General News
2 April, 2022
Reassurance on Mareeba maternity unit operations
QUEENSLAND Health has moved to reassure the community that Mareeba’s Hospital maternity unit is operating as normal.
The reassurance came after rumours were circulated that the hospital’s maternity unit has closed.
“These rumours are untrue, and they have no basis in reality,” Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service executive director rural and remote services Tracey Morgan said.
“Mareeba Hospital’s maternity unit is definitely not closing, nor are there any plans to close this vital service.
“There was a period over Christmas and New Year where a doctor took leave unexpectedly and Covid impacts on the health workforce nationwide impacted our ability to recruit a doctor with obstetric qualifications on short notice.
“During this period a small number women were impacted due to their birthing risk factors and birthed at Cairns Hospital.
“The Mareeba team continued to offer low risk birthing as well as ante and post-natal care for the women birthing at Cairns. This situation has been resolved, medical staff recruited, and birthing services continue as normal at Mareeba Hospital.”
