ACRRM welcomes this week’s announcement of the return of birthing services in Cooktown, which includes investment in workforce, infrastructure, and team-based continuity of care.
ACRRM president Dr Dan Halliday acknowledge Queensland Labour’s commitment to a recruitment campaign aimed at attracting Rural Generalist obstetricians, as well as the planned delivery of the new Cooktown Hospital by 2028.
“ACRRM supports the provision of high-quality, equitable, culturally safe, woman-centred maternity care which is delivered as close as possible to where women live,” Dr Halliday says.
"There is strong evidence showing that well-managed rural birthing services can achieve outcomes that are as good as, or better than, those in larger centres. Furthermore, the risks to mothers and babies increase when access to these services is limited by distance."
Dr Halliday emphasised that models of care should be shaped by the needs of rural and remote women and their families.
"The current Cooktown Rural Generalists are part of a team delivering a continuum of maternity care including preconception; antenatal and postnatal care. With the addition of advanced GP obstetricians, they will be able to provide access to birthing service as well.”
“Prioritising continuity of care and taking a holistic approach during their pregnancy, is essential”
“It's also critical to develop strong clinical networks and support mechanisms for rural maternity teams, implement realistic and consistent service capability frameworks that are clear to both patients and clinicians, and maintain facility infrastructure, equipment, and staff skills," he added.
ACRRM president Dr Dan Halliday acknowledge Queensland Labour’s commitment to a recruitment campaign aimed at attracting Rural Generalist obstetricians, as well as the planned delivery of the new Cooktown Hospital by 2028.
“ACRRM supports the provision of high-quality, equitable, culturally safe, woman-centred maternity care which is delivered as close as possible to where women live,” Dr Halliday says.
"There is strong evidence showing that well-managed rural birthing services can achieve outcomes that are as good as, or better than, those in larger centres. Furthermore, the risks to mothers and babies increase when access to these services is limited by distance."
Dr Halliday emphasised that models of care should be shaped by the needs of rural and remote women and their families.
"The current Cooktown Rural Generalists are part of a team delivering a continuum of maternity care including preconception; antenatal and postnatal care. With the addition of advanced GP obstetricians, they will be able to provide access to birthing service as well.”
“Prioritising continuity of care and taking a holistic approach during their pregnancy, is essential”
“It's also critical to develop strong clinical networks and support mechanisms for rural maternity teams, implement realistic and consistent service capability frameworks that are clear to both patients and clinicians, and maintain facility infrastructure, equipment, and staff skills," he added.