Three Deaths, 81 Cases And 171 Women

A Damning Report About Mackay Base Hospital Obstetrics And Gynaecology Unit

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath spoke in Mackay last week to deliver details of a damning report into the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) obstetrics and gynaecology unit.

Minister D’Ath released the findings of the investigation and the HHS’s response to the recommendations, acknowledging the 171 women who came forward to tell their deeply personal and traumatic experiences.

“To each and every one of these women, whether they were part of the investigation or the consumer case management pathway, I want to say thank you for your bravery and courage,” Minister D’Ath said.

“The report is damning in its identification of failings at multiple levels within Mackay HHS and, particularly, the Mackay Base Hospital.

“The investigation team found multiple examples of substandard clinical care, poor clinical incident monitoring, poor management of safety and quality, complications and clinical deterioration and poor human resource management.”

A total of 81 women were interviewed by the investigation team, with other cases considered by the team in reaching its findings.

“The report notes that many of these women have sustained lifelong physical and mental harm,” Ms D’Ath said.

“Sadly, I can also confirm that three cases have been identified through the clinical review process where inadequate care contributed to the loss of a child.

“The bottom line is that the investigation team heard that the women who came forward described being ignored, disrespected, neglected, left in pain and were discharged back to their GP with incomplete resolution of their problems and not adequately followed up by Mackay Base Hospital.”

Four clinicians involved in the investigation have been referred to the office of the health ombudsman and are no longer employed by Queensland Health with a fifth individual referred to in the report also submitting their resignation.

Ms D’Ath has issued a show cause notice to the Mackay HHS Board following the release of the report.

The show cause notice asks HHS board members to state how they can effectively discharge their duties and obligations and whether any or all of the board members should be dismissed.

The board members had until today (October 7) to respond.

Ms D’Ath has also appointed Dr Robert Herkes as a special clinical advisor to the HHS board to oversee clinical governance improvements.

Ms D’Ath said the investigation report contains 122 recommendations, with 47 already implemented and with the remainder supported either in full or in principle.

“The recommendations will be implemented within 12 months, to ensure actions are taken as a matter of urgency,” she said.

“I will be expecting monthly updates on the progress of these recommendations.”

Those personally affected gathered outside the hospital as the Health Minister delivered her findings, frustrated that they weren’t permitted to attend.

“It’s disrespectful to what every woman has been through and that we’re standing outside here while all the answers are being given inside and we’re not going to know until it’s reported on later but that’s what we’ve dealt with the whole way through this process,” Melissa Ferrier, a representative of the victims, said.

“These answers are for us.

“This is our lives that have been affected, it’s our lives that are continuing to be affected by what’s happened and what these recommendations are going to be.”

Minister D’Ath met with representatives from consumer advocates, individuals and family representatives as well as attending a forum hosted by Mackay HHS interim Chief Executive Paula Foley, allowing affected women the opportunity to hear and be heard.

Calls are being made for the Health Minister to hand in her job over the poor management of the situation.

Image: Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath spoke in Mackay last week

‍