Townsville Hospital is investigating an alleged privacy breach after anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe posted a video on social media containing an image of a 16-week-old foetus, which she claimed was taken inside the hospital’s Butterfly Room, a space for grieving parents. Howe said a whistleblower sent her the image, but no evidence was provided to support her claim that the foetus was “born alive” after an abortion.
In a subsequent video, Howe posted specific medical information from hospital records, including dates, times, birth weights, abortion medications, and maternal injuries. Patient names were blurred, but the details could allow individuals to identify themselves. She named one of the cases “Amira” or “Mira,” though the origin of these names is unclear.
Dr Nisha Khot, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, condemned the public posting of such material, calling it “deplorable” and stating it preys on vulnerable people during a heartbreaking time. Townsville Hospital and Health Service CEO Kieran Keyes confirmed the service is aware of the posts and is investigating the serious breach of confidentiality.
Queensland’s Office of the Health Ombudsman said it treats privacy breach allegations with the utmost seriousness, noting that unauthorized access or disclosure of patient information is strictly prohibited under state laws, with consequences including disciplinary action, civil penalties, or criminal prosecution. The office emphasized that access to patient records must be limited to authorized healthcare professionals.
Howe, a migration law professor at Adelaide University, has previously been accused of spreading misinformation about abortion and has been banned from the South Australian parliament for alleged intimidation during an abortion law debate. She has worked with politicians to draft laws aimed at repealing abortion rights. Pro-choice MPs have reported death threats and abuse following her campaigns.
