Planned birthing services have returned to Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service, giving eligible women in Cooktown and surrounding Far North Queensland communities the option to give birth closer to home.
The Queensland Government said the service resumed on 14 September after being unavailable since 2022. Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service has recruited additional obstetric-trained rural generalists, midwives and anaesthetic-trained rural generalists to support the service.
The health service expects about 40 births each year from Cooktown and nearby communities. Eligibility will depend on each woman's clinical circumstances, and families can discuss their options with their healthcare team.
Before the local service returned, some families needed to travel to Cairns four to six weeks before an expected birth. Women may still choose or need to give birth elsewhere depending on preference and clinical advice.
Illustration disclosure: The featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration. It is not a photograph of Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service, its staff or any patient.
