‘Disgraceful’ offer of compo while Mackay Hospital probe kept secret

Mums who had traumatic births at an under-siege Queensland hospital are being offered compensation deals as the public is kept in the dark over what has gone wrong.

Women involved in harrowing incidents in the obstetric and gynaecology department at Mackay Base Hospital are being offered compensation deals as the public is kept in the dark over what has gone wrong at the hospital.

The findings of an independent inquiry into the department were presented earlier this month to Mackay Hospital and Health Service’s former chief executive Lisa Davies Jones.

Those findings have not been released.

A leading law firm has revealed it is hearing from women who have suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of their treatment and the hospital had been inviting them to participate in a pathway to compensation that had a September 30 deadline.

Special counsel Wendy Nixon from Shine Lawyers is warning patients not to rush into accepting any money offered but to seek legal advice in case they could secure better deals through the courts.

“Traumatic births and associated injuries can have lifelong impacts on both mothers and children so it’s vital they obtain the justice they deserve,” she said.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service’s former chief executive Lisa Davies Jones.

Women have suffered bladder, ureter and uterine injuries during C-sections and gynaecological surgery

The conditions will be in place until either the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal sets them aside or the Health Ombudsman removes them.

The hospital lost its accreditation to train doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates told The Courier-Mail she feared that these health victims would be urged to sign non-disclosure agreements with compensation deals before the independent inquiry into obstetrics and gynaecology at the hospital is released.

“It is utterly disgraceful,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk government refused to listen to the Opposition about what was happening at Mackay Hospital and we really hope this is not a move to cover it up.

“How can mothers have faith the government is looking after them?”

Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Clinical Associate Professor Greg Duncombe and Professor Edward Weaver were commissioned to lead the investigation, which began in November 2021, into the women’s claims.

Interim chief executive at Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Paula Foley, who took over the role following the resignation of Ms Jones in August, said that at the start of the independent investigation into obstetrics and gynaecology services, the Mackay HHS moved quickly to establish a consumer case management pathway in November 2021.

“This was separate to the investigation because the health service wanted to provide women with a timely way to have their care reviewed by an external committee of four gynaecologists/obstetricians and a midwife,” she said.

“The process includes a full review of medical records, the opportunity for women to discuss their experience, the clinical care they have received and to have further care if needed.”

Originally published as ‘Disgraceful’ offer of compo while Mackay Hospital probe kept secret