Investigation launched into Mackay Hospital and Health Service by Queensland Health

An investigation has been launched into Mackay’s public hospital after staff raised concerns around recruitment and senior medical officers working out of scope.

Susan Gannon was appointed chief executive of Mackay Hospital and Health Service after a scandal plagued its maternity ward. Photo: Zoe Devenport

An investigation has been launched following fears Mackay’s public hospital had senior medical officers performing roles they were not credentialed for.

Queensland Health director general Dr David Rosengren has commissioned an investigation into the Mackay Hospital and Health Service, covering January 2023 to December 2024.

The investigation will determine whether the hospital “complied with processes and practices relating to senior medical officer recruitment and selection, their credentialing and the scope of practice” according to Queensland Health.

It will also investigate what improvements need to be made — including making sure senior medical officers “have been properly credentialed to practice within the bounds of their role, education, training, experience and competence”.

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls. Picture: Brendan Radke

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said concerns had been raised about senior medical officer recruitment, credentials, clinical scope of practice and requirements for supervision.

“It is essential Queensland Health addresses these concerns thoroughly, which is why a Part 9 has been commissioned,” Minister Nicholls said.

“I’m confident Queensland Health has rigorous senior medical officer recruitment and credentialing requirements, so I fully support this investigative work to ensure they are being met.”

He said clinical reviews “to date” had found no patients had been harmed.

The terms of reference note the review will examine whether MHHS complied with recruitment, selection policies, and whether any noncompliance may have had any real or potential ability to affect the safety of patient services.

Queensland Health Director-General Dr David Rosengren said the investigation follows concerns raised by doctors in Mackay around uncertainty of clinical scope and requirements for supervision for non-specialist senior medical staff.

“The investigation will examine the policies and procedures currently in use to ensure they are operating effectively,” Dr Rosengren said.

“If there are shortfalls, it is critical we identify these and implement opportunities to improve so Queensland Health continues to provide world-class healthcare.”

Dr Rosengren said the investigation followed a clinical review Mackay HHS completed under Part 6 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act, examining the workload and scope of clinical practice of a senior medical officer.

“While the clinical review did not identify any specific adverse outcomes, it has identified risk associated with inadequate credentialing specificity around scope of clinical practice and supervision requirements for non-specialist senior medical officers,” he said.

“The investigation is the next step to examine processes across the entire HHS to determine if improvements can be made locally and where relevant, across the state.”

Mackay HHS Chief Executive Susan Gannon said Mackay HHS has taken important steps following the Part 6 clinical review to strengthen practices and processes.

This includes ensuring all senior surgical specialist staff and theatre managers understand the requirements for supervision of trainees, principal house officers and non-specialist senior medical officers.

“Mackay HHS has responded quickly to address concerns raised by staff and this is a demonstration of our development of a culture of safety,” Ms Gannon said.

“We will work collaboratively with investigators to further improve our processes and practices and I will continue to encourage staff to raise their concerns.”
It’s not the first scandal at the hospital, which found severe issues in its maternity ward over ten years, which led to the death of children.
More recently, the hospital’s heart cath lab had to close for more than a month to replace equipment with a 10-year date, forcing patients in emergencies to fly to Townsville.

The Mackay HHS referred all questions to Queensland Health, and multiple calls to Queensland Health went unanswered.

Originally published as Investigation launched into Mackay Hospital and Health Service by Queensland Health