LNP calls to sack Health Minister for ignoring ‘alarm bells’ at Mackay

Demanding the sacking of Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, the LNP said she had failed to act when the “first alarm bells started ringing” at Mackay Base Hospital.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: Annette Dew

The Queensland government is under renewed pressure to justify why action wasn’t taken sooner against a troubled regional hospital cited over the death of three babies, when it was stripped of accreditation to train doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology a year ago.

The Mackay Base Hospital was also at the centre of fresh allegations on Sunday that a surgeon had been allowed to go on operating, despite years of complaints about the treatment of patients, poor hygiene and erratic behaviour, culminating in his suspension last month over an accusation he had blown his nose on a sterile drape while operating.

Demanding the sacking of Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, the Liberal National Party said she had failed to act when the “first alarm bells started ringing”.

“Three babies died and numerous women suffered life-altering complications from surgeries and the minister sat on her hands,” opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates said. “Because of the Health Minister’s inaction, patients may have been harmed. The Premier has no choice but to sack Yvette D’Ath.”

Ms D’Ath’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

But she apologised unreservedly last Friday after releasing the findings of an investigation into “substandard clinical care” by the hospital’s maternity service. This had contributed to the death of three babies over a decade, as well as “longlasting physical and psychological harm” to many women patients.

Separately, The Sunday Mail in Queensland, a stablemate of The Australian, reported that cancer patient Robert Gaffy had been “abandoned” by Mackay Base Hospital on the day he was to see the suspended surgeon, urologist Daryl Stephens, for an emergency consultation.

Mr Gaffy, 57, said no alternative appointment was arranged after Dr Stephens was stood down and repeated approaches to the hospital went unanswered, leaving him “alone with an impending death sentence”.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates and Opposition David Crisafulli. Picture: Liam Kidston

State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said Ms D’Ath had lost control of the portfolio given she had been aware of the allegations against Dr Stephens since last year and “didn’t do a thing about it”.

Having been suspended by Mackay Base Hospital last month on September 13 over the alleged nose-blowing incident, Dr Stephens continued to perform surgery at nearby Mackay Mater Private Hospital. A patient he operated on on September 21 suffered critical post-surgical complications, The Sunday Mail reported.

Ms Bates said there was ample warning of problems at Mackay Base Hospital when the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists pulled its training mandate in October last year, soon after the investigation into maternity care was ordered.

“How many patients were harmed while the Health Minister did nothing?” Ms Bates said.

“It took the government months to act.”