Dr Philip Reasbeck, who was suspended from Queensland hospital job, now leads regional SA health network

A doctor who was suspended from his administrative role at a Queensland hospital amid a care scandal is now in charge of a South Australian regional health service.

Professor Philip Reasbeck, formerly of Mackay Base Hospital, is now acting director of medical services at Flinders Upper North Local Health Network. Picture: Supplied

A top doctor who was suspended then resigned from an administrative position in a Queensland hospital amid a scandal which resulted in the sacking of the entire board is now in a senior position in major South Australian regional health network.

Professor Philip Reasbeck quit as executive director of medical services of Mackay Base Hospital in May 2022, five months after being suspended while a review was ordered into hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department which found babies died “from inadequate care” and multiple women were injured.

He was not involved in the provision of obstetrics or gynaecological services at the hospital, and he was not mentioned in the independent review.

Mackay Base Hospital, where Professor Philip Reasbeck used to work.

SA Health subsequently hired him on contract work and he is now acting director of medical services at Flinders Upper North Local Health Network.

He also has served as acting executive director of medical services of the Limestone Coast Local Health Network.

Prof Reasbeck was suspended after an independent review into Mackay Base Hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department was launched in 2021 after complaints about complications from Caesareans and allegations of patient harm.

When the review was ordered the hospital’s chief executive Lisa Davies Jones – who subsequently resigned – made a statement reassuring the community “there is no impact on their care or on clinical services”.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service chief executive Lisa Davies Jones. Picture: Stephanie Allen

In response in inquiries from The Advertiser, SA Health issued a short statement.

“Doctor Philip Reasbeck is contracted in the temporary role of Acting Director of Medical Services at Flinders Upper North Local Health Network,” it states.

“There are no restrictions in place in relation to Doctor Reasbeck practising anywhere in Australia.

“Doctor Reasbeck’s contract in the temporary role ends in September.”

SA Health did not answer specific questions from The Advertiser about whether it was aware of Prof Reasbeck’s suspension or if it was aware of the outcome of the investigation into issues at Mackay Hospital.

The review into Mackay Hospital resulted in a scathing report and 122 recommendations for change.

It found “multiple examples of substandard clinical care, poor clinical incident monitoring, poor management of safety and quality, complications and clinical deterioration and poor human resources management.”

Queensland’s then-health minister Yvette D’Ath said “inadequate care” contributed to the deaths of three babies.

“Those three cases span over 10 years. No family should ever have to experience the devastation of the loss of a child and certainly not under these circumstances,” she said when releasing the report.

The review of incidents from July 1, 2019 to November 1, 2021, found 26 women had below standard care and had been injured or harmed.

Ms D’Ath thanked the 170 women who came forward after a patient advocate triggered the investigation, “many telling their deeply personal and sometimes deeply traumatic experiences.”

“You have shone a light on failings that have been hidden for far too long,” she said.

Prof Reasbeck trained as a general and vascular surgeon in England before completing his surgical training in New Zealand.

He worked as a consultant, general and vascular surgeon in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the UK before becoming a medical administrator.

The Advertiser has sought comment from Prof Reasbeck.