Next generation of obstetricians to be trained at Rockhampton Hospital

Rockhampton will become a training ground for the next generation of obstetricians and gynaecologists. One doctor says it’s just the beginning.

Rockhampton Hospital.

Rockhampton will become a training ground for the next generation of obstetricians and gynaecologists after meeting strict criteria to have a training program extended.

Rockhampton Hospital was awarded a five-year extension on their current accreditation to train obstetricians and gynaecologists by the The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The news has been labelled a “sign of confidence” for Central Queensland’s maternity services, with the hospital meeting “strict” training, supervision and support criteria to be granted the accreditation.

It’s welcome news after what has been a “challenging” 18 months for Central Queensland’s maternity services.

In June last year, Gladstone’s maternity unit came back online with full services after more than 300 days on bypass and just days after new data released by the Productivity Commission revealed Queensland has the highest number of ­perinatal deaths per 1000 births of all the states and territories.

Dr Preeti Patil, Obstetrician and Gynecologist clinical director at Rockhampton Hospital.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist and clinical director at Rockhampton Hospital Dr Preeti Patil said it was great to see their work being recognised with the extension being awarded.

She said there were “separate” pathways in the training which included the college allocating specialist candidates on a rotation and also the rural generalists the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) staff train.

“We’ve had a difficult journey in the last 18 months … considering where we were about a year ago and where we are today, and there’s has been a contribution from everyone from the hierarchy right down to a junior doctor and the department of health,” she said.

“It’s important that it (the work) has been recognised and it’s important the state and community know that we are a safe place, we have a lot of budding specialists and rural generalists who will flourish well in this unit, and they have a great environment where we can foster and nurture their learning and development.”

Keppel MP and Assistant Health Minister Brittany Lauga.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga, speaking in her role as assistant health minister, said the extended accreditation would help bolster Central Queensland’s health services and allow local doctors to expand their skills, including those in Gladstone and Biloela.

“They have nine-and-a-half positions filled here now and those specialists will, not only, provide services but train in additional specialties, too,” she said.

Dr Alex Dunn

Rural Doctors Association of Queensland president Dr Alex Dunn congratulated the hospital on having its accreditation extended.

He said Rockhampton Hospital was a “critical” maternity site of Central Queensland, including for women who travel from surrounding rural and remote areas for maternity care and birthing.

“As rural doctors, we believe maternity care should and can be delivered safely to women and their families as close to home as possible by a collaborative, multidisciplinary team with a strong governance structure,” he said.

“Accessing maternity care remains a challenge for many rural women.

“It a key focus of RDAQ and, having an accredited training site in a regional area like Rockhampton, will provide prospective rural and regional obstetricians and GP obstetricians with excellent training.”

Dr Patil said while the accreditation extension was a great “first step”, there was still work to do to meet the demand in Central Queensland.

“With the validation comes the promise from our side that we will continue and maintain the accreditation as we are and just keep growing from where we have started,” she said.

“There’s quite a lot of specialised areas and people have to travel to Brisbane or to other hospitals to actually access the specialised care, there’s a few of them we can actually achieve here and that would be our next goal.

“But it’s one step at a time, we have just about stabilised the unit and we’ve shown we’re doing a great job but the next steps will be to grow from there and bring in some specialised services to Central Queensland.”

Australian Medical Association Queensland was also contacted for comment.