New Health Minister Shannon Fentiman visits Gladstone, Mackay

Campaigners for the restoration of Central Queensland maternity services are cautiously optimistic as the new Health Minister visits.

New Health Minister Shannon Fentiman hit the ground running in her new portfolio on Friday, jetting to Gladstone and then to Mackay in her first 24 hours.

The former attorney-general’s first stop was a visit to Gladstone Hospital’s new West Wing operating theatre with local member Glenn Butcher.

It was also understood she held a closed-door meeting with mothers affected by the city’s maternity crisis – something previous Health Minister Yvette D’Ath was criticised for not doing.

Gladstone Hospital has been on bypass for more than 300 days, though some services for low-risk births have been restored. However, other expectant mothers were still being required to travel to Rockhampton – over 100km away – to give birth.

Ms Fentiman said “there is nowhere I would rather be on my first day as health minister than right here in Gladstone”.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman is briefed by a Queensland Health staffer on her way to Gladstone. Picture: Tim Arvier

“The commencement of surgeries in the new West Wing operating theatres means Gladstone residents can expect to receive the high-quality care they are entitled to,” she said.

“I am absolutely committed to supporting our hardworking doctors, nurses, and midwives, and delivering better health outcomes for Gladstone locals.”

Mr Butcher, who had faced intense pressure over the Gladstone hospital maternity bypass, said he welcomed the incoming Health Minister’s visit to the region.

“I look forward to working closely with Minister Fentiman to address the challenges we face, and I will continue to fight hard for better health outcomes for locals,” he said.

Gladstone maternity ward advocate Jemma Manwaring

Jemma Manwaring, who runs the Save Gladstone Maternity Ward group, said she was delighted the new Health Minister prioritised Gladstone, but mothers in the area still had no definite answer on when services would be restored.

“It is something that should have happened long ago, a visit the former health minister should have made to dedicate time to listen to mothers,” she said.

“Unfortunately no timeline has been provided for the bypass in Gladstone to end, and all we are told is ‘very, very soon’ by the Health Minister.

“That timeline is a bit of a ‘how long is a piece of string?’ situation.

“It’s not definitive and still gives no end in sight for mothers in Gladstone to know their hometown’s maternity ward is functioning at full capacity.”