‘Urgent’ changes demanded after tragic case reveals state’s shocking shortcomings

Revelations that a woman was left sitting in her own blood next to her miscarried baby in a hospital waiting room has shocked the state and forced a troubling admission.

• Baby in bag: Woman left traumatised
• Editorial: Qld’s sick health system

Queensland hospitals have no best practice guidelines for caring for women who have miscarried their babies it has emerged, following disturbing revelations of a woman’s treatment at Ipswich Hospital.

Nikkole Southwell. Picture: David Clark

Nikkole Southwell said she was left traumatised after being forced to sit with her miscarried baby in a biohazard bag in the waiting room of the hospital while wrapped in sheets and sitting in her own blood.

The incident has shocked new Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, who described the case as “absolutely heartbreaking and it’s unacceptable”.

After being informed of Ms Southwell’s incident, Ms Fentiman said she was also told by authorities there is currently no statewide best practice model of care to deal with women who are miscarrying when they present to hospital.

The Health Minister said on Wednesday morning she has “urgently” instructed the department to amend this.

“That’s not good enough,” Ms Fentiman said.

“I have asked Queensland Health to urgently work with frontline staff to put together best practice guidelines and models of care for women who miscarry.

“Women right across Queensland deserve to be treated with compassion and a trauma-informed way when they present to our hospitals.

“To Nikki, my heartfelt condolences, but also my heartfelt apology – clearly, treatment that you received at the Ipswich Hospital is not compassionate and not trauma-informed.”

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.

Earlier in the morning, West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch fronted media and said “we are truly sorry to hear of Nikkole’s experience with our service here at Ipswich Hospital”.

“It is taken very seriously and we offer our apologies for the experience that Nikkole has had within our service,” she told reporters.

“Compassionate care is something that we strive to achieve, and to hear on this occasion that has not been Ms Southwell’s experience is very upsetting for us and we will be working hard to ensure that that’s not an experience that is repeated.

“A miscarriage is a very traumatic time for any woman and her family.

“One of our values as an organisation is to connect with our patients, and I’m really sorry that hasn’t happened on this occasion.”

An internal review will be conducted at Ipswich Hospital after the shocking allegations were made. Picture: David Clark

Ms Bloch said the hospital would be conducting an internal review led by senior clinicians that was expected to take 30 days.

She said the hospital would be speaking to the staff involved in Ms Southwell’s case, comparing their response to clinical standards and guidelines, and also looking more broadly at any similar cases across the care provider.

“I think importantly in this one, it’s about the compassionate care that was provided, looking at ways we can continue to improve our service for women accessing during a traumatic experience,” she said.

Ms Bloch said the hospital and health service hoped Ms Southwell would participate in the review.

Originally published as ‘Urgent’ changes demanded after tragic case reveals state’s shocking shortcomings