Birthing services confirmed for Weipa Hospital
Women living in Weipa and the surrounding Cape York communities will be able to give birth closer to home next year, with work under way on a new $25 million birthing unit in Weipa.
The news was revealed by Cape York Weekly on November 8 but will today be announced by the Queensland government.
Health and Ambulance Services Minister Yvette D'Ath said a low-risk birthing unit was expected to be operational at Weipa Hospital by the end of 2021.
"Families in the Western Cape region deserve the best care we can provide," she said.
"This new birthing unit will mean expectant women in these communities will not have to travel to Cairns to have their babies."
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said two doctors, five midwives and several other health workers would be recruited to staff the unit.
"There will also be increases in the number of operational, administrative and allied health staffing to support the new birthing service," she said.
"The unit will deliver up to 70 babies a year."
Women with higher risk pregnancies will continue to travel to Cairns.
"Work is underway at the hospital to relocate and centralise a number of services and create space for the birthing unit," Ms Lui said.
A total of $900,000 would then be spent next year on installing the birthing unit.