Queensland Parliament Question Time live blog: Mothers who have lost children during birth will continue to be placed in wards with newborns

The LNP is focusing its questioning on health, specifically the practice of women traumatised by losing a baby, being treated in wards with crying newborns at one of Queensland’s biggest maternity hospitals.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has come under fire about the the practice of women, traumatised by losing a baby, being treated in wards with crying newborns at one of Queensland’s biggest maternity hospitals.  She said 'exceptional circumstances' created by the pandemic  had compromised  hospital operations and the practice would continue until next year.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOW QUESTION TIME PLAYED OUT

It was revealed the RBWH had failed to split the maternity and gynaecology wards despite the state government last year admitting the practice was a mistake and issuing a promise it would stop.

Ms D’Ath said she had made it clear last year (in November) that the proposal to “permanently” co-locate the gynaecology and maternity wards would not go ahead.

But she said since then there had been three waves of Covid-19 and staff had been “working towards a more suitable” solution during this time.

“I'd been advised that with the standing down of the COVID response at RBWH on September 4, a final decision has been made to permanently relocate the gynaecology unit at its previous location,” Ms D’Ath said.

“That ward is going to undertake a full refurbishment before we relocate back early next year.”

EARLIER

Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was confident "Queenslanders won't be forgotten" as Treasurer Jim Chalmers prepares to deliver his first federal budget today.

The Premier said, "of course we will be looking forward to seeing what's in there for Queensland".

"We know that the federal treasurer is a Queenslander, and I'm quite sure he understands Queensland and Queensland will not be forgotten," she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said she would be looking forward to seeing more funding to take pressure off primary healthcare, and "relieve pressure " on the system.