Closure of Cairns Private Hospital Maternity Unit

Eligibility - Queensland citizens
Principal Petitioner:
Shaquille Chong
1 Sebastiano Close
MAREEBA QLD 4880
Total Signatures - 2083
Sponsoring Member: The Clerk of the Parliament
Posting Date: 18/10/2023
Closing Date: 25/10/2023
Tabled Date: 26/10/2023
Responded By: Hon Shannon Fentiman MP on 23/11/2023
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

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.