Mackay Hospital clinicians could face criminal charges: minister

The Health Minister says clinicians embroiled in a scandal at a regional Queensland hospital could face criminal charges if investigations deem it warranted.

Clinicians embroiled in a shocking investigation into a department at Mackay Base Hospital could be charged with criminal offences if ongoing inquiries by the Health Ombudsman deem it applicable, Minister Yvette D’Ath has said.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Thursday left the door open to further action against five clinicians who had been let go or quit Mackay Base Hospital amid revelations a toxic workplace culture and systematic failures had led to botched surgery and inadequate care.

Investigators were tasked with looking at the hospital’s operations between July 2019 and October 2021, but found serious issues spanning back at least a decade. Including the deaths of three babies were linked to inadequate care.

Ms D’Ath confirmed a deadline for women to be briefed by authorities on further steps toward compensation had been moved from September 30 to October 31 at least.

“Obviously the formal systems we put up and we put in place will inevitably have an end date,” she said.

It was confirmed, when the report was released on September 30, that allegations against some clinicians at the hospital had been put to the Health Ombudsman.

Ms D’Ath said Mackay Hospital and Health Service did not deem allegations to have warranted criminal action, but the health ombudsman investigation could still uncover some.

She confirmed she would be attending a forum to speak with victims in Mackay on October 18.