Public concern for the future of Mackay Base Hospital’s maternity services mounted this week following reports that the ward could be going into bypass causing patients to be referred to the nearest alternative hospital.
Acting Chief Executive Dr Charles Pain was quick to deny these claims, stating that “Mackay Base Hospital has never been on bypass for maternity services and is not at risk of going on bypass”.
“I would like to provide some reassurance to the community about the safety and sustainability of maternity services at Mackay Base Hospital,” he said.
“We were able to cover a period of emergent leave last year with our team of dedicated obstetricians/gynaecologists and locum support.
“Maternity staffing at Mackay Base Hospital has improved considerably since this time last year with two new highly qualified and experienced consultants appointed.”
There are now five on-site consultants working at the ward and Dr Pain said that by June this will rise to six with a seventh coming onboard in September.
“This improvement in staffing ensures that we are a more sustainable service with reduced reliance on locum support,” he explains.
Mackay Base Hospital Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ward has been under significant scrutiny since a damning report was released by Queensland Health last October.
The report gave evidence of ‘inadequate care’ that resulted in lifelong physical and mental harm, including 21 cases of bladder, urethra and bowel injuries received by maternity and gynaecological patients within a year.
Three babies also lost their lives due to alleged negligence.
The evidence presented from almost 170 cases resulted in two dozen women, including three mothers who had each lost a child, to be offered compensation.
Several staff members were dismissed, and the entire Board was sacked.
Since then, the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ward has been recovering from the damning revelations and working to regain its good name.
Staffing shortages throughout Queensland Health, however, have created a new set of challenges with Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli saying that the entire state is experiencing a “maternity crisis”.
He believes the employment of locum staff is not the best way to run hospital services and was disappointed to see other hospitals “close to bypass” last year.
Gladstone Hospital went into bypass for a month last July and both Gympie and Mackay were close to doing the same.
With new consultants filling the gaps at Mackay Base Hospital, however, it is now hopeful that our local maternity wards will gain strength and credibility over the coming year.
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