LNP pledge to upgrade Cooktown hospital and deliver ‘world class’ health services to regional Queenslanders

A rundown Cape York hospital will undergo major upgrades if the LNP is voted in at October’s state election, more than two years after a business case was submitted to the Department of Health, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says.

The LNP's Cook candidate, David Kempton and Opposition Leader, David Crisafulli near Wangetti Beach on Wednesday morning. Picture: Supplied

A rundown Cape York hospital will undergo major upgrades if the LNP is voted in at October’s state election, more than two years after a business case was submitted to the Department of Health, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says.

Established as a temporary service four decades ago, costs to redevelop Cooktown hospital’s ageing infrastructure have reportedly skyrocketed towards $200m to improve the dilapidated health centre.

The Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service. Picture: Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

But Mr Crisafulli said the Coalition was committed to providing “world class health services” in the southern Cape community, whose birthing suite shut down in 2022.

“The hospital in Cooktown is not up to standard for a community of that size and importance,” he said.

“That’s only because the government can’t manage things on time and on budget.

“I don’t subscribe to the theory that because we’ve got a bad government in Queensland … that doesn’t mean you throw up the shingle and say you’re not going to do anything anymore.

“I’m committed to world-class health services. The Cooktown Hospital is so important to the broader area in the regions that surround it.”

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the state government also remained committed to the Cooktown Hospital upgrade.

During her April visit to Cairns, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman couldn’t provide a timeline on when the Cooktown birthing suite would reopen. Picture: Brendan Radke

Expectant mothers in Cooktown and neighbouring communities have been forced to either travel to Cairns or have home births following the closure of the hospital’s birthing suite.

But that would change under an LNP government, Mr Crisafulli said.

“Young mums should be able to give birth in our major regional centres,” he said.

“The Labor Party has closed more birthing services than are currently open. I’m offering Queenslanders a focus on having a world-class health service no matter where they live.

“Services can’t keep being stripped away from regional areas.”

“The Labor Party has closed nearly 40 birthing suites in this state. My commitment is to give women in this state the opportunity to have a baby where, when and how they choose.”

Ms Fentiman said the state government had reopened Beaudesert and Weipa maternity services - “the only two maternity wards in the country to reopen”.

“The LNP’s claims that more than 30 maternity services have been closed by our government are completely false, and the LNP needs to stop spreading misinformation and creating fear within communities, particularly for expecting parents,” she said.

“We are committed to resuming full birthing services at Cooktown but our number one priority is that the service we deliver is safe.”

Mr Crisafulli visited the Far North on Wednesday morning to formally welcome the Coalition’s candidate for Cook, David Kempton, back in to the fold.

Mr Kempton, who previously served as the Member for Cook between 2012-15, said the electorate had suffered from “10 years of neglect”.

“I hear from people in Mareeba who are worried about youth crime,” he said.

“Over in Port Douglas people are worried about water security, in Mossman they’re worried about jobs, in Cooktown the hospital is in tatters and needs to be repaired.

“The Aboriginal communities I visit, there are issues around economic development and delivery of health services and the entire region has had 10 years of neglect.

“They need leadership and I think I’m in that position.”

Cook MP Cynthia Lui will be pitted against the LNP’s David Kempton in October’s state election. Picture: Brendan Radke

Last month, Torres and Cape Hospital Health Service chief executive Rex O’Rourke said improving the hospital is “of the highest priority” with inpatient beds expected to increase from 16 to 24.

Mr Kempton will be running against Labor incumbent, Cynthia Lui.

The state government was contacted for comment.

Originally published as LNP pledge to upgrade Cooktown hospital and deliver ‘world class’ health services to regional Queenslanders