Queensland's North West Hospital and Health Service board (NWHHS) has been issued a show cause notice amid concerns about its financial management and governance.
The NWHHS services a population of about 32,000 people in Mount Isa and its surrounds, including two Indigenous communities and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
There are 16 hospital and health services in Queensland, all of which are governed by boards that report to the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D'Ath, who issued the notice.
“The action I have taken today asks the board to show cause as to why they should not be dismissed and an administrator appointed," she said.
NWHHS acting chief executive Karen Murphy said patients would not experience any difference in their standard of care as a result of the announcement.
"While we cannot comment on this ministerial process, we will work with the Minister for Health … to support the future governance of the HHS," she said.
"In the meantime, we remain focussed on serving our community.
"Our great staff remain focused on delivering a high standard of care to our patients and the community of north-west Queensland."
State Member 'concerned'
State Member for Traeger Robbie Katter said the announcement was concerning.
"I am closely engaged with all areas of health service delivery in my electorate of Traeger, which is covered predominantly by the NWHHS's footprint," he said.
"In my experience the overwhelming number of issues impacting health service access and outcomes are a case of the local hospitals being grossly under-funded, as opposed to any suggestions of mismanagement.
"I'm concerned that instead of simply funding the service properly, the Palaszczuk Labor Government is seeking to lay the blame for the myriad health problems faced in the North West at the feet of the board."
