Question on Notice 1374/2025: Birthing services

Topic

Birthing services

Question

QUESTION Will the Minister advise between October 2024 to the latest reportable data (in table format, reported separately by facility) the (a) number of temporary reductions to Clinical Services Capability Framework levels for birthing services and (b) number of patients impacted? ANSWER The Crisafulli Government has released the Queensland Health Workforce Gap Analysis Reports which expose the staggering depths of the Health Crisis left by the former government. The former government’s failure to secure a pipeline of health workers has had major impacts, particularly on rural and remote Queensland, with persistent workforce gaps forcing critical community services to close - including birthing services at Biloela and Cooktown – since 2022. Under the former government, suspended birthing services meant facilities were left to deteriorate to the point they required upgrades. As part of the analysis, Queensland Health has found major workforce shortages left by the former government - and no cohesive pipeline for the future health workforce. The Crisafulli Government is investing in securing the health workforce pipeline. The 2025-26 State Budget delivers funding for 4,500 additional health workers including doctors, paramedics and nurses, as part of the record Health Budget’s $24.1 billion investment into Hospital and Health Service operations. Table 1: Number of temporary reductions to CSCF levels for birthing services Ayr Health Service: 18, Ingham Health Service: 14, Mareeba Hospital: 2, Innisfail Hospital: 7, Goondiwindi Hospital: 1, Beaudesert Hospital: 1. Table 2: Number of patients impacted by temporary reduction to CSCF levels for birthing services Ayr Health Service: 3, Ingham Health Service: 3, Mareeba Hospital: Nil, Innisfail Hospital: 2, Goondiwindi Hospital: Nil, Beaudesert Hospital: Nil.

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