Gympie mothers slam hospital Children’s Ward closure as an ‘absolute disgrace’

Two devastated mothers have slammed the closure of Gympie Hospital Children’s Ward after a petition to save it closed with about 8000 total signatures this week.

Gympie mum Lisa Mordey has blasted the local hospital's lack of paediatric services as an "absolute disgrace" after her daughter Harper had to be taken to the Sunshine Coast for treatment of bronchiolitis this week.

Two devastated mothers have slammed the closure of Gympie Hospital Children’s Ward after a petition to save it closed with about 8000 total signatures this week.

Gympie MP Tony Perrett said on Thursday (August 26) there were some 3276 signatures to keep the local Children’s War open in a now expired online Parliamentary petition, as well as 1500 in paper petitions collected in the region and about 3300 through a change.org petition.

Mr Perrett said he had written another letter on the issue to Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, and claimed Ms D’Ath had not responded to previous correspondence from himself and Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien in early July.

Young Gympie mother Lisa Mordey said she was gobsmacked to learn of Gympie Hospital’s complete lack of paediatric services this week when her daughter Harper was struck down with illnesses including bronchiolitis.

“Harper needed to be admitted to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for further monitoring as her oxygen saturation is low, and she is struggling with bronchiolitis and conjunctivitis,” Ms Mordey said.

“It was only brought to my attention … whilst in the emergency department that Gympie does not have a paediatrician, what an absolute disgrace.

“Harper’s doctor had to call a paediatrician from SCUH to obtain instructions and directions on how provide her with care.

“We have a hospital here, why is it not being utilised to its full potential? Why should hundreds or thousands of families have to struggle with the logistics of being transferred to SCUH?

Tony Perrett, Llew O’Brien demand answers on Gympie Hospital Children’s Ward closure

“We are already struggling with illnesses and injuries and now we have to separate our family and incur travel costs and parking fees for immediate family to visit us at SCUH.

“Gympie is only getting bigger with young families as it has more affordable housing than the Sunshine Coast. How can they justify (the) spending on constant transfers, two ambulance officers and vehicle costs, taking up unnecessary beds in (the) ED waiting for transfers?”

Another Gympie mum Jessica (last name withheld), shared her positive experience with the now dwindling Gympie children’s ward, thanking them for their help when her young son Liam was struggling with pneumonia in 2019.

“I had to stay at home to care for my two younger children and my husband and mother in law went with Liam to the hospital. The hospital staff in the emergency room saw Liam immediately,” Jessica said.

“He was admitted to the children‘s ward and he was there for the better part of a week. At first they thought it was whooping cough but after some time and an x-ray of his chest they diagnosed him with pneumonia and he began a course of antibiotics.

“He was very very sick and it was a scary time, but I so appreciate the staff at Gympie Hospital in that little ward who cared for my son and always showed compassion, allowing a loved one to be with him at all times and providing him with the treatment he needed to recover.

“We live in a rapidly growing region and with more people comes an undeniable need for accessible emergency services. This should be a priority. This is why I was immensely surprised at the talk of Gympie Hospital reducing the paediatric ward.

“If anything they should be improving and expanding the hospital to meet the needs of the expanding population. Gympie Hospital provides a much needed service to our region, especially when access to quick care is essential. Without this vital access to key services close to home, our community is at risk.”

Both women put pen to paper on the petition to save the children’s ward.

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Mr Perrett said he had been encouraged by the enthusiastic response to the petition and the signatures would be tabled in parliament next week, after which Minister D’Ath would have 30 days to respond.

Minister D’Ath has been contacted for comment.