New board for Mackay Base Hospital to “reform” its past mistakes

A new board has been appointed at Mackay after the previous was sacked by the then health minister following a damning report.

Minister Fentiman announced the appointment of a six-member new board for the Mackay Base Hospital that would “reform” the obstetrics and gynaecology departments. Picture: Liam Kidston

A North Queensland Hospital has appointed a new six-member board nearly a year after a damning report on Mackay’s obstetrics and gynaecology departments led to the resignation of the CEO and sacking of the board.

Minister Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said the new members would implement “reforms” and “cultural change” within Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

The new board members were announced two months after the appointment of chief executive officer Susan Gannon in June and include Helen Darch OAM (Chair), Kerry Maley (Deputy Chair), Dr Maureen Chapman, Associate Professor Dr Luke Lawton, Dr Peter O’Mara and William Cooper.

“I’m pleased Mackay HHS has been able to attract such experienced, knowledgeable and well-respected people to the Board and I know they will make a positive impact,” Minister Fentiman said.

The Hon. Shannon Fentiman MP said the new board members should bring “cultural change” to the MHHS. Picture; Liam Kidston

The scandal that led to the hospital losing its accreditation to train doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology, started when the findings of an independent inquiry into the department were presented to Mackay Hospital and Health Service’s former chief executive Lisa Davies Jones.

Some findings presented in September 2022, found women had suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of their treatment, often linked to traumatic births.

During that period, Ms Jones had resigned her position and the board had been sacked by then Health Minsiter Yvette D’Ath, with Mackay HHS administrator Karen Roach appointed in November 2022 to oversee the governance of the hospital.

Minister Fentiman said Ms Roach had played an “instrumental role” ensuring appropriate leadership was in place for the Mackay HHS during that period.

In a previous interview for this publication, Ms Roach said new leadership would need to understand and acknowledge the community’s “grieving” following the various scandals.

Minister Fentiman said the new board and CEO would prioritise implementing “reforms stemming from the Mackay HHS’ obstetrics and gynaecology review”.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service board administrator Karen Roach welcomed new chief executive Susan Gannon at Mackay Base Hospital on June 14, 2023. Photo: Zoe Devenport

WHO ARE THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS

HELEN DARCH has more than 13 years of Board experience, including with Metro South HHS as well as is currently Managing Director of Queensland-based consultancy Nedhurst Consulting.

KERRY MALLEY is the current Acting Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health with Mackay HHS and is a qualified Advanced Social Worker with over 25 years’ experience in community service delivery.

DR MAUREEN CHAPMAN is the current Acting Academic Head of Nursing and Midwifery at James Cook University.

DR LUKE LAWTON is the current Committee Member on Townsville HHS Board‘s Audit and Risk Committee and was formerly Director of Emergency Medicine at Townsville HHS. He has experience serving as an independent expert witness providing opinions to state coroners’ courts, top tier national health panel defence firms, Crown law, and major plaintiff firms.

DR PETER O’MARA is a General Practitioner specialising in Indigenous health. He is the past President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association.

WILLIAM COOPER is a recent acting Magistrate with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General from November 2021 to December 2022. Named Mackay Citizen of the Year in 2005, he has strong legal, finance and board experience across a range of Mackay based organisations and community groups.