Letter alleges more failures at Caboolture Hospital

A letter purportedly written by a group of doctors from a troubled Queensland hospital has raised allegations of operations being done without assistants and ‘negative outcomes’ in the ‘labour ward’.

An external investigation has been launched into a series of allegations made in a letter purportedly written by a group of doctors from Caboolture Hospital.

The letter – sent to officials, such as Health Minister Yvette D’Ath – raised allegations of operations being done without assistants, as well as a “negative outcome” in the “labour ward”.

Metro North Health wouldn’t answer a number of questions about allegations in the letter, but confirmed they were conducting an external investigation into the claims that had been raised.

The letter, dated December 13 last year, warned of “worsening staffing issues”, and claimed the “labour ward and midwifery department” has been under a lot of pressure and stress in the recent months.

The letter alleged there was a “negative outcome from labour ward” and claimed it was likely due to patient numbers rather than the competence of staff.

But the letter doesn’t elaborate further on what the “negative outcome” was.

Caboolture Hospital has had more failures. Photo: Peter Wallis

Metro North Health also wouldn’t say if they were aware of the “negative outcome” referred to in the letter.

“With increased number of births, the ratio of midwives to patients could be better,” the letter says.

The letter also raises concerns about reduced staffing, and claims there had been an increase in sick days among junior staff – which they alleged meant operations had to be done without an assistant.

The letter is written by a group claiming to be doctors working for the Metro North Hospital and Health Service. The letter is not signed off by anyone by name.

Approached about the letter, a spokeswoman for Metro North Health said they were unable to comment further due to the “ongoing nature” of the external investigation.

The letter was forwarded to Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, who said he was thankful they had reached out.

He said the state government needed to admit the resourcing at Caboolture Hospital was “broken”, insisting that it deserved to be taken seriously.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath says she is awaiting the outcome of an external investigation. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms D’Ath confirmed the external investigation was in its final stages, and had involved interviews with medical staff.

“We always take concerns from doctors seriously, which is why Dr Jim Sweeney was engaged to conduct a review into Caboolture Hospital in 2021,” Ms D’Ath said.

“The Sweeney Review, which found no evidence of failures by individual surgeons or incidents of them operating outside their training, made 19 recommendations which are all being implemented.

“We await the outcome of the current external investigation.”