Editorial: Fentiman will be judged on action, not reaction

We need a state government that can stay on top of problems and not simply react to system failures, writes the editor.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has done the right thing by confronting head-on the horrific case of Nikkole Southwell, the Fernvale woman who was left in an Ipswich Hospital waiting room holding her miscarried baby in a biohazard bag.

This abhorrent situation, which was allowed to take place in what our own state government often describes as our “world class’’ health system, has shocked and appalled the nation.

Ms Southwell’s terrible treatment is now under review, with recommendations to be sent to the newly appointed Health Minister Ms Fentiman once they are complete.

“I want to ensure that women right across Queensland have access to appropriate and compassionate care,” Ms Fentiman said.

Ms Fentiman has also called a roundtable meeting with maternity stakeholders for June 16 at Parliament House and is open to considering all options presented at the forum.

Aleicia Staines from the Maternity Consumer Network has praised the move, saying it is one of the first times a Queensland health minister has reached out to maternity consumers since the far-off days when the LNP’s Lawrence Springborg held the health portfolio.

Yet even as she appears determined to bring some coherence to Queensland Health, Ms Fentiman had to concede yesterday yet another appalling lack of oversight in the state’s hospital system.

The minister was told by authorities that there was currently no statewide best-practice model of care to deal with women who are miscarrying when they present to hospital.

Ms Fentiman has now asked Queensland Health to urgently work with frontline staff to put together best-practice guidelines and models of care for women who miscarry.

That it took a tragedy to uncover this sort of oversight is unacceptable.

Queenslanders may be forgiven for suspecting that the only time the state government will address problems in health is when media reports uncover them.

Who of us can forget the cases of Brisbane man Derek Dewitt, 77, who died in his driveway while waiting for an ambulance?

We now know at least 20 Queenslanders have died and seven people have needed to be revived in cases where paramedics – under extreme pressure – took too long to respond.

These constant problems in our health system are not necessarily inevitable, nor solely a product of our increasing population or our ageing demographic.

The Opposition’s health spokeswoman Ros Bates honed in on the core issue yesterday when she pointed out Ms Southwell’s terrible ordeal was not the fault of doctors or nurses, but the poor allocation of resources.

While expressing her sympathy for Ms Southwell and her family, Ms Bates also pointed out doctors and nurses of Ipswich Hospital had been under-resourced for years, while the Emergency Department “looks like a war zone”.

A damning assessment.

We need a state government that can stay on top of problems and not simply react when the public becomes outraged by system failure.

CANBERRA MUST ACT QUICKLY ON PINKENBA

The Queensland government will commit $10m to convert Brisbane’s Pinkenba quarantine facility into emergency accommodation.

The announcement came late yesterday after almost 12 months of relentless agitation and advocacy led by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and supported by this newspaper. Previously, we’ve described it as a no-brainer.

The opportunity to convert an empty facility into warm beds can’t be passed up in this current environment.

The government has dragged its heels but yesterday seemed to finally be moving on the idea.

Now the ball is in Canberra’s court.

The state government announcement came on the same day the Salvation Army declared its support for using the Pinkenba facility for temporary housing. Importantly, the charity acknowledged the facility was not the perfect solution. Many have made this point.

But we must never let the perfect be the enemy of the good when we are trying to solve a problem as complex as the housing crisis currently gripping this state.

As a leading provider for the homeless, the Salvation Army understands more than most of us how pressing the problem of homelessness has become.

This crisis shows no sign of easing as inflation climbs, which makes steps like the one taken yesterday all the more important.

Now let’s see Canberra take the next one and act quickly to turn this empty facility into a solution.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here