Editorials/Opinions
The following blog is designed to share opinions, editorials and letters highlighting the various issues, challenges and opportunities facing healthcare in Muskoka and area. Each article includes a link to the complete article, as well as the name or group writing the piece. The goal is to highlight a diverse discussion and share perspectives from experienced professionals within and outside the healthcare sector.
All Candidates Forum: Huntsville candidates weigh in on healthcare and future hospital debt
Nine candidates running in the October 22 municipal election for Mayor, Town and District Council, and Brunel Ward fielded questions on everything from affordable housing and healthcare to water quality and waterfront development at an All-Candidates Forum on...
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare receives silver in 2017 Green Hospital Scorecard
MUSKOKA — Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s environmental performance has earned yet another Silver recognition through the Ontario Hospital Association’s 2017 Green Hospital Scorecard. The scorecards are based on 2016 data, assigning an overall score of 48.33 at the...
Our health care future is bright with a two-site hospital ~ Philip Matthews
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is working through Stage 1 Proposal planning, one of five distinct stages in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s capital planning process for hospitals. Stage 1 has been a new chapter in MAHC’s planning for the future work...
Health minister’s response to Muskoka hospital woes ‘most promising’ says Aitchison
Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison said Muskoka municipal representatives had an opportunity to meet with incoming Ontario Health Minister and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott at a recent AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) conference. Aitchison told his...
What we have learned and what we need to change going forward to ensure hospital’s future
It’s been a long tumultuous journey, beginning in 2012, and now, finally, MAHC has abandoned their flawed 2015 single-site hospital decision. I have been outspoken on this matter, serving first on the MAHC board for two years (immediately following the original 2015...
Hospital Future Planning – Lessons and Changes
It’s been a long tumultuous journey, beginning in 2012, and now finally, MAHC has abandoned their flawed 2015 single-site hospital decision. I have been outspoken on this matter, serving first on the MAHC board for 2 years (immediately following the original 2015...
Time for Almaguin to “step up to the plate” with hospital funding, say officials
ALMAGUIN — Throughout the discussions on the future of health care in Muskoka, Burk’s Falls reeve Cathy Still has never lost faith that there would be a hospital in both Huntsville and Bracebridge. So last week’s task force decision to recommend retaining two acute...
Here’s why it’s hard to trust, even after MAHC board supports recommendation
The recent news that the MAHC Board accepted the recommendation of the Task Force is good news indeed. The last three years of spin, public meetings where no questions from the floor were allowed, and misleading information are hopefully behind us. Gone too should be...
Muskoka hospital chair hopes 2-site decision bolsters future support
Majority decision of hospital board replaces 1-hospital plan with 2-hospital plan after broad community advocacy efforts MUSKOKA — Residents, it seems, can make a difference when they raise their voices. Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s board of directors endorsed the...