Mackay health service says it has solved maternity and gynecology problems

One October afternoon three years ago, patient advocate Beryl Crosby picked up the phone to call the head of a public health service more than 600 kilometers away.

It was a conversation that led spectacularly to the collapse of Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS), including the sacking of its board and revelations that “inadequate care” contributed to the deaths of three babies.

“A whistleblower from Mackay Base Hospital called me and raised some really serious allegations that patient safety was at risk,” Ms Crosby said.

“There had been issues within the hospital… but then it didn’t seem to go any further.”

Days after her call to Lisa Davies Jones, the then-chief executive of the MHHS commissioned an independent investigation into its obstetrics and gynecology surgical services.

‘I used to cry with patients on the phone’

During the investigation, which lasted almost a year, more than 170 women came forward and 81 were interviewed for the review.

Among its findings, the independent panel concluded that poor clinical care at Mackay Base Hospital contributed to the deaths of three babies and that several women had suffered “lifelong physical and mental harm”.

Following the findings, the state health minister fired the MHHS board.

For Crosby, an advocate for nearly 20 years since she created a group for patients of disgraced surgeon Jayant Patel, supporting women through that “long, drawn-out process” was at times “emotional” and “traumatic.”

“I used to cry with patients on the phone,” she said.

“Sometimes I was the first person they talked to about the trauma they had been through.

“There was a huge relief when something was finally done and we were able to give them answers.”

Cost explosions and ‘sustained change’

The investigation has cost the MHHS $8.12 million over three years, excluding compensation payments to the women through the Queensland Government Insurance Fund, according to the service’s annual reports.

The rising cost of the research resulted in the health service receiving a $5 million top-up from Queensland Health in 2022-23.

The health service’s current chief executive, Susan Gannon, who was hired after the investigation’s results became known, said the review had a “significant financial impact.”

“These costs were necessary to appoint people with the best credentials to carry out independent research, increase specialist staff and support women with psychological support and clinical care,” Ms Gannon said.

What has changed for the women of Mackay?

The MHHS, which serves about 180,000 residents of tropical north Queensland, has between 1,500 and 1,600 births each year.

Gannon said the review had resulted in “significant and sustained change.”

She said the culture and collaboration in the Women’s Health Unit had improved and there was more training to support patients.

Gannon said in some cases the hospital’s performance was consistent with or better than similar services on some clinical measures, including higher rates of continuity of care and less induced labor.

The hospital has since filled its seven obstetrics and gynecology positions and regained its RANZCOG training accreditation.

The accreditation allowed the hospital to train doctors in obstetrics and gynecology and was lost before the review.

Of the researchers’ 122 recommendations, 116 have been fulfilled, two are ongoing and the remaining four are linked to the expansion of the hospital, which will be completed in 2026.

Ongoing conversations with affected patients

Former Mackay Base Hospital patient Melissa Ferrier, whose injury was flagged by investigators, is part of a working group set up to oversee the implementation of the review’s recommendations.

Ms Ferrier had her bladder cut during a hysterectomy in 2021 and subsequent surgery to repair it resulted in ongoing continence problems.

The investigation found her wound was among 21 hollow viscera injuries during obstetric and gynecological surgery at Mackay Base Hospital (MBH) in one year.

“The expected incidence for a hospital the size of MBH would be zero to one per year,” the investigation concluded.

Ferrier joined a work group that she said allowed her to support others.

“From the first surgery I was angry, but I knew I couldn’t change the outcome in any way,” she said.

“Now, what can I do to fix it and make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else?”

He said that in a meeting with Gannon in December, the group would raise issues such as informed consent about medical procedures.

She said there is “still a long way to go” for women to trust the health service.

“We are working behind the scenes now with Queensland Health and Mackay Hospital and Health Service, to help future generations.

“But we’re not going anywhere, we’re not going to stay silent about it.”

Undisclosed compensation numbers

The women have received compensation through Mackay’s HHS or through a personal injury claim in court.

The health service has refused to reveal how many women have received compensation through either route.

However, the review found 26 cases did not meet expected standards of care and were eligible for compensation through the Queensland Government Insurance Fund (QGIF).

Ferrier said that in her case, although auditors acknowledged her injury was the result of “substandard” care, she was not deemed eligible for compensation.

Beryl Crosby said the compensation process had not gone far enough.

To receive a payment, women had to apply to a panel, which would review their case, but not all passed this threshold, she said.

“For some they probably did, but for others, I know they never will and that’s hard.”