The Queensland Opposition says a man was forced to
deliver a stillborn baby on the side of the road after his pregnant wife was
sent from one hospital to another.
Opposition MP Vaughan Johnson says the couple were sent
from the Emerald hospital to Rockhampton last month, when the baby was found
to have died in the womb.
He says the baby was delivered on the way.
Mr Johnson says the woman left Emerald in the family car
and should have been transported in an ambulance.
He says he is not satisfied with the response of Health
Minister Stephen Robertson
"The Minister displayed cold, callous, despicable
leadership here this morning," he said.
"I call on Stephen Robertson to find out why, and what
sort of a remedy he's going to put in place, not only [at] Emerald but other
hospitals throughout Queensland, to make sure that this deplorable despicable
act never happens again."
Mr Robertson says there was no sign of labour when the
woman left Emerald.
But he has told Parliament the local health district is
investigating and that the couple has other options as well.
"Those people have the right to put this matter before
the Health Rights Commission, they have the right to have this matter fully
and independently investigated," he
said.
