THE heartbreaking reality of the Queensland Health Crisis has reached another unwanted milestone, with the closure of Cooktown Hospital’s birthing unit reaching two years.
Shadow Minister for Health, Ambulance Services and Women Ros Bates said local mums still have to drive four hours to the closest hospital in Cairns.
“Labor’s heartless decision two years ago proves they have the wrong priorities,” Ms Bates said.
“The former LNP Government proudly re-opened this facility in 2015, before the current State Labor Government put it on bypass in February 2022.
“Mums are still being forced to drive four hours to the nearest hospital in Cairns.
“Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said maternity services would be her focus, but she’s delivered nothing.
“Where has the $42m promised for increased maternity services she announced in June last year?
“Where are the 20 GP Obstetricians she promised in July last year?
“Where are the doctors, nurses and midwives she promised through the Workforce Attraction Incentive Transfer Scheme in the last budget?
“Making announcements, doesn’t re-open maternity services.
“All Queenslanders deserve a world class health system no matter where they live.
“Far North Queenslanders are sick of feeling like second class citizens.
“37 maternity wards across Queensland have been shut by Labor.
“Shannon Fentiman was more focused on counting numbers during Labor’s Christmas coup to topple Annastacia Palaszczuk, instead of doing her job.
“The Queensland Health Crisis will only get worse, the longer Labor is in power.
“The health system won’t change until the government changes.
“The State Labor Government is in chaos and crisis and Far North Queenslanders are paying for Labor’s failures.
“Only the LNP has the right priorities for Queensland’s future and that includes easier access to health services. We’ve also put solutions on the table to heal the Queensland Health Crisis including better resources, better triaging, sharing data in real-time and putting doctors and nurses back in charge to improve patient care.”