The board of Queensland’s troubled Mackay Hospital and Health Service has been sacked after a scathing report found inadequate care contributed to the deaths of three babies and dozens of women suffered lifelong physical and mental harm.

Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath announced the decision on Tuesday, saying an administrator had been appointed.

“I just don’t believe that there is the skill set needed across the entire board and a willingness and acknowledgement of what could have been done, and what should have been done over the last few years,” she said.

The nine-member board had been given a 4 November deadline to respond to a show cause notice and justify why it should not be dismissed after a damning report into the central Queensland hospital’s gynaecology and obstetrics department.