The latest letter from gynaecological oncologist Professor Margaret Davy to her NT private patients speaks of reports from inquiries into NT obstetrics and gynaecology sitting on shelves “ gathering dust. " She says that for almost a decade , none of the specialist jobs in obstetrics and gynaecology had been advertised and made available to Australian trained specialists. While saying she had nothing against overseas trained doctors , the problem was that the selection process was not transparent. This situation impacted on the wife of Darwin Hospital oncologist , Dr Mathew George , who wanted to complete training in obstetrics and gynaecology, but has been denied that opportunity in Darwin. Professor Davy tells her patients that many of them would undoubtedly be “dismayed” to learn that Dr Mathew George will be leaving on November 1.
“I most definitely did not want to make this issue a political slanging match , as I was hoping that common fair play would prevail , but there continues to be an ongoing problem at RDH (Royal Darwin Hospital) with governance and accountability to give people of (the) NT access to the best trained doctors who are appointed on an open process.”
In the letter , dated September 17, Professor Davy says she has been humbled by various responses to bring into the open various decisions affecting women’s health in the NT. Then she sets out a “ factual record” of events experienced since her previous letter in early August.
In the company of Dr Jenny Mitchell , she had called on Health Minister Kon Vatskalis and his adviser to discuss various aspects of his reply to Alison Anderson’s question in parliament about her “dismissal” by RDH. The minister had told her she had not been “sacked”. In reply, “ I then showed a letter signed by Charles Kilburn, Maternal and Child Health, Len Notaras ,General Manager , Henry Cho, Obstetrics and Gynaecology , stating that my services were no longer required.”
The matter of culturally appropriate provision of services to indigenous women had been raised and the minister had agreed this was important. Dr Mitchell raised the issue that the male gynaecologists who were coming from Brisbane under the new contract were not going to provide a service for private patients.
“I most definitely did not want to make this issue a political slanging match , as I was hoping that common fair play would prevail , but there continues to be an ongoing problem at RDH (Royal Darwin Hospital) with governance and accountability to give people of (the) NT access to the best trained doctors who are appointed on an open process.”
In the letter , dated September 17, Professor Davy says she has been humbled by various responses to bring into the open various decisions affecting women’s health in the NT. Then she sets out a “ factual record” of events experienced since her previous letter in early August.
In the company of Dr Jenny Mitchell , she had called on Health Minister Kon Vatskalis and his adviser to discuss various aspects of his reply to Alison Anderson’s question in parliament about her “dismissal” by RDH. The minister had told her she had not been “sacked”. In reply, “ I then showed a letter signed by Charles Kilburn, Maternal and Child Health, Len Notaras ,General Manager , Henry Cho, Obstetrics and Gynaecology , stating that my services were no longer required.”
The matter of culturally appropriate provision of services to indigenous women had been raised and the minister had agreed this was important. Dr Mitchell raised the issue that the male gynaecologists who were coming from Brisbane under the new contract were not going to provide a service for private patients.
Professor Davy also pointed out the exceptionally high incidence of vulva cancer in East Arnhem women , at a much younger age. Reference had been made to several scientific papers .”We had also set up a national collaboration with Menzies, Royal Women’s, Melbourne, and Professor Margaret Stanley, from Cambridge, UK, the world authority , to try to elicit answers to questions about causality.” The minister had been given copies of these papers , and he was asked for extra resources to screen these young and vulnerable women .
She said a Queensland group was offering “academic and clinical services “ in respect of this matter . "NT Health are aware of the collaborative research we have been doing , but have not taken consequence of the results published in peer reviewed journals to direct resources to fill a demonstrated need for extra surveillance for East Arnhem women,where we have demonstrated an exceptionally high incidence of vulvar cancer at the young age 20-30.”
At the end of the discussion with the minister he had assured her he would make contact in the near future to organise further visits by her this year. Since her return to Adelaide on August 25 , there had been no communication. However , she had received notification from the NT Medical Board saying her registration was due for renewal. The minister had been faxed asking for information from his department about her future arrangements , as there was no point renewing registration she might not need. At the time of writing her letter, there had been no response.
