Cooktown hospital on track, return of birthing services up in air

A southern Cape York hospital has avoided being part of Queensland’s multi-billion dollar health infrastructure blowout with construction on the $200m project still on time and on budget, a community leader says.

Work on the Cooktown Multi Purpose Health Centre is on schedule to start early next year. Picture: Peter Carruthers

A southern Cape York hospital has avoided being part of Queensland’s multi-billion dollar health infrastructure blowout with construction on the $200m project still on time and on budget, a community leader says.

But the LNP has refused to say when birthing services will return to the region with a lack of specialist staff still plaguing the regional health service.

Health minister Tim Nicholls’ office confirmed work on the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Centre was set to start in 2026 with the managing contractor set to be appointed soon.

It stands in stark contrast to 15 other major health projects across the state, estimated to be a whopping $7bn over budget according to a report released by the state government earlier this week.

Cook Shire Council councillor Gavin Dear and mayor Robyn Holmes are eager to see construction start on its new hospital. Picture: Brendan Radke

The hospital expansion can’t come quick enough with the ramshackle current centre — built as a temporary facility in the 1980s — in a poor state, Cook Shire mayor Robyn Holmes said.

“There are still leaks in the wet season, the waiting room is a hallway and the theatre room is quite small,” Ms Holmes said.

“During the tourist season, the presentation goes up massively which also affects locals ability to access the service too.

“At the moment, if you need any specialty services you pretty much have to go to Cairns. This will alleviate that pressure.”

Health minister Tim Nicholls has faced criticism for cutting the Workforce Attraction Incentive Scheme. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The lack of birthing services since early 2022 has forced young families to travel more than 325km south for bubs to be delivered in Cairns with the LNP critical of the closure at the time.

Opposition leader Steven Miles said the state government’s decision to scrap its Workforce Attraction Incentive Scheme would only make it harder to lure specialist medical practitioners to regional areas.

“Tim Nicholls has refused to reinstate this vital scheme despite pleas from experts, which will only hinder efforts to attract the staff needed to deliver birthing services in Cooktown,” Mr Miles said.

“Failure to deliver on this pledge would be a betrayal to all expectant mothers in the community and another broken promise to the people of the Far North.”

But a spokesman for the health minister said the changes were necessary to ensure workforce initiatives provided value for money.

“There are a range of benefits provided under various Certified Agreements to support staff attraction and retention in rural and remote locations,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Cooktown hospital on track, return of birthing services up in air