Women’s and Children’s Hospital in embarrassing ICU accreditation fail

The WCH has lost an important accreditation that’s sparked fears for its ability to bring in new doctors.

The Women’s and Children’s Hospital has lost accreditation for its Paediatric Intensive Care Unit as a training centre, in an embarrassing blow to the flagship hospital – and officials won’t say why.

Withdrawal of accreditation by the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand follows an earlier warning by college officials that the unit was at risk of losing its credentials to train young doctors in providing intensive care to children.

Inquiries by The Advertiser on specifically what issues caused the loss of accreditation were dodged by officials who said they were now working on a plan with the college to fix problems.

A long-term loss of training status could mean registrars who work in the unit can no longer count the time working there towards becoming a consultant, making it a less attractive option for young doctors considering alternatives.

However, hospital officials say this is not the case – yet.

WCH chief executive Lindsey Gough. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Women’s and Children’s Health Network executive director medical services Dr Gavin Wheaton issued a response to The Advertiser’s inquiries on the situation.

“An inspection of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital was undertaken last month as part of accreditation for training in Intensive Care Medicine,” Dr Wheaton said.

“Following the inspection, the College of Intensive Care Medicine has made recommendations that WCHN is required to address in order to secure accreditation.

“The College has confirmed current trainees and the 2023 registrars who have endorsed positions will be supported by the College, and their time working at WCHN will continue to count towards their training to become a consultant.”

Dr Wheaton declined to address The Advertiser’s inquiries on what specific problems in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) needed to be fixed to obtain accreditation.

“We take these matters seriously and our senior management and PICU staff are now working closely with the College on the development of a workforce and sustainment plan,” he said.

“The plan will outline what is needed to resolve the current accreditation issues raised in regard to physical infrastructure and staffing.”

Dr Wheaton noted the state government had committed to an additional 48 doctors for the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.

Two of these are trainee positions allocated to paediatric intensive care and Dr Wheaton says these will help address the workforce requirements.

The College of Intensive Care Medicine did not respond to questions on why the Women’s and Children’s Hospital had failed to achieve accreditation for the PICU.