MUSKOKA, ON, March 17, 2015 /CNW/ - The Towns of Bracebridge and Huntsville are hosting community rallies this weekend to send a clear message to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - the continued delivery of a full range of emergency, inpatient and surgical services at both the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge and the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital is vital to each of the Towns and all of the communities in the Muskoka region.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) provides acute care services at the hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville. Recent changes to provincial funding formulas have put increasing pressure on MAHC and the delivery of acute care hospital services at the two locations. MAHC is currently reviewing a number of service delivery options for the future and are poised to make recommendations to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care later this spring.
Maintaining the full range of existing acute care services at both hospital sites is crucial to the long-term sustainability of the communities and vital for the provision of adequate health care services for the permanent and seasonal residents.
Community rallies are being held as follows:
Bracebridge Rally – Hands Up For Our Hospitals |
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Date: |
March 21, 2015 |
Time: |
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |
Location:
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Bracebridge Sportsplex, 110 Clearbrook Trail, Bracebridge, ON P1L 0A3
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Huntsville Rally – Save Our Services |
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Date: |
March 21, 2015 |
Time: |
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
Location:
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Huntsville Town Hall, 37 Main Street East, Huntsville, ON P1H 1A1
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"Now is the time for the community to come out and voice support for our hospitals," said Mayor Graydon Smith. "It's imperative that MAHC and the Province hear how important our hospitals and their services are to Bracebridge, Huntsville and the entire Muskoka region."
Mayor Scott Aitchison commented, "A fully functional acute care hospital is a must in both Huntsville and Bracebridge. We face unique pressures on our health care system in Muskoka, and the discontinuation of any areas of service would have a severe impact on the communities."
SOURCE Town of Bracebridge
Image with caption: "Town of Bracebridge (CNW Group/Town of Bracebridge)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150317_C4196_PHOTO_EN_13331.jpg
Image with caption: "Town of Huntsville (CNW Group/Town of Bracebridge)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150317_C4196_PHOTO_EN_13332.jpg
Mayor Graydon Smith - (705) 644-3253, Email: [email protected]; Mayor Scott Aitchison - (705) 789-1751 ext. 2255, Email: [email protected]
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