First babies born at Beaudesert Hospital in 10 years

Beaudesert Hospital has welcomed the birth of its first three babies since the Birthing Unit was closed by the former Government 10 years ago.

Minister for Health Lawrence Springborg today officially opened the Beaudesert Birthing Unit – the first to be reopened under the Government’s commitment to return vital health services to rural and regional Queenslanders.

“Today is a momentous occasion for the wider Beaudesert community which has had the doors of their local maternity ward locked for more than 10 years,” Mr Springborg said.

“Today, the Birthing Unit was officially reopened and I’m pleased to say that under the Newman Government, it will remain open.

“We promised at the election to revitalise frontline services and we are delivering.

“Over the past week we have welcomed the arrival of Beaudesert’s first born and bred residents in more than a decade and I’m pleased to say that word has spread fast with more than 220 women already booked in to birth their babies here in 2014.

“Not only will this benefit the people attending Beaudesert Hospital, but it will free up vital services at the surrounding hospitals that these women no longer need to attend.

“Today is also a momentous occasion for all of regional Queensland.

“While the previous Labor Government ignored rural Queensland, taking basic services away from many communities, the Newman Government is committed to returning those services back to local communities.

“In fact, the successful reintroduction of birthing services here in Beaudesert will be a template for the reintroduction of similar services to other Queensland towns like Cooktown and Weipa.

The Minister revealed to the annual conference of Rural Doctors Association a roll out of packages for rural Queensland in August 2012. In less than two years, the Newman Government has delivered:

1. Re-opening of obstetric and procedural services 4 months ahead of schedule
2. The expansion of flying obstetrics and gynaecology services (FOGS) out of Roma
3. Re-opening obstetric and procedural services in other regional areas – Cooktown on track
4. Establishing a Rural and Remote State-wide Clinical Network – achieved and already delivering vital policy changes like the Rural and Remote framework and hospital guarantee

“The Newman Government is delivering on commitments that ensure remote and rural patients can access high-quality health care,” he said.

Mr Springborg said it was important to acknowledge the role of the community, Metro South Health and Hospital Service and many health partners in successfully returning surgical and birthing services to the Scenic Rim community.

“Without the support of the local community and the hard work and persistence of these people and organisations, we wouldn’t be standing here celebrating today,” he said.

“This rural hospital is once again offering high-quality health care for the whole family.”

FAST FACTS

Birthing services

• Beaudesert Birthing Unit was closed by the Labor Government in 2004.
• More than 800 women from the Beaudesert catchment area give birth each year. Approximately half of those women birth at Logan Hospital, with the remainder birthing at public and private hospitals in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
• The reintroduction of birthing services at Beaudesert in March 2014 is being delivered four months ahead of schedule.
• The new birthing service will enable local women with low-risk pregnancies to once again choose to birth in their own community, close to their home, family and friends.
• 220 women have already booked in to give birth at Beaudesert in 2014.

Procedural (surgical services)

• Procedural (surgical) services were re-introduced to the Hospital in May 2013, three months ahead of schedule.
• 150 people have had procedures since the service commenced on 28 May 2013.
• The service provides general minor surgical procedures under local and general anaesthetic and in time, the service will expand to include endoscopy, oral surgery, gynaecological surgery and minor orthopaedics.

[ENDS] 5 March 2014

Media Contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284