A sacked Mackay Hospital and Health Services board member doesn’t think the Health Minister is singularly to blame for problems with care at the facility.

The entire board was dismissed after a damning report into the hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department found inadequate care led to botched surgeries and the deaths of three babies.

Former board member Elissa Hatherly told Jess Millward on 4BC Afternoons she feels “pretty crushed” over Yvette D’Ath’s decision.

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Haterly’s reaction in full 

“We were trying our best to help improve things that haven’t been going well for a while,” she said. “We really felt that we were finally turning a corner with our new leadership team there.”

“We had actually undertaken an internal investigation prior and had already undertaken the vast majority of those recommendations already.”

Dr Hatherly said she had been buoyed by the state government’s external investigation finding there had been no fault by the board.

“[It was] reassuring to us, but still, at the end of the day, the board takes responsibility.”

Despite her disappointment, Dr Hatherly wouldn’t be drawn into commenting on whether Ms D’Ath should be sacked and instead noted she “really feels” for the Health Minister.

“I don’t think there’s any one person to blame; it is a system that has been struggling for many years and needs firm and inspired leadership to take us out of this.

“I really hope the Labor government is able to provide some of that leadership for us.”

Image: 9News