State confirms investigation into ‘concerning’ reports of maternity crisis at Gladstone Hospital

Midwives in Gladstone who have defied the local hospital’s maternity bypass rules have been praised as ‘heroes’, as the state government confirms an investigation into ‘serious allegations.

The Opposition has lauded the Gladstone midwives forced to defy the hospital’s bypass rules to save the lives of mothers as “heroes”, while slamming the lack of maternity services in the town as a “disgrace”

The Courier-Mail revealed on Saturday midwives at Gladstone Hospital had been forced to push back on hospital policy to save the lives of mothers and babies, with the hospital’s maternity unit on bypass to Rockhampton since July.

Two women bravely shared their stories of how they feared they would have died if not for Gladstone midwives breaking protocol, and intervening in them being transferred more than 100km by ambulance.

Ari Prince, with partner Luke Shelton and baby Eli, was 35 weeks’ pregnant when a midwife raised concerns about plans to send her to Rockhampton hospital from Gladstone by road while showing signs of serious illness.

Speaking on Saturday, Transport Minister Mark Bailey said investigations were occurring into the “serious allegations”, which he said was an appropriate course of action.

“Obviously it was a concerning report to read, I understand Queensland Health are investigating,” he said, adding Health Minister Yvette D’Ath – who is currently on leave – was “doing a fantastic job” in the troubled portfolio.

LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie said the reports coming from Gladstone were “disturbing” and “disgraceful”.

“We had a situation where a mother, about to give birth with serious complications, was told you’re going to have to get in an ambulance and travel 100 kilometres,” he said.

Queensland Deputy Leader of the Opposition Jarrod Bleijie. Pic: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“A brave midwife decided to go against the system, go against the hierarchy in the hospital and phone an off duty obstetrician, who was about to board a plane and head to Brisbane.

“In July last year, the state Labor government put the maternity service of Gladstone hospital on bypass – it is disgraceful that it is still on bypass, and we are seeing the tragic circumstances.

“And I’ve read the reports, and I’ve got no doubt that if this expectant mother and her baby were put in an ambulance and had to travel 100 kilometres with the medical issues she had, she may not have survived and the child may not have survived.”

Mr Bleijie said Mr Bailey had shown “no anger, no empathy” over the situation.

“He had no outrage that this hospital maternity services was still on bypass,” he said.

“Now he said there’s an investigation on foot. Well, what are they investigating? Hopefully they’re not investigating the brave nurse that bucked the system and went to an off duty obstetrician, because she’s the hero.”

In December, a group of mothers held a protest outside Water Minister and Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher’s office 165 days after a bypass was declared for the hospital’s maternity unit.

In October, Mr Butcher said he would “put his job on the line” over the issue, and “if what the LNP is saying is true and we never get maternity services back … I will quit. Simple as that.”

Minister for Regional Development and Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher. Pic: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“Well, where is his resignation? Because this hospital is still on bypass six months later,” Mr Bleijie said on Saturday.

“This Health Minister (Ms D’Ath) is more interested in how things look politically for the government than actually getting on and doing the job.

“The good thing for Queensland is if Premier Palaszczuk won’t change the Health Minister, then Queensland does have an opportunity to change the Health Minister next year when we have an election.”

Originally published as State confirms investigation into ‘concerning’ reports of maternity crisis at Gladstone Hospital