Editorial: Latest proof health portfolio is a poisoned chalice

While many of their problems may be inherited, Tim Nicholls and his director-general need to come to grips with the beast, and quickly, writes the editor.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls faces the media on Wednesday.

There is a reason the health ministry is known as the poisoned chalice of government.

Certainly Y’vette D’Ath knows why. During her three years in the job, she was battered by a raft of crises – in particular ramping, but also the ill-considered plan to put mothers going through miscarriages in the same ward as newborns – until she was replaced by Shannon Fentiman.

Ms Fentiman brought new energy and a commitment to accountability to the role, and wasn’t afraid to front the media and own up when Queensland Health stuffed up.

Unfortunately the mea culpas became a regular feature, and she lost a substantial amount of political bark ahead of her leadership showdown with Steven Miles.

Tim Nicholls would have known what he was getting in for, but the resurrection of the maternity reorganisation that blighted Ms D’Ath has given him a taste of what lies ahead unless he can get his office and the department on the same page.

The Courier-Mail’s health reporter Jackie Sinnerton revealed on November 20, 2021, that women who have suffered stillbirth, miscarriage or termination were being forced to share the same wards as new mums and babies at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

The morning the story appeared in the newspaper Ms D’Ath acted.

“I share stakeholder concerns about its location (the Inpatient Gynaecology Unit) and as such, Metro North has withdrawn the proposal to permanently co-locate Gynaecology and Maternity, and is actively pursuing alternative options with stakeholders,” she said. Except that didn’t happen, with the Sunday Mail revealing almost a year later that the practice had continued at RBWH.

An investigation revealed a mother who had lost a baby was forced to beg for earplugs to drown out the sounds of healthy newborns in the shared ward.

The investigation also found the practice occurring in other hospitals.

When asked at the time if Ms D’Ath was aware of the ongoing co-location practice, a spokesman said: “The minister has been clear this is not an acceptable situation.”

Of course, it wasn’t. It wasn’t acceptable then, and it isn’t acceptable now.

On Tuesday, Mr Nicholls axed a plan to “reorganise” maternity at the RBWH – essentially the same arrangement that had dogged Ms D’Ath – just hours after he learnt of the plan via a phone call from The Courier-Mail.

Yesterday, he came out on the front foot and slammed the previous government and Ms Fentiman for authorising the proposal last October – while in caretaker mode.

He produced a briefing note that he said proved Ms Fentiman was aware of the plan and had approved it. If that is in fact the case it is gobsmacking.

Mr Nicholls also confirmed his director-general David Rosengren was not aware of the proposal until Tuesday.

Queensland Health is a behemoth. It employs more than 130,000 people, has an annual operating budget of almost $30bn and manages almost 14,000 beds in 16 hospitals.

While many of their problems may be inherited, Mr Nicholls and Mr Rosengren need to come to grips with the beast, and quickly.

DO YOUR TALKING ON PITCH

Following Sam Kerr’s not guilty verdict in Matilda captain Sam Kerr’s racial harassment case in London, The Courier-Mail hit the streets of Brisbane to ask ordinary Queenslanders what they thought.

“I’m happy it’s a not-guilty verdict,” said one man, summing up the thoughts of most people we spoke to. “Honestly, I think people say dumb stuff all the time when they’re drunk.”

And that was the general view. While many people were appalled by the words a clearly drunk Kerr had used to the London bobby who was just doing his job after the star striker’s altercation with a taxi driver, they were also bemused that such an incident had made it all the way to court for a full trial in front of a jury.

But while Kerr may have been relieved at the verdict, the fact is that no punishment the court could have handed down could have been worse than the humiliation she has suffered since the January 2023 incident.

Video of the police interview played in court only compounded her embarrassment.

What the incident means in terms of Kerr’s legacy remains to be seen. She rocketed into the wider public’s consciousness during the 2023 World Cup in Australia, with her goal against England in Brisbane a highlight.

She needs to get back on the pitch and concentrate on scoring goals. The fans have shown they are willing to move on from her indiscretion.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Latest proof health portfolio is a poisoned chalice