Editorial: Rural Maternity Taskforce draft report fails pregnant women in regional areas

The preliminary report of the Rural Maternity Taskforce appears to have a preconceived narrative; disturbingly, one that appears to be a carefully-constructed study in victim-blaming, writes THE EDITOR.

On current trends, one in every 100 Queensland babies will be born on the side of the road within a decade.

THE draft report of the Rural Maternity Taskforce set up by the Queensland Government makes disturbing reading.

And this is not only because it confirms the serious, and often deadly, issues confronting mothers and babies that were highlighted by The Sunday Mail’s Bush Baby Crisis campaign.

Residents of Theodore protest the closure of the birthing unit at their hospital.

It is concerning because it is difficult to read the 60-page document without getting the strong impression it was written with a preconceived narrative; one that seeks to exclude any imperative for action to improve maternity services in so many regional locations. Indeed, a more carefully-constructed study in victim-blaming would be difficult to find.

The taskforce was established after the launch of our series investigating the impact of the quiet closure of 40 country obstetric units around the state during the past two decades.

The secret preliminary report confirms that bush babies are up to 65 per cent more likely to die in the peri-natal period than those in the city or inner regional areas.

Likewise, the rate of neonatal deaths was twice as high in places more than four hours from services than those within an hour of specialist caesarean section capability.

But the report seeks to normalise these frightening differences by blaming a higher level of risk factors among mothers, such as obesity, smoking and non-attendance at antenatal classes.

Take away the risk factors and the picture would be rosy, is the rationale.

Women in regional areas often have to travel for hours to find a maternity service, putting themselves and their babies at risk, yet the taskforce report suggests it is their own fault.

Surely a more logical response, knowing the elevated risks, would be to ensure the provision of services to mitigate the additional danger?

One harsh fact the report cannot attempt to dismiss is a surge in the number of ­babies being born before their mothers can reach the nearest hospital.

The rate of such risky ­deliveries has more than doubled in 15 years.

On current trends, one in every 100 Queensland bubs will be born on the side of the road within a decade.

Between now and the preparation of the final report later this year, Health Minister Steven Miles needs to take control of this issue and ensure the eventual Taskforce response has more substance than simply pointing the finger of blame at mothers left stranded by years of cost-cutting.

DANE BIRD-SMITH A CHAMPION IN LIFE’S BIGGEST RACE

IT TAKES incredible determination and guts to become an elite athlete.

It takes even more strength and courage to acknowledge you are struggling and reach out for help.

Dane Bird-Smith has experienced the heights of success on the world’s greatest sporting stages as an Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist.

Olympic walker Dane Bird-Smith is to be applauded for sharing his story. Picture: Annette Dew

But he also knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom in the emptiness and exhaustion wrought by mental illness. His moving account of the day he nearly took his life while training is extremely powerful.

Dane’s insight into his private battle wrestling with “a vicious cycle of negativity” as he struggled to maintain a mask outwardly, will resonate with many.

At any time, one in five Australians aged between 16 and 85 is experiencing mental health problems.

Dane is to be applauded for his willingness to share his story, helping to raise awareness of an issue which, despite positive strides in recent years, is still not discussed as widely or openly as it should be.

The Australian Institute of Sport also deserves great credit for recognising the risks faced by the young people under its watch with its new Mental Health ­Referral Network.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Kelvin Healey, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are at couriermail.com.au