Health Service Investigation launched into Mackay Hospital and Health Service
- A "Part 9" investigation has been launched into Mackay Hospital and Health Service to examine the recruitment and credentialing of senior medical officers.
- The investigation will cover a two-year period to December 2024 and consider if improvements can be made, and follows a "Part 6" review.
- The investigation will examine if senior medical officers have been credentialed to practice within the bounds of their role, education, training, experience and competence.
- Clinical reviews have confirmed no patient harm has occurred and there is no risk to the community.
A health service investigation has been launched into Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) to examine concerns about the recruitment and credentialing for scope of practice of senior medical officers.
Director-General Dr David Rosengren has commissioned the investigation under Part 9 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.
The investigation will cover a two-year period from January 2023 to December 2024 to determine if Mackay HHS complied with processes and practices relating to senior medical officer recruitment and selection, their credentialing and the scope of practice, and to investigate what improvements need to be made.
This includes ensuring senior medical officers have been credentialed to practice within the bounds of their role, education, training, experience and competence.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said concerns had been raised about senior medical officer recruitment and credentialling, including clinical scope of practice and requirements for supervision at the Mackay Hospital and Health Service.
"It is essential Queensland Health addresses these concerns thoroughly, which is why a Part 9 has been commissioned," Minister Nicholls said.
"I'm confident Queensland Health has rigorous senior medical officer recruitment and credentialling requirements, so I fully support this investigative work to ensure they are being met.
"While I understand the community may be concerned on hearing about this investigation, I am assured clinical reviews to date found no patient harm had occurred."
Queensland Health Director-General Dr David Rosengren said the investigation follows concerns raised by doctors in Mackay around uncertainty of clinical scope and requirements for supervision for non-specialist senior medical staff.
"The investigation will examine the policies and procedures currently in use to ensure they are operating effectively," Dr Rosengren said.
"If there are shortfalls, it is critical we identify these and implement opportunities to improve so Queensland Health continues to provide world-class healthcare."
Dr Rosengren said the investigation followed a clinical review Mackay HHS completed under Part 6 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act, examining the workload and scope of clinical practice of a senior medical officer.
"While the clinical review did not identify any specific adverse outcomes, it has identified risk associated with inadequate credentialing specificity around scope of clinical practice and supervision requirements for non-specialist senior medical officers," he said.
"The investigation is the next step to examine processes across the entire HHS to determine if improvements can be made locally and where relevant, across the state."
Mackay HHS Chief Executive Susan Gannon said Mackay HHS has taken important steps following the Part 6 clinical review to strengthen practices and processes.
This includes ensuring all senior surgical specialist staff and theatre managers understand the requirements for supervision of trainees, principal house officers and non-specialist senior medical officers.
"Mackay HHS has responded quickly to address concerns raised by staff and this is a demonstration of our development of a culture of safety," Ms Gannon said.
"We will work collaboratively with investigators to further improve our processes and practices and I will continue to encourage staff to raise their concerns."
The terms of reference for the health service investigation are available on the Queensland Health website.
