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AAP
AAP
Health
Robyn Wuth

Deadline looms for troubled Qld hospital

Queensland's Mackay Hospital board has been told to justify why it should not be dismissed. (file) (Cleo Fraser/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Queensland's troubled Mackay Hospital board has until the close of business to respond to a show cause notice and justify why it should not be dismissed.

The state government extended the response deadline to Friday after a damning report into the central Queensland hospital's gynaecology and obstetrics department.

Four clinicians and another staff member resigned and have been referred to the ombudsman after the report released last month found inadequate care at Mackay Hospital contributed to the deaths of three babies.

It also flagged problems with incident monitoring, safety and quality complications management, and clinical deterioration between 2019 and 2021.

The state government ordered the probe after female patients complained about complications from Caesareans and inadequate hospital care.

Almost 100 women gave evidence they had been neglected and suffering ongoing pain through unresolved medical conditions,

Some 26 cases fell below expected medical standards resulting in personal injury or harm, the report found.

Liberal National opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates described the failures as one of the greatest debacles in health and called for Health Minister Yvette D'Ath to resign.

"The person who is responsible for the hospitals in this state is Yvette D'Ath," Ms Bates said on Friday.

"Yvette D'Ath needs to show cause as to why she needs to stay as the health minister. The mothers of Mackay are calling for Yvette D'Ath to be sacked."'

A spokesman for the minister said Ms D'Ath would consider the response before any decision on the future hospital's board members.

A special advisor to the health service board has been appointed, tasked with providing independent oversight of the issues raised.

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