A Queensland chief medical officer at the centre of a high-profile investigation has returned to work after being suspended for 14 months.

The Mackay Hospital and Health Service’s (MHHS) chief medical officer (CMO), Charles Pain, returned to work on Monday, after an external investigation cleared him of all allegations. 

Dr Pain was suspended from his role on September 28, 2024.

The ABC revealed in October last year that the suspension was initially sparked by a complaint from a doctor contracted to work in the CMO role, while Dr Pain was on sick leave in 2024.

A covered walkway, with a large glass door at the end

Two doctors have acted in the chief medical officer role in Mackay over the past year. (ABC Tropical North: Liam O’Connell)

Documents from the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) showed the complaints included allegations of “poor clinical governance and credentialing and accreditation concerns”.

In a statement on Monday, MHHS chief executive Sean Birgan said the investigation found Dr Pain had acted “appropriately, transparently and reasonably”, and no adverse findings were made against him.

Mr Birgan said Dr Pain’s suspension had been lifted, and he welcomed “his leadership and return to the organisation”.

A man in a collared shirt smiles at the camera in an office setting

Sean Birgan became the interim chief executive of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service in October last year. (ABC North West Qld: Emily Dobson)

Transparency concerns remainChief medical officer vows to clear his name

Charles Pain vowed to clear his name after going to the Industrial Relations Commission to find out the allegations against him.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation Queensland (ASMOFQ) also welcomed Dr Pain’s return.

The organisation said it had been in discussions with Queensland Health prior to Dr Pain’s suspension being lifted on November 27, 2025. 

However, it also called for a review into the basis of Dr Pain’s suspension “to ensure the appropriate use of executive powers and accountability to the community, including the proper use of public funds and resources”.

Documents from the QIRC showed Dr Pain received his base salary while he was suspended.

It also showed MHHS spent $321,000 in the 2024–25 financial year on two doctors to act as the CMO in Dr Pain’s absence.

In a statement, ASMOFQ said the case highlighted the need for “clearer guidelines and greater transparency” around suspensions, particularly when they were “prolonged”.