A Toowoomba mother is speaking out after her support person was removed from the birth suite during the delivery of her son in February 2025. Laura Davies said her mother, Karen Chegwidden, a registered nurse and midwife, was prevented from being present for the birth of her grandson at Toowoomba Base Hospital.
Body-worn camera footage obtained by Ms Davies shows a confrontation outside the birth suite. The footage captures a newborn's cry and Ms Chegwidden calling out, 'That's my grand-baby,' as she tries to enter the room but is stopped by a security guard. The incident lasted less than three minutes before a Nurse Unit Manager arrived, assessed the situation, stood down security, and reunited the family.
Ms Davies said she felt dismissed and not listened to from the moment she arrived. She consented to a doctor's examination but did not want to leave the shower. Her mother repeated this to the doctor, after which security was called. Ms Davies said her son was born 'perfect and healthy' with only one midwife present.
Darling Downs Health issued an apology to Ms Davies and said the complaint is under independent oversight by the Office of the Health Ombudsman and has been referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. However, Ms Davies expressed dissatisfaction, stating the health service avoided accountability.
The hospital is also facing an independent workplace culture review after internal complaints about its maternity unit. A new 'midwife guide' position has been announced to complement existing feedback processes. Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said he had received assurances about service levels.
