Yvette D‘Ath addresses Mackay Hospital health crisis at Question Time

The death of Glenella grandmother Barbara Kelly is among three cases community leaders says indicate the need for a wider review of patient care.

The embattled Mackay Base Hospital became the focus of a gruelling Question Time but the State Government deflected from allegations of further poor patient treatment in the past.

The Opposition highlighted three specific cases outside the current review into the hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department, questioning if the scope needs to be broadened into the wider Mackay Hospital and Health Service operations.

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm raised the death of Glenella woman Barbara Kelly in 2019, and another patient’s death in the ICU in the same year.

A coroner found inadvertent “human error” from a MBH professional was likely behind Ms Kelly’s death during a routine operation.

The grandmother had been scheduled for shoulder surgery on September 6, 2019, when she was administered between eight and 16 times the recommended dose of metarminol while undergoing anaesthesia. She died two days later.

Her death, as well a third patient who had a stent inserted in the wrong kidney and suffered septic shock two days later, was also highlighted in parliament.

“Does this prove the Mackay health crisis is far deeper than the Minister Health is admitting?” Ms Camm told the chamber.

Mackay locals shared their stories about Mackay Base Hospital after a review was launched into the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department. Picture: Steph Allen

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath in reply said she recognised the severity of the complaints Mackay Base Hospital patients issued, and encouraged information to be referred to her office.

“If these issues only came to light after the review, if (LNP) have held onto these matters, knowing at the time … the terms of reference were being developed, it would be very irresponsible of them,” she said.

“It’s important to get these reviews right and have transparency around these matters.

“I will not be lectured to by the LNP.”

In relation to compensation for patients, Ms D’Ath said there were “sometimes claims for compensation given for a range of reasons including complications in patient services and surgeries”.

Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: Tony Martin

But she hit out at whistleblowers, telling the chamber there was a “process” that should be taken and “proper channels” used to raise concerns.

“The allegations of the Opposition, the inferences they make … without knowing whether it’s been clinically reviewed … is really reckless and irresponsible,” she said.

“They don’t write to me to ask whether the death was reviewed by the ombudsman.

“There is a proper process that every single member of parliament is required to follow when someone comes forward that is a whistleblower.”

Mackay locals shared their stories about Mackay Base Hospital after a review was launched into the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department. Picture: Steph Allen

Ms D’Ath said in 2013, under LNP Premier Campbell Newman, the number of unexpected deaths at Rockhampton Hospital was “remarkably higher than any other regional hospital”.

“Every death is a tragedy in our health system. Some are expected, some are unexpected. There are protocols to refer to the coroner for consideration,” she said.

MHHS chief executive Lisa Davies Jones confirmed all required investigations had been undertaken into the three cases Ms Camm raised in parliament.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment further on any individual patient experiences,” she said.

“I would like to reassure the community that they are in safe and caring hands when they visit any of our healthcare facilities, and I thank staff for their commitment to our community.

“The unexpected loss of life is always a tragedy and I’d like to express my deepest sympathy to family members and loved ones on behalf of the hospital and health service.

“When there is an unexpected death, we offer our support to family members, as well as to our staff, who are also affected by this loss.

“Any unexpected death in a healthcare facility is always fully investigated internally and externally by the Queensland Police Service and the Coroner.

“Mackay HHS also has internal processes for investigating any unexpected deaths or adverse patient outcomes.

“This process includes open and transparent communication with patients and or family members as we work to understand what has occurred, and to learn from that experience.

The number for the Mackay Base Hospital patient feedback line is 07 4885 6244.