In January 2026, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) opened five transitional care beds at Granite Ridge Retirement Residence in Gravenhurst to help ease pressure on South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (Bracebridge).
The beds at Granite Ridge are intended for patients who no longer require acute hospital care but still need additional time and support to regain strength before returning home or transitioning to long-term care. By relocating these patients to a community setting, MAHC aims to free up acute-care rooms in Bracebridge for people arriving with emergencies or for planned surgeries.
The South Muskoka Hospital Foundation disbursed $1 million in January 2026 to support patient care and equipment priorities across the site, including investments such as a new patient monitoring system; the Foundation’s announcement does not state the funds were exclusively for the Granite Ridge beds.
This partnership is part of MAHC’s broader strategy under the Made‑in‑Muskoka Healthcare redevelopment plan to improve patient flow and reduce Alternate Level of Care (ALC) pressures by using community-based spaces for step‑down care. MAHC’s January announcement notes the five Granite Ridge beds were previously located at Hospice Muskoka (Andy’s House).
