Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm calls for Yvette D’Ath, Julieanne Gilbert resignations

Amanda Camm says the health minister’s delay to front up in Mackay for a report into alleged substandard obstetrics and gynaecology care showed regional Queenslanders were treated as ‘second-class citizens’.

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm has called for the resignation of Health Minister Yvette D’Ath and Assistant Health Minister Julieanne Gilbert to resign ahead of a potentially damning report into obstetrics and gynaecology care at Mackay Base Hospital.

Minister D’Ath was due to fly into Mackay on Wednesday to publicly release the findings of the independent investigation into complaints at the hospital, but the appearance was delayed and she will now likely arrive on Friday.

Speaking outside Mackay Hospital on Wednesday, Ms Camm said the delay showed the Minister viewed regional Queenslanders as “second class citizens”.

“This is an absolute kick in the guts to every woman across our community,” she said.

“The fact the Minister did not get on a plane and is not standing here today, is more than disappointing.

“But I give this commitment to the women of Mackay, I am standing here, I will continue to stand here and stand up for them and stand up for those who have had enormous and horrific injuries.”

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm at Mackay Base Hospital on September 28, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

Ms Camm also said Mackay MP and Assistant Health Minister Ms Gilbert had failed the women of Mackay.

“As for the member of Mackay, her silence is deafening,” she said.

“Where is she representing the interests of Mackay women?

“She is not standing here today, she is not coming forward crying out for this report to be released.”

The investigation into the Mackay Hospital obstetrics and gynaecology department was triggered after multiple women lodged complaints.

Women suffered bladder, ureter and uterine injuries during C-sections and gynaecological surgery.

The report was handed to the government on September 8.

Ms Camm said multiple women had come forward to her office with horror stories of their own, including women whose children’s lives were allegedly put at significant risk.

Ms Camm has called on Minister D’Ath to resign and added Ms Gilbert should resign as well.

“It is farcical to think that she (Ms Gilbert) has taken her position seriously based on what has occurred at this hospital,” she said.

Ms Camm said Queensland’s health service should no longer be considered “world-class”.

“We have women and men more recently who have been butchered,” she claimed.

“That is not a world class health system.”

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert. Picture: Duncan Evans

Ms Gilbert defended the health service as “high quality” and said Ms Camm was “playing politics” with people’s health.

“People have raised issues, which have been investigated, so that we can ensure the healthcare that is delivered is appropriate,” she said.

“I get a lot of messages from people telling me how happy they are with the service they get at Mackay HHS.

“There have clearly been some issues identified by patients and that is why Mackay HHS has commissioned the report.”

Ms Gilbert said the Health Minister would present the “very thorough report” in Mackay on Friday.

“We have a health service that is delivering a high quality health service to the people of Mackay,” she said.

“We want to ensure there are no people within that system who are not delivering that service and that is what this report is about.”