Govt finds four extra obstetricians for embattled Central Qld health service

The Opposition has lashed out at the Palaszczuk government’s delay to address the state’s maternity crisis after Acting Premier Steven Miles sensationally intervened. VOTE IN THE POLL

• Editor’s View: D’Ath refuses to stand up to out-of-control bureacracy

The Opposition has lashed out at the Palaszczuk government’s delay to address the maternity crisis engulfing Central Queensland after Acting Premier Steven Miles intervened to demand answers from the department.

Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates on Tuesday questioned why the sensational intervention from the government had taken six months.

“It’s unfathomable it’s taken this long for the government to work out the situation is urgent,” she said.

“It was urgent more than six months ago when the Gladstone maternity unit shut its doors.”

Ms Bates reiterated the Opposition’s demand for Health Minister Yvette D’Ath to be removed from the crisis-plagued portfolio.

“It’s a complete embarrassment that the Health Minister has had to be dragged to a meeting with her own Director-General by an Acting Premier and former Health Minister.

“This is another black mark on Yvette D’Ath’s appalling record.

“If the Premier won’t act, the Acting Premier should.

“The Health Minister must go.”

Acting Premier Steven Miles has sensationally intervened into the state’s under-pressure health system – demanding answers from Queensland Health bosses over the Central Queensland maternity crisis.

Mr Miles asked Health Minister Yvette D’Ath to convene a meeting between himself and Queensland Health director-general Shaun Drummond on Monday to sort out the problem.

The rare interference from Mr Miles in Ms D’Ath’s portfolio follows revelations expectant mums from Gladstone were so fearful of travelling to Rockhampton that they were demanding elective C-sections.

In the wake of the meeting, the government announced on Monday night that four newly recruited obstetricians for the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service were due to begin mid-year.

It is understood the four obstetricians will work at both Gladstone and Rockhampton Hospitals on rotation – restoring Gladstone to level three maternity services.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath. Picture: Liam Kidston

The government also revealed Queensland Health was exploring multiple opportunities to secure a specialist obstetric locum for Gladstone Hospital.

An announcement about when the specialist obstetric will start is due to be made in the coming weeks – with the move to enable 24/7 emergency obstetric cover at Gladstone.

A locum is when a medical professional temporarily works in a region they are not normally assigned to.

Before the meeting was held, Mr Miles said he wanted to determine if Queensland Health could give the local hospital and health service any more support to bolster the region’s maternity services.

“Everybody wants to see Queensland women – particularly in larger towns like Gladstone – everybody wants to see them able to access the health services they need,” the Acting Premier said.

Acting Premier Steven Miles Picture: Richard Walker

“I’ve asked for that meeting so that we can be assured that no stone has been left unturned to improve the services available in Gladstone.”

The Sunday Mail this week spoke with expectant mothers who were scared they would not make the 100km journey to Rockhampton in time and were now opting for elective C-sections in Gladstone.

When Gladstone Hospital is at level three maternity services, it’s understood it provides birthing services for women who are at 37 or more weeks gestation, and are deemed low-risk and healthy.

Following the Monday afternoon meeting, Mr Miles issued a statement where he conceded it was unacceptable a town the size and significance of Gladstone did not have “sufficient maternity services”.

Queensland Health director-general Shaun Drummond. Picture: Richard Walker

“Queensland, just like other states and countries, is facing challenges recruiting health workers, especially those in obstetrics,” he said.

“Today’s meeting was a positive one and we will continue to work on getting services back as quickly as possible.”

Ms D’Ath – who also attended the meeting with Mr Miles and Mr Drummond – insisted getting Gladstone back to normal maternity services had been a “major priority”.

“And while this has been a stressful time for expectant mothers in Gladstone, the Palaszczuk government is committed to delivering world class healthcare to all Queenslanders,” she said.

The government has also revealed Queensland Health has been recruiting extra obstetricians for metropolitan facilities to “fill short term vacancies as locums”.