Stevenson Memorial Hospital's CEO has declined an invitation to take part in a talkback panel discussion about birthing in the community, following an upcoming play about the subject according to Birth On Labour Day (BOLD) producer Melissa Cowl.

In a letter dated Aug. 16 SMH president and CEO Ed Takacs declined an invitation to take part in the session called What Women Want: A New Tecumseth Perspective.

Cowl said having no SMH senior administration present is disappointing, but added that there is potential; a delegate will be sent on behalf of the hospital to participate.

The talkback session is part of an event being hosted at the Gibson Centre Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

Cowl said local women are putting on a production of the play Birth, followed by a moderated talk about the play. As the SMH birthing unit has been closed since December 2006, birthing in the community is among the topics up for discussion.

Guest panelists include a pediatrician and breastfeeding specialist, an obstetrician and midwife, a Concerned Citizen Committee representative and a Community Advisory representative. Cowl said there is still time for the hospital to have senior administration take part.

In response to Cowl's invitation for an SMH rep to take part, Takacs wrote "the hospital's method of communication regarding birthing unit developments and progress on the recommendations of the Expert Panel has been, and will continue to be, publications in the local media and our website."

Recent developments for the ward were outlined in an attachment.

Proceeds from the BOLD production are going towards the birthing unit. To reopen the unit and sustain it for three years will cost the hospital $1.4 million, according to a SMH statement in April.

Phone calls to Takacs for further comment weren't returned before press time.

Mark Rochon, who was appointed by the provincial government as supervisor of the hospital after the board of directors resigned, said reopening the maternal services is currently a priority at SMH and Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket.

"It is now crucial to find qualified obstetricians who will be dedicated to the community program and will work in the collaborative model to provide health care excellence to the New Tecumseth area," said Rochon in the release.

Rochon is also putting out the call to the community. He's looking for qualified individuals to be part of a focus group that will go through applicants for the new hospital board. Rochon and the group will hand pick the board. He said, even after it has been re-established, there will be a transition period where he will remain in place as supervisor at the hospital.

Other progress for the hospital includes Lorrie Reynolds, who is the Southlake Maternal Child Care Program director, splitting her time between the two hospitals. Reynolds is overseeing the recruitment of a full-time RN Clinical Coordinator to manage the daily operations of SMH maternal services. The hospital hopes to have the position filled by the end of September.

The Obstetrics Committee and Dr. Nancy Merrow, Southlake's Chief of Staff, are implementing a plan to recruit obstetricians to SMH who meet the requirements of both hospitals. According to the release, the goal is to hire one obstetrician in 2007 who exhibits the leadership ability to develop and sustain a program.

Obstetrics Committee members are also reviewing a report recommending how to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the maternal services unit from the Alliston-based Good Birthing Group.

E-mail reporter Maija Hoggett at mhoggett@simcoe.com