A maternity unit in Queensland is set for significant reform after an independent culture review delivered 14 recommendations aimed at strengthening leadership, communication and clinical governance. The findings, released on Thursday, call for a complete review of the midwifery leadership structure and updated position descriptions to ensure the team can meet current demands and challenges.
The recommendations also include refreshed training for all staff on complaint‑handling procedures, clearer escalation pathways, and the recruitment of new clinical directors in obstetrics and gynaecology to fill longstanding vacancies. The changes are designed to improve workplace culture and restore confidence among staff and patients.
Darling Downs Health Services chief executive Annette Scott said her team had already begun working with maternity staff to implement every recommendation. She emphasised that the review was built around staff voices and that their experiences directly shaped the final report.
“We have briefed our maternity services staff today, explaining how extensive their engagement in the process was, how the outcomes flow from what they told the independent reviewers and how these have informed the report’s 14 recommendations,” Ms Scott said.
She added that the recommendations will be embedded into the organisation’s Maternity Action Plan and rolled out in a “considered, measured and timely way,” with staff consulted throughout the process.
Scott thanked everyone involved in the review, acknowledging that the process had been difficult but would ultimately strengthen the hospital’s maternity services.
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