RE: RESTORE MATERNITY SERVICES TO THEODORE CQHHS

 We, the community of Theodore and surrounds call upon Queensland Health and the Central Queensland Hospital Health Service to restore the full operation of our maternity unit.

 Closing the maternity unit to include emergency birth only, disadvantages women and families in Theodore and surrounding districts by limiting their access to maternity care. The consequences for local women not having access to a fully operational maternity unit include:

·      Fragmented maternity care

·      Significant financial burden

·      Separation of families

·      Travel in labour

·      Increase risk of roadside births

·      Increase in psychological stress

·      Increase neonatal mortality and morbidity

 Small rural maternity units are vital services for local regional women and should be supported not closed. Mothers and babies are placed at risk when these services are not available locally.

Our hospital was shut without community consultation, this renders this decision invalid as it is contrary to Standard 2: Partnering with Consumers. The community of Theodore demand the establishment of a community committee for the hospital.

We the undersigned hereby would like to show our support that we are against the closure of Theodore’s Maternity Unit. We believe that it is a necessary, valuable and worthy asset to our township and community.