Miles Labor Government to massively boost funding for expectant Queensland mothers, if elected this month.
A $20 million investment includes funding for sonographers, specialised doctors, and improved access to antenatal ultrasound scans.
This will increase support and identification of high-risk pregnancies, leading to better birth outcomes for expectant Queensland women and their bubs.
Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman have today announced a $20 million boost to care for expectant mothers across Queensland, if elected this month.
The Miles Labor Government will invest a further $20 million in Queensland’s first and more than $1 billion Women and Girls Health Strategy 2032, to deliver more timely care for expectant mothers across the state.
When designing the strategy, the Miles Labor Government heard from almost 12,000 women and girls about their experiences of the health system, highlighting the need for investment in women and girls’ specific healthcare.
This extra investment will make sure expectant mothers across Queensland receive the critical antenatal scans they need sooner, resulting in better health outcomes for mums and bubs.
Nearly $9 million will go towards hiring up to 45 additional doctors and sonographers to deliver more antenatal scans across the state.
Additionally, $950,000 will go towards the educational resources needed to better support the provision of abortion care in Queensland.
Training would be developed for trainees and specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology, general practice obstetricians, nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives.
It would be delivered by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in partnership with its Sexual and Reproductive Health Committee.
The remaining $10 million will expand our Maternal Fetal Medicine services located at Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville, Logan and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals to boost capacity to ensure more women receive the care they need, when they need it.
This funding will allow women to access vital services earlier in their pregnancies so that clinical teams can intervene when necessary and provide the crucial wrap-around support needed to support families.
No other government cares more about the health and wellbeing of Queensland women than the Miles Labor Government, especially when it comes to the safe termination of pregnancy.
Safe termination of pregnancy is at risk under the LNP, who - given the opportunity - would put women’s healthcare at risk by rolling back these important reforms.
David Crisafulli and the LNP voted to keep abortion a criminal offence and most recently they voted against safe access to MS2 Step.
Senior members of David Crisafulli’s team have made their views on this issue clear, with several breaking ranks this week to declare they will continue their anti-abortion stance.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“Queensland women deserve the right to choose – that’s what I believe.
“I will always protect the rights of women, and today we lock in even more funding to ensure women right around the state have access to more maternal health services, as well as termination of pregnancy services when and where they need it.
“This $20 million boost brings is on top of our $1 billion investment in the Women and Girls Health Strategy because all of Queensland benefits when women are supported.
“This commitment to critical healthcare services for women is all at risk under the LNP, who want to cut health funding and cut a woman’s right to choose.
“Abortion is healthcare and I’m doing what matters to ensure it continues to be treated that way.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
“We know early access to antenatal care is critical to having the best possible outcomes for mums and bubs.
“This commitment means that expectant mothers, particularly those living in rural and regional Queensland, will have faster access to the scans and support they need for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
“I’m incredibly proud that if elected, we will continue to build on our ground-breaking Women and Girls Health Strategy 2032.
“This will ensure every Queensland woman, no matter where she lives, can access high-quality healthcare throughout her pregnancy.
“The LNP has shown time and time again that they want to roll back these essential healthcare services, putting the health and safety of Queensland women at risk.
“The Miles Labor Government will always prioritise the health and wellbeing of women and girls and will continue to stand with them to ensure they can access the care they need, whether that’s antenatal care or safe and legal access to abortion.”
ENDS