She’s hoping for the “yes” from from the obstetrician/gynecologist the Alliston hospital’s administration has currently extended an offer to. It would make a world of difference for both the hospital, and expectant moms in the community.
“We’ve got everything ready to go as soon as we have a yes,” said Reynolds.
It was over a year ago that the hospital closed the birthing unit doors, mostly due to a staffing shortage. Since its closure, there has been a recruitment effort to look for doctors, and staff has worked to upgrade the rooms.
A fresh coat of paint has brightened the four labour and deliver suites to create a more family-focused atmosphere, according to Reynolds. She also has a list of necessary equipment, such as fetal monitors, resuscitation warmers, epidural pumps and delivery carts, to order as soon as there is a doctor lined up. The obstetrical policies and procedures have also been updated, and are similar to those of Southlake Regional Health Centre.
Whoever accepts the position at SMH is making a big commitment. As the sole doctor, they would be on call 24/7 for the first six months. Reynolds said the intention is to have the first doctor assume a leadership role in the unit, with the aim of hiring a second Ob/Gyn during the summer of 2008.
“The main reason is we wouldn’t have the (patient) volume,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds said most of the obstetrics nurses have stayed on staff at the hospital working in other units. In anticipation of having the unit opened shortly, obstetrics nurses will be job-shadowing nurses at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket to refresh their skills.
“We’re really excited to have the nurses going down to Southlake and buddy up,” said Reynolds.
Once up and running, it will be a 10-bed unit. There are the four labour, delivery suites, and six beds for gynecology patients.
Reynolds couldn’t give a timeline for when the unit will reopen though.
After a physician is hired, that person will have to transition their practice to New Tecumseth. A task she said could take six-weeks to three months.
Since early summer, Reynolds said she has been working with the remaining obstetrics staff to team build, encouraging people to stay on board and have patience. To date, she reported the nurses’ morale is good. When the unit reopens she said the hospital will likely be recruiting for additional nursing staff.
With some relief in sight for the birthing unit, other problems that plagued the hospital this past year are also seeing resolution.
Recently, supervisor Mark Rochon announced the new 12-member board of directors, which was needed after the previous board handed in a mass resignation in June.
With a new board in place, it will be phasing out the need for Rochon, who was appointed to his position by the province to oversee the hospital in the absence of a board of directors.
The new board also assumes the task of hiring new administration. Since September, the hospital has seen the resignation of CEO and president Ed Takacs, vice president and chief nursing executive Susan Plewes, chief of staff Dr. Alex Riddell. Interim replacements for Takacs and Plewes are Gary Ryan and Annette Jones, with each biding their time between SMH and Southlake Regional Health Centre. Pediatrician Dr. Trevor Hunt is the interim chief of staff.
In the fall, chief finance and information officer Steve Miller also accepted the position of chief financial officer with Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston.
