groups play a vital role in articulating the scope of future services.
• Care Models: Ensuring that our care models are contemporary, innovative, and sustainable.
• Staffing Needs: Identifying necessary staffing to support advanced care models.
• Physical Planning: Assisting in the detailed planning of physical spaces as the design process progresses.

Additionally, insights gained from the pandemic regarding clinical models and health human resources are being integrated to refine our strategies and enhance resilience.

The outputs from this stage will include block diagrams illustrating the necessary buildings and spaces to support proposed programs and services. We will revisit initial assumptions based on contemporary healthcare delivery trends and the evolution of specialized health centres, both regionally and through our local services.

As we envision a unique Made-in-Muskoka multi-site regional hospital, our aim is to elevate the quality of health care in Muskoka, introduce new services, and extend our reach beyond the hospital walls. For a deeper understanding of our plans, a video from a recent virtual engagement session, along with a slide deck and statistical analyses, are available to illustrate the transition from current to future healthcare projections.

Continuous Engagement and Updates

• On February 9, 2024, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare issued a statement emphasizing our commitment to thorough, ongoing stakeholder consultation over the coming months. It is important to note that some information, such as future steps and timelines presented in the engagement session, may evolve based on this continuing dialogue.
• An update was further provided on February 23, 2024, signifying our proactive approach to keeping the community informed and involved.

Feedback and Participation

Your insights and feedback are invaluable to us. We encourage you to share your ideas and comments by emailing us at redevelopment@mahc.ca. Your active participation is crucial as we work together to shape a future-focused multi-site regional hospital in Muskoka.

Redevelopment Project Funding and Community Investment

We are pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario have committed approximately $740 million towards our ambitious redevelopment project. This funding primarily covers the construction of cutting-edge facilities, ensuring that our health care services meet modern standards and community needs.

As an integral part of this project, the local community contribution is pivotal. A total of $225 million, making up to 30% of the project cost, will be directed towards furnishing and equipping the new facilities with state-of-the-art medical equipment, as well as the development of essential infrastructure. This community investment is not just a financial commitment but a cornerstone in building a healthcare plan that reflects our shared values and priorities.

Breakdown of Community Contributions:

• Construction Costs: A significant portion of the construction expenses of the hospital.
• Equipment and Technology: Advanced medical technology and equipment to enhance patient care.
• Furnishings and Fixtures: High-quality furnishings and fixtures to create a comfortable and healing environment.
• Revenue-Generating Infrastructure: Construction of spaces such as parking lots and retail areas to support ongoing healthcare services.
• Land and Development Costs: Acquisition and preparation of land necessary for the project.
• Financing Costs: Financial management and planning expenses.

Recognizing the challenges posed by the current economic climate and potential future increases in construction costs, we have prioritized developing a robust financing plan for the community share. In collaboration with our municipal partners in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands, we reached a significant milestone in October 2023, securing a strategic financing plan that supports our vision.

This collective effort underscores a shared commitment to enhancing health care infrastructure uniquely suited to our region, through strong partnerships and community engagement. We are committed to transparency and continuing dialogue with our community as we move forward with this transformative project.

Learn more about our work to refine the community share and how you can get involved.

A Collaborative Path Forward: The Planning Journey Since 2012, MAHC has engaged in a comprehensive and consultative planning process. Facing unexpected cost increases and shifting health care demands, we pivoted our approach to adopt innovative strategies based on successful models across the province, ensuring a sustainable and efficient system that addresses our community’s unique needs.

Future Steps: Toward a Community-Centric Health Plan As we refine our plans based on ongoing community and professional feedback, we remain focused on achieving a model that reflects wide consensus and meets the evolving health care needs of our region. Our approach includes continuous community dialogue to ensure that our health services evolve as our community does.

Project Highlights and Innovations

• Two New Hospitals: A groundbreaking development in Muskoka to enhance health care access and quality.
• Embracing Modernity: Leveraging cutting-edge technology and design principles to build facilities that meet contemporary health demands and standards.
• Community First: An unwavering commitment to consult, engage, and listen to the community at every project phase.

Elevating Regional Health Care: A Made-in-Muskoka Plan Our move towards a multi-site regional hospital from a local-based model is driven by the need to enhance health care delivery through centralized excellence and innovation. This shift not only addresses current financial and resource pressures but also sets a robust foundation for high-quality, sustainable patient care.

Engagement and Transparency: Our Commitment Our planning and development process has been, and will continue to be, an open book. We are committed to ongoing communication and transparency, sharing updates, and engaging with the community through every step of this exciting journey.

Next Steps: Building on Solid Ground We’re not just building hospitals; we’re creating health care hubs that will serve as pillars of health and wellness in the region. The next steps involve finalizing designs and continuing to engage with all stakeholders to ensure these new facilities truly meet the needs of everyone in Muskoka.

A Bright Future Ahead This is more than a redevelopment project—it’s a commitment to future generations. We’re not just constructing buildings; we’re crafting a healthier future for Muskoka and area, ensuring every resident receives the care they deserve, right in their community.

Serving Muskoka and Area

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is committed to creating a unified health care model that will serve the entire Muskoka region and its surrounding areas with exceptional health care services. Our mission is to build a seamlessly integrated health network that not only addresses the immediate health needs but also anticipates future health care trends and challenges. By consolidating resources and expertise across our new facilities in Huntsville and Bracebridge, we aim to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and quality of care for every member of our community.

As we move forward, our focus is on fostering a multi-site regional hospital that embodies innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. This involves integrating a broad spectrum of health services under one operational umbrella to ensure that all residents of Muskoka and nearby regions benefit from comprehensive and coordinated care. With the continuous support of the Ontario government and the active involvement of local stakeholders, MAHC is dedicated to realizing this vision by transforming our health care landscape into a model of excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability.

More Information

Governance and Structure

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is dedicated to maintaining robust governance as we advance through our capital redevelopment project. To this end, the MAHC Board of Directors has established a Capital Redevelopment Steering Committee tasked with providing thorough governance oversight. Additionally, a Capital Redevelopment Operations Committee has been formed, comprising members of MAHC’s Leadership Team, physician leaders, hospital foundation representatives, and project consultants. Their critical role is to navigate the Stage 1.3 requirements, offering regular reports and strategic recommendations to the Board’s steering committee.

Central to our redevelopment efforts are the user groups, which are instrumental in shaping our final submission. Comprising staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, and their families, these groups play a pivotal role in 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 every step we take is informed by those who know our community best, guaranteeing that our new facilities meet and exceed the expectations of those we serve.

Information Sharing and Consultation

Engaging with our community has been a cornerstone of the planning process for our new facilities. The insights and feedback from both internal and external stakeholders have been instrumental in shaping our vision for the two new sites. As we progress, we will continue to seek input through various channels to ensure that our developments reflect the needs and aspirations of those we serve.

Our approach relies heavily on the integration of feedback from our community partners, patients, families, staff, physicians, and volunteers. We are dedicated to maintaining open and ongoing communication, ensuring that the MAHC team and the broader community are well-informed and engaged every step of the way. Remember, you can stay updated on our progress by subscribing to receive email notifications through the blue banner at the bottom of our webpages.

For detailed information and updates, please visit the FAQs section of our website.