Serious claims come to light from Mackay Hospital obstetric unit

Mackay Base Hospital needs to be more transparent with the public over distressing cases at its obstetric unit, a lawyer warns.

Lawyers have confirmed they are handling the case of a woman who lost her baby and another with a badly injured baby, both patients at Mackay Base Hospital’s obstetric and gynaecology unit.

The news of the distressing cases comes as the state opposition continues to push for the release of the findings of the inquiry into the hospital department.

“I am working with a mother who lost her child and a colleague is liaising with another who now has a badly injured baby,” special counsel Sarah Vallance told The Courier-Mail.

“These are serious issues and I worry they are only the tip of the iceberg.

“My understanding is that a clinical review committee from the hospital started approaching women involved in complaints in August.

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

“Some were advised that they could opt-in to a pathway to compensation, which is open until September 30. No dollar figures were mentioned.

“I believe the hospital has been good at approaching women involved but I feel that there needs to be transparency with the public.”

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.

On September 8, Mackay HHS confirmed it had received the final report into the department stating it would “consider the report before releasing any outcomes and actions”.

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

Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: Liam Kidston

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

Clinical Associate Professor Greg Duncombe and Professor Edward Weaver were commissioned to lead the investigation, which started on November 1 last year. Both are independent of Mackay HHS.

Mackay HHS interim chief executive Paula Foley told The Courier-Mail on Thursday that they were finalising its response to the independent investigation into obstetrics and gynaecology care.

“Once this work is completed, the actions and outcomes of the investigation will be shared with the community,” she said.

“It is anticipated this will be finalised shortly.”

Referring to the findings delay, Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates said: “How can mothers have faith the government is looking after them?”

Originally published as Serious claims come to light from Mackay Hospital obstetric unit