$200m investment to redevelop the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service

The Premier’s pre-budget cash splash has extended to Cape York with a record $200m investment to develop a new hospital in Cooktown.

The Cooktown Hospital will be redeveloped with the Queensland government committing $200m to the project in the forthcoming budget.

The Premier’s pre-budget cash splash has extended to Cape York with a record $200m investment to develop a new hospital in Cooktown.

But the release of a critical report into the healthcare of First Nations peoples living in remote communities has been delayed for a staggering fourth time with the timeline on its release now set for July.

The brand-new hospital will replace the desperately rundown Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service which was only built as a temporary facility in the 1980s.

A business case to upgrade the facility’s ageing infrastructure was submitted to the Department of Health about two years ago with the cost to redevelop the hospital skyrocketing in that time.

Adding to the region’s healthcare woes, expectant mums have been forced to either travel to Cairns or have home deliveries following the closure of the service’s birthing suite in 2022.

State Health Minister Shannon Fentiman says the new health facility to be built in Cooktown will also service neighbouring remote communities throughout southern Cape York. Picture: Brendan Radke

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the new hospital would increase bed numbers as well as support modern models of care, including paediatrics, mental health and palliative care.

“We know the population in the region is expanding and demand for health services

in Cooktown is growing,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This new modern hospital will be a gamechanger for many First Nations

communities in the far north and will provide culturally appropriate care for

generations to come.

“I’m especially excited to see the boosted health services will also include maternity

and paediatric care – ensuring our youngest Queenslanders get the best care

possible, closer to home.”

Rex O'Rourke is Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s (TCHHS) new chief executive. Mr O'Rourke joined TCHHS in January 2024.

The nine-figure investment will deliver culturally appropriate, modern healthcare services for

the community now and into the future, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service chief executive Rex O’Rourke said.

“This is an investment that will benefit Cape York residents for many years to come,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Redeveloping Cooktown hospital will increase the capacity to deliver more and

improved services, allowing patients to access services closer to home and limiting

the need to travel elsewhere for health care.

“It will also help with staff recruitment and retention, which will benefit our local

communities.’’

Cook Mayor Robyn Holmes said years of campaigning for a new hospital by community leaders had finally paid off.

“The Cook Shire Council has been advocating for an upgrade to Cooktown Hospital

and I am so pleased to see this commitment to delivering a contemporary health

facility for our community,” Ms Holmes said.

“It is so important to the families of Cooktown and neighbouring communities to have

access to modern facilities and high-quality care in their local community.”

Meanwhile, an independent report into the administration, management and treatment of First Nations peoples by TCHHS was launched last August, led by Professor Cindy Shannon AM, has been delayed again.

The investigation was sparked by a toddler’s “preventable” death in Bamaga last year and led to impassioned criticism of health services from community leaders.

The community will be updated on the tender process for the design and construction of the new hospital over the coming months.

In April, the Cairns Post forecast the hospital redevelopment would cost around $200m.

NEW HOSPITAL FOR THE CAPE

The proposed redevelopment of the Cooktown MPHS will include:

■ inpatient unit with service capacity expanded from 16 to 24 beds

■ a new operating theatre service with one theatre and one procedure room and an adjacent birthing suite

■ an emergency department and medical imaging

■ building for clinical and non-clinical support services

■ health services as well as partial refurbishment of the existing hospital

■ a culturally appropriate main entry and front of house

Originally published as $200m investment to redevelop the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service