Less than 24 hours after the Biloela Hospital birthing service reopened, baby Arlie Mae was the first to be born in the upgraded unit and welcomed by the delighted maternity team.
Returned birthing services have already delivered for one Queensland family.
Baby Arlie Mae could not wait to be born at Biloela Hospital, arriving less than 24 hours after the local maternity service reopened.
Her proud parents Bronwyn and Benn were delighted when Arlie decided to come into the world around 2am today (Tuesday 15 September).
Returned birthing services
A new chapter in maternity care has begun in two rural Queensland communities, as planned birthing services returned to Cooktown and Biloela hospitals, allowing eligible women to give birth closer to home.
Maternity services returned yesterday (Monday 14 September), following significant work by both hospital and health services (HHSs) to strengthen local clinical teams, upgrade facilities and establish high-quality, safe and sustainable models of care.
This brings an end to a challenging period where local women and their families from both communities had to travel to other hospitals to give birth.
Over recent months, Central Queensland HHS worked with maternity staff, nurses, medical officers and support teams on training and simulation exercises.
These sessions were designed to strengthen clinical skills, teamwork and emergency response capability.
Maternity team members have welcomed the reopening of birthing services at Biloela Hospital.
Central Queensland HHS Chief Executive Lisa Blackler said the return of birthing was an important milestone for the Biloela community.
I am so proud of the local families, the consumers, the women and everyone that has worked on returning birthing to this community, Ms Blackler said.
Opening referrals means local women can now begin discussing with their healthcare team whether they may be eligible to give birth closer to home.
Source: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/news/maternity-services-return-to-biloela-and-cooktown