Obstetricians defend claim they ‘barge in’ during labour
Associate Professor Gino Pecoraro says a consumer group's allegation that a Brisbane hospital's obstetricians are being 'disrespectful' to women and midwives is unfair
A leading Queensland obstetrician says growing tensions between midwives and doctors is creating a “toxic work environment”, making a tough job even harder for obstetric registrars.
Brisbane-based Associate Professor Gino Pecoraro was commenting on a national consumer group’s complaint that alleged obstetricians had been “barging in” on midwives and women during labour.
The Maternity Consumer Network (MCN) wrote to Mater Hospital Brisbane in late May about a “culture of disrespectful treatment” among obstetricians, obstetrician registrars and medical students towards midwives and women.
Its letter said the hospital had been the most commonly cited by patients, but similar experiences had been reported at other Queensland hospitals too.
