The Theodore community is fuming after again being told its birthing services would definitely not be reintroduced.
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service’s chief executive Steve Williamson met more than 150 community members at a public meeting in Theodore to outline CQ Hospital and Health Service’s plans for the future of Theodore Hospital on Tuesday.
“The decision has been made that planned birthing services will not be reintroduced to Theodore due to an unacceptable risk to women and babies,” he said.
Community member Leah Hewitt said locals were not giving up without another fight and were hoping to have a meeting with the CQ Health Boards who made the decision.
“We would like to point out that Dr Bruce Chater and his team of midwives have successfully delivered more than 1000 babies with success in the past 35 years,” Ms Hewitt said.
“It is statically proven that is it so much better for women to birth locally with the support of their family, community, local obstetrician and midwife.”
Another local Brian Hanna said it was every mothers choice to decide where they birth, and they should be allowed to have that choice.
“CQ Health should go back to the board to propose an exemption for Theodore, as we should be able to utilise the great facilities we have,” Mr Hanna said.
“Our local doctor is very thorough and assesses every mothers’s risk, so let these mother’s decide.”