Widespread praise for doctor’s ‘courageous’ actions

THERE has been widespread support for a senior Royal Hobart Hospital doctor after his spectacular outburst at the Health Minister. EDITORIAL: LET’S JUST FIX OUR HOSPITALS

Dr Frank O’Keeffe, right, at the press conference he gatecrashed on Monday. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

THE College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has fiercely defended its senior doctor after his spectacular outburst at Health Minister Michael Ferguson on Monday.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Professor Steve Robson said yesterday Dr Frank O’Keeffe’s actions were “very courageous”.

On Monday Dr O’Keeffe, a gynaecologist and 17-year Royal Hobart Hospital employee, gatecrashed a press conference being held by Mr Ferguson where he compared the state’s health system to a broken down car.

‘I’M NOT ANGRY ... I RESPECT HIS CONCERNS’

Dr O’Keeffe wasn’t speaking to the media on Tuesday but Prof Robson said he was happy to speak for him.

EDITORIAL: LET’S JUST FIX OUR HOSPITALS

Doctor Frank O’Keeffe is a gynaecologist who has worked at the Royal Hobart Hospital for 17 years. Picture: SUPPLIED

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Professor Steve Robson.

He said he spoke with Dr O’Keeffe to say he was proud of his actions and give him a “big pat on the back”.

“He’s given so much for women’s health in Tasmania,” Prof Robson told the Mercury.

“It takes a lot of courage to speak up.”

When asked if the outburst was prompted by the Minister failing to listen to health workers, Prof Robson said “he is listening today”.

He said Dr O’Keeffe’s comments were valid and if the State Government or Department of Health and Human Services had an issue with what happened they could come at him.

“I’m not afraid of them,” he said. “Women’s health does not have the State Government’s priority.”

On top of Dr O’Keeffe’s concerns about not having enough beds for major surgery cases, Prof Robson said there were not enough operation spots available to train future specialists.

He said this further restricted women’s access to surgery in Hobart because there were not enough trained surgeons.

“It’s all about making care available to Tasmanians,” he said. “It’s a pity it came to this (but) we’re keen to help and work with the Government.”

Tasmanian independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie also weighed in and praised Dr O’Keeffe for speaking out.

“Good on Dr O’Keeffe for telling Michael Ferguson exactly what he needs to hear,” he said.

“It’s beyond time the Minister stops claiming that all is well at the Royal Hobart Hospital when the reality is it’s chronically under-resourced and too few beds are available.”

Mr Ferguson said he spoke with Dr O’Keeffe on Monday night and discussed his concerns. The Minister also reassured Parliament on Tuesday morning that the doctor’s job was safe.

“Any claim that Dr O’Keeffe has been told by anyone in my office not to speak in public is wrong,” he said.

Retired Hobart anaesthetist Dr Michael Hodgson urged both parties to co-operate and said nurses, doctors and health workers were doing their best in difficult circumstances.

“The current rebuild of the Royal Hobart hospital is creating significant problems for the safe delivery of healthcare to all Tasmanians,” he said.

“Couldn’t, for once in their life, the Government and the Opposition unite to achieve this rebuild safely, quickly and at the least possible cost.”