Gladstone maternity crisis: Fears return may be a ‘stop gap’, as other towns still waiting for services

As the women of Gladstone celebrate the end of the almost year-long maternity bypass, there are fears it may just be a “stop gap”, while women in numerous other regional Queensland centres are still waiting for the return of their maternity services.

Doctors are questioning if the return of maternity services to Gladstone is a “stop gap” or a commitment to long-lasting birthing in city.

As the women of Gladstone celebrate the end of the maternity bypass, questions remain as to how many obstetricians have been recruited to the hospital, will they live in the area or are they FIFO medics.

The National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists chief congratulated Health Minister Shannon Fentiman on ending the bypass but wants to know what plans are in place to improve retention of the doctors, which has been an ongoing problem.

“NASOG sincerely hopes that the minister has taken on board the recommendations the doctors have made to retain the specialists recruited,” Associate Professor Gino Pecoraro said.

“Access to private practice, ensuring doctors are integral parts of the team looking after women and not just called in at the last minute to crisis manage and repeal of unfair name, and shame legislation are what our members have indicated they need to provide care in regional Queensland.

Gladstone Hospital. Picture Rodney Stevens

“These measures, if implemented, will go a long way to making sure that the solution in Gladstone is long lasting and not just a stop gap.

“Introduction of these same measures across all maternity units in regional Queensland will hopefully prevent a recurrence of what happened in Gladstone happening elsewhere.”

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates has also stated that the women of Biloela, Cooktown, Chinchilla and Weipa are still crying out to know when the birthing units in their own towns will finally reopen.

“These mothers continue to pay for the chaos and crisis of the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” she said.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates. Picture: Shae Beplate.

If Labor does not make drastic changes to the way maternity services are delivered in Queensland, I have grave fears that the return of maternity services in Gladstone is not permanent.

“At a time when the government is rolling in record coal revenue, there is no excuse for mothers in remote and regional Queensland to be treated as second-class citizens.”

Ms Fentiman’s office could not confirm the number of obstetricians recruited and if they were FIFO.

On Tuesday the minister announced Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service had reinstated full birthing services at Gladstone Hospital after 399 days on bypass.

“Following the recruitment of additional obstetrics and gynaecology specialists, Gladstone Hospital returns to its full usual birthing service,” she said.