Weipa birthing services return but Health Minister mum on Cooktown maternity care

A western Cape York hospital will finally welcome newborns next month, following long delays. But no timeline is in place for Cooktown, whose service ceased to operate more than two years ago.

An overdue birthing service in western Cape York will finally welcome newborns next month following extended delays.

But a pregnant pause remains for expectant mums in Cooktown, whose service ceased to operate more than two years ago.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman officially delivered the news that Weipa’s $2.3m birthing suite will open following the appointment of an obstetrician and a new head of midwifery on Tuesday.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman visited Cairns to announce that the state government will begin providing birthing at Weipa Hospital in May. Picture: Brendan Radke

Asked when Cooktown Hospital’s hallways could expect to hear the cries of freshly born bubs again, Ms Fentiman couldn’t provide a timeline.

“The midwives and GPs are providing antenatal and postnatal care but those mums do have to give birth in Cairns,” she said.

“Our recruitment is underway to get more of those specialist clinicians and as soon as we have them and it is safe to do so, birthing will recommence.”

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s western director of medical services, Dr John Hall, western director of midwifery, Michelle O'Connor, CEO Rex O'Rourke and chairwoman Renee Williams. Dr Hall and Ms O’Connor will be based at Weipa Hospital which will offer birthing services from next month. Picture: Brendan Radke

Shutting facilities down in regional and remote communities deprived women of a “basic human right”, TCHHS’ Western Director of Medical Services, Dr John Hall said.

“In the last 20 years, 150 birthing services have closed across rural Australia,” Dr Hall said.

“It’s so important to maintain services in these towns so that the community gets access to care across a broad range of services.

“It’s a basic human right to have access to birthing and emergency services.”

Dr Hall said improving healthcare in Cape York started with better facilities in remote communities.

“If you build it they will come,” he said.

Long-term resident Elizabeth Weidman is excited to give birth to her third child in Weipa, later this year. Picture: Brendan Radke

“You can’t get midwives and doctors to Weipa when you’re not birthing.

“We have had a high number of inquiries when it comes to doctors and nurses working in this space just in the last week because they can see we’re in it for the long haul.”

Plans for the long-awaited upgrades to Cooktown Hospital have yet to be finalised but Ms Fentiman said newly appointed Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes had already started lobbying for better facilities.

“Make no mistake, she told me that the hospital was her top priority and it’s one of my top priorities too,” she said.

“We’re in furious agreement that the Cooktown Hospital does need an upgrade and that’s what we’re working through with the business case.”

Weipa’s services have sat almost entirely unused for more than 18 months, forcing mums to fly south prior to giving birth.

Originally published as Weipa birthing services return but Health Minister mum on Cooktown maternity care