Closure of Cairns Private Hospital Maternity Unit
Eligibility - Queensland citizens1 Sebastiano Close
MAREEBA QLD 4880
Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House the recent closure of the Cairns Private Hospital Maternity Unit. Recently, two private Obstetricians were knocked back on their offer to treat public patients in return for being able to birth their private patients in public hospitals when the local private maternity unit closes. If private Specialists Obstetricians are unable to assist both public and private patients in Far North Queensland (FNQ) the region is at risk of losing valuable women’s health services. This proposal is a great opportunity to help close the workforce shortages and retain our valuable Doctors in the region to support women’s health.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to:
(1) Request the Minister for Health consider the proposal of private Obstetricians to treat public patients in return for being able to birth their private patients in public hospitals.
(2) Do all in its power to stop Hospital and Health Services from blocking private specialists from practising in public hospitals in FNQ.
(3) Request the Minister for Health to meet with the FNQ community to discuss and address this ongoing concern.