Crisafulli declares that only the LNP can deliver long overdue Cape York health service
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has challenged Labor’s record on providing maternity services in Cape York, declaring that only the LNP can “guarantee” quality health care in remote communities and bring birthing services back to Cooktown.
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Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has challenged Labor’s record on providing maternity services in Cape York declaring that only the LNP can “guarantee” quality healthcare in remote communities and bring birthing services back to Cooktown.
Premier Steven Miles announced that specialist recruitment for Cooktown Hospital had started late last month with southern Cape York bubs due to be delivered at the hospital by June next year.
But following several major delays in returning birthing to Weipa, in western Cape York, and Cooktown, Mr Crisafulli questioned whether the ALP could be trusted to provide the vital service.
“We have a plan that makes sure that clinicians can be valued and respected and want to be part of the delivery of services,” he said.
“In contrast, I have seen the government now on the fourth occasion, promise that maternity services will be re-established after the election.
“They said several times before the election that it was going to happen. The only way that young mums in Cooktown will be able to have a baby (in Cooktown) is if the government changes.”
When challenged that staff were already being hired, the Opposition Leader argued that previous recruitment drives to bring clinicians to the remote community had failed.
“With respect, I’ve heard that story many times before,” he said.
“My commitment to the people of Cooktown is that we will re-establish that service.
“Restoring birthing services will be the first step towards communities feeling as though they matter again.
“There have been nearly 40 maternity wards closed by Labor in the past generation. We’re giving Queenslanders hope that we can restore some.”
Re-establishing Weipa’s $2.3m birthing suite service demonstrated Labor’s commitment to remote healthcare, Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui said.
“It’s great that the Opposition Leader is making that statement but Labor is getting on with the work,” Ms Lui said.
“Weipa was certainly a learning curve for all of us. After 25 years of not having a maternity service in Cape York (north of Cooktown) … there were a lot of challenges in attracting the right people into the region.
“That’s always going to be a factor when you consider remoteness and isolation. It’s important that we attract the right people to deliver the right services.”
Ms Lui also ruled out splitting Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service as called for by three mayors earlier this year.
“The issues that I’m seeing in the Torres Strait are similar to those in Cape York,” she said.
“I think for me it makes a lot of sense that we work collaboratively as one region to address the needs of the population.”
Since February 2022, expectant mums in the southern Cape have been forced to travel to Cairns after services ceased in Cooktown due to difficulties retaining staff and claims of a “toxic” workplace.
Both parties have committed to a $200m recevelopment of the Cooktown Multi Purpose Health Service. The LNP announced its $500m health services plan earlier this week.
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