The health care needs of our population are always changing and so are the ways that we take care of them. Research and technology are improving the way that patients are treated, prolonging lives and improving the quality of life for many.
In order to prepare for changes, new technologies and equipment, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is currently working on a master program and a master plan. Both are required by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for any major decisions around programs, services and the use of the property. It is a lengthy process and one that is part of prudent planning for the future.
Our master program will outline the type and extent of health care services to be delivered by our facilities. It will include projected programs, staffing and departmental space requirements over a 25-year timeframe. The master plan supports and demonstrates potential for developing our sites and is a high level design view of how our sites could be developed to meet future requirements over the next 50 years.
We know that our facilities, due to their age, are not consistent with current standards and pose challenges in regards to space right now. We are also looking at long-range plans to best accommodate the services we should be providing as acute care hospitals to service our patient base.
The master planning exercise also allows us to consider development options as they relate to partnership opportunities with other health care services. This planning process will guide us in building and strengthening our services and may also show us that we need to make some adjustments so we are well positioned for the future.
In the meantime, MAHC is working to maintain our hospitals through renovations as funds are available. The emergency department at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Site was recently renovated and renovations to the Dialysis unit are currently underway. These upgrades allow us to provide better care to our patients and improve workflow and infection control measures.
News about MAHC and improvements to our facilities can be found online at www.mahc.ca.
Hi, my name is Cheryl Harrison and in May 2022 I became President and CEO at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare. I'm pleased to blog bimonthly on matters of interest across MAHC's two hospital sites. From time to time, others have taken the pen as well on my behalf. Thanks for reading! Note: the CEO Blog has previously featured blog posts by Vickie Kaminski (Interim President and CEO January-May 2022) and by Natalie Bubela (President and CEO January 2012-December 2021)
