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Hundreds wait for elective surgery in Mackay amid investigation

On-site specialist care is travelling 700km to Mackay as hundreds wait for elective surgery amid a controversial doctor’s suspension.

Doctor explains why pants fell down during surgery

The suspension of a controversial North Queensland specialist continues as hundreds of patients wait for elective surgery, with on-site urology care having to travel 700km.

Dr Daryl Stephens was suspended last month over hygiene concerns, while the urologist is also being investigated after an alleged surgical mishap left a man critically ill.

A Sunday Mail investigation revealed the surgeon had been allowed to continue practising in Queensland for six years despite a growing number of complaints relating to the treatment of patients and hygiene lapses.

In 2018, medical authorities ruled the surgeon had engaged in professional misconduct at the most serious level and displayed incompetence in Western Australia over his bungled treatment of a cancer patient.

But he was permitted to continue practising in North Queensland because of a critical shortage of specialists, with the Medical Board of Australia saying he provided “the only public urology services within a 400km radius” of Mackay.

Dr Daryl Stephens is currently suspended amid an ongoing investigation. Picture: Tara Croser
Dr Daryl Stephens is currently suspended amid an ongoing investigation. Picture: Tara Croser

As of Thursday, there were 252 patients awaiting elective urology surgery in the Mackay region, but a Queensland Health spokeswoman insisted “health services across the world are experiencing workforce shortages”.

“Urology services are continuing to be provided at Mackay Base Hospital with support from public and private partners,” she said.

“This includes emergency care.

“Cairns HHS is providing on-site urology support services to Mackay, in addition to telehealth services due to commence shortly.”

A recruitment ad by Omega Medical, seen by The Sunday Mail, has been targeting health professionals to fill urgent “urological surgery roles” at Mackay Base Hospital.

“I am working on a new role that may match your requirements and I wanted to see if the below role(s) would suit you,” the alert read.

The job alert said the role needed to be filled “ASAP” to October 23 as well as February 28, with a $2000-a-day pay packet including travel, car and accommodation.

Omega Medical also offers $1000 if one is able to refer a doctor for the position who would follow through and pick up the role.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/hundreds-wait-for-elective-surgery-in-mackay-amid-investigation/news-story/380238144ce0999cf87f5e99534fdb1d