Please attribute to Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Lisa Davies Jones
Mackay Hospital and Health Service has appointed two experienced and senior doctors to lead a review into obstetrics and gynaecology surgical services.
Professor Edward Weaver and Clinical Associate Professor Greg Duncombe have been commissioned to lead the review which will start in the first week of November.
Both are independent of Mackay HHS and extremely well credentialed in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.
The terms of reference for the review are still being determined and will be made available to the public on our website once they are finalised.
I have not set an end date for the review it’s important we take the time to do a thorough job.
I will also be seeking the appointment of a senior and experienced midwife external to Mackay HHS to be part of the review to provide advice on cases where there is an interface of midwifery and medical care.
We will also look to engage with an independent health consumer representative as part of this review.
We have received 58 contacts to the health service, including emails and phone calls. Women have provided a broad range of feedback and not all calls relate to obstetrics and gynaecology surgical services.
It’s important any woman is heard and supported.
It will be the job of the reviewers to look at this feedback and determine the next steps forward.
The phone line continues to be answered by a senior, experienced midwife.
We have arranged for another two senior and experienced midwives to be available to provide additional support as required to ensure the sustainability of the phone line.
In addition, Mackay HHS working with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) to ensure there is appropriate support and mentoring for doctors undergoing specialist training.
Our accreditation with RANZCOG to train registrars has been suspended and we are working to meet the requirements for reaccreditation.
I am confident we will meet their requirements.
Professor Ted Weaver
Edward (Ted) Weaver is a Senior Medical Officer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. He is Clinical Sub-Dean Griffith University School of Medicine Sunshine Coast. He is a Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at both University of Queensland and Griffith University.
He co-chairs the Queensland Maternal and Perinatal Quality Council which oversees the quality of maternity and perinatal care in Queensland, reporting to the Minister of Health.
Dr Weaver was Vice President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) form 2006, and President from 2008, during a time of significant maternity care reform in Australia.
Dr Greg Duncombe
Associate Professor Gregory Duncombe has trained as a Gynaecologist, Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist and Obstetrician.
He is Clinical Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Pre-eminent Senior Staff Specialist (Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine), Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Dr Duncombe is also an Associate Professor, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Read more here.
