A tour of Mackay Base Hospital has exposed three major concerns following shocking allegations of botched surgeries, Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates has found.

 

Ms Bates toured the hospital as part of a fact-finding mission and met with the executive team of Mackay Hospital and Health Services.

 

Ms Bates found:

  • Victims could be eligible for compensation as part of the hospital review unlike Caboolture Hospital where it was not considered.
  • A shortage of midwives could be compromising the safety of pregnant women and their newborns.
  • Cultural issues are hampering the hospital’s ability to adequately manage the maternity and gynaecological wards at the hospital.

Ms Bates said it made sense that victims would be eligible for compensation as part of the review.

 

“There are issues that have been identified at the hospital that may lead to compensation for victims,” she said.

 

“The Caboolture Hospital inquiry didn’t consider compensation, instead victims were left with nothing.

 

“All victims deserve justice, and we won’t stop fighting for them.”

 

Ms Bates said she sought guarantees at the meeting that the concerns and allegations raised by patients and whistleblowers would be taken seriously.

 

“The people I met are genuine about getting to the bottom of the issues at the hospital,” she said.

 

“But given this report will have to cross the Health Minister’s desk before it’s released, I want assurances that it will be a thorough and genuine report.”

 

Ms Bates said the LNP has solutions on the table for the State Government to adopt including, real-time data monitoring, better resources for triaging and more funding for the frontline.

 

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how stressful it can be for our dedicated frontline staff who are overworked and under-resourced,” she said.

 

“This State Government has had seven years to fix the Queensland Health Crisis but it’s only getting worse.

 

“Whistleblowers who’ve worked in the health system for decades are now coming forward.

 

“It’s through these stories that we can help patients, nurses, paramedics, doctors and surgeons.”