‘Fighting hard’: Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui stands by health record as Cape York community waits for desperately needed hospital upgrade

A Far North MP has defended her efforts to lobby for a major redevelopment of Cooktown Hospital, despite the business case having been submitted almost two years ago.

Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui says she is “fighting hard” for health services in her electorate. Picture: Tara Croser.

A Far North MP has defended her efforts to lobby for a major redevelopment of a southern Cape York hospital, despite failing to secure funds for the project when the business case was submitted almost two years ago.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service delivered a report to the Department of Health seeking upgrades for Cooktown hospital in June 2022.

Since then, estimated costs have blown out to almost $200m with the revamped service set to include additional inpatient beds, a new emergency department, operating theatre and a medical imaging department.

But Cook MP Cynthia Lui stood by her health record, declaring she’d been “fighting hard” for better health outcomes in her electorate even though funding for the project had yet to materialise.

“I will continue to fight for improvements in an upgrade of Cooktown Hospital,” she said.

“I’ve passionately advocated for the people of Cape York and taken the Health Minister (Shannon Fentiman) to Cooktown to see first-hand the health facility and the needs of our community.”

This week, the LNP committed to upgrading the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Centre with Opposition Leader David Crisafulli pledging to deliver “world class health services” to the region, if elected in October.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman (right) and MP Cynthia Lui (left). Picture: Kristina Puljak

But Ms Fentiman dismissed LNP claims that a high number of birthing services had closed across Queensland under Labor, despite Cooktown’s birthing suite having shut down in 2022.

“The LNP’s claims that more than 30 maternity services have been closed by our government are completely false, and the LNP needs to stop spreading misinformation and creating fear within communities, particularly for expecting parents,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We are committed to resuming full birthing services at Cooktown but our number one priority is that the service we deliver is safe.

“A full maternity service depends on the availability of highly qualified maternity staff, including those trained in obstetrics and anaesthetics, and while we continue to do everything we can to attract those specialist workers, we know there are workforce challenges globally.”

Ms Fentiman said a revised business case for the health centre would be finalised soon.

“We know that the Cape York population is expanding and the increased demand on health services is being reflected in the planning,” Ms Fentiman said.

Cooktown Hospital was built as a temporary facility 36 years ago, with services spread out in various buildings, many of them now ageing and in poor condition.

Cook Shire mayor Robyn Holmes said the facility’s rundown amenities had affected the quality of care provided and staff morale.

“You can see the buckets in the hallway during the wet season (catching rain),” she said.

“If you go to work every day and your work space isn’t reasonable, you tend to leave.”

Full antenatal and post-natal services are currently available at Cooktown.

The state budget will be released next month.

Originally published as ‘Fighting hard’: Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui stands by health record as Cape York community waits for desperately needed hospital upgrade