Birthing care returns to regional Queensland after community advocacy
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Katie Craig of Biloela, Queensland, successfully advocated for the return of birthing services to her town and Cooktown after a three-year campaign.
In 2022, Biloela Hospital ended its birthing services, forcing expectant mothers to travel to larger cities. Ms. Craig’s son was born shortly before the closure, and she feared for both their lives due to the potential for delayed care.
The reopened birthing units in Biloela and Cooktown began offering care on Monday, addressing a gap in maternal services that lasted four years. However, the Biloela unit now operates at a level two capacity, meaning it cannot handle complex or emergency pregnancies, a downgrade from its previous level three status. Erica Gannon, president of the Australian Medical Association Queensland, expressed concern that the reduced services may not be sufficient, as over half of pregnancy complications are difficult to predict.
Despite this, Katie Craig and local officials hope to expand the Biloela unit over time by attracting more medical personnel. Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service acknowledged the challenges of recruiting staff to rural areas but stated they are committed to sustaining the newly reopened service.
