Newborn deaths in QLD have almost doubled in four years, damning report finds

More babies die a month after birth in QLD than in any other state in Australia, a horrifying statistic that has nearly doubled in four years. 

A shocking report from the Productivity Commission found that more babies die within the first 28 days of delivery in Queensland hospitals than in any other state in Australia. 

Data shows thousands of babies were lost during the perinatal and neonatal stages, either as stillborns or dying within the first month of birth.  

These figures have almost doubled in four years. 

The report has since sparked an urgent clinical review into maternity services in Queensland, particularly rural areas that have become thin on recourses. 

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Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has called for an "in-depth clinical review" of the alarming report. Source: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Queensland reported highest perinatal deaths than any other state

Queensland was the highest Australian state, with 11.5 per cent perinatal deaths per 1000 in 2022, up from 7.8 per cent in 2018. 

It was second to the Northern Territory, which recorded 19.9 per cent perinatal deaths per 1000.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has raised concerns with the report and called for an “in-depth clinical review” into the alarming figures “to identify potential causal factors and any associated recommendations.” 

“While perinatal death rates in Queensland have historically been higher than the Australian average, we want to do everything we can to understand any preventable causes and what can be done to address them,” she told reporters. 

Speaking to the Courier Mail, she said she was particularly concerned with the increasing rate of stillborn than neonatal deaths, which “have remained stable.” 

Of the 11.5 per cent of deaths in 2022, 8.4 per cent were stillborns, with neonatal deaths making up 3.1 per cent. 

“I want this review to look into why we have a high level of stillbirths,” she said. “I want Queensland to have the lowest rate going forward.” 

South Australia took out the lowest rate, with 4.6 perinatal deaths per 1000 in 2022.

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The number of perinatal deaths in Queensland has nearly doubled in four years. Source: Supplied

“The number of deaths has nearly doubled in four years”

Alecia Staines from the Maternity Consumer Network said the number of infant deaths in Queensland was disgraceful. 

“The number of deaths has nearly doubled in four years,” she told the Courier Mail, adding the closure of services and a lack of maternity services “certainly don’t improve” the outcomes.

“We are a big state with lots of area to cover, but the government must provide the services to improve outcomes for women and their families,” she said. 

In response to the shocking report, a Queensland Heath spokesperson said the government is investing almost $100 million to further enhance maternity care, which includes rural, regional and remote birthing centres.

“Reasons for changes in perinatal mortality rates can be complex and include factors such as a mother’s age, overall health and socio-economic disadvantage,” the spokesperson said.  

“Queensland is one of the safest places in the country to give birth, and we continue to invest significantly in measures to expand the level of maternity services.

“We have employed more than 7230 additional frontline health workers in the past three years, including 544 doctors, 1,731 nurses, 96 midwives in 2023 alone.”

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Jenna and Andrew McGregor lost their son four days after he was born. Source: Supplied

“How many more babies need to die?” 

The alarming report comes as a couple who lost their son four days after he was born claimed the government wasn’t doing enough to support healthcare in rural areas. 

A damning 2022 investigation from Queensland Health into Mackay Base Hospital's gynaecology and obstetrics services found its inadequate care led to the deaths of three babies and promised systematic change.

However, some families have claimed nothing has been done. 

Jenna and Andrew McGregor lost their son Hugo in March 2023 from catastrophic brain injuries four days after his birth. 

The report found Jenna should have been cared for by the “obstetric-led” team and argued there were 34 failures reported on the day of their son's birth. 

It also stated the hospital was experiencing “ongoing poor culture for interdisciplinary respect” and “numerous communication issues”.

“Queensland Health's own report, it states on multiple occasions there [were] opportunities for earlier intervention,” Jenna said per 9News. “There seems to be a sense of 'There [are] enough people in the room' ... with limited consideration for 'Are they the right people?'”

“How many more babies need to die before they actually make a proper change and actually do what they say they're going to do?”

Originally published as Newborn deaths in QLD have almost doubled in four years, damning report finds