One by one, Queensland maternity wards have been closing. A roundtable hopes to fix the problem as the state government announces new funding to encourage midwifery and nursing students to the regions.
"It tears our communities apart. We see the next generation pack up and leave because they look to their future when they want to start a family, and if there's not a maternity service they go: 'Well, we'll move elsewhere.'Encouraging students to stay in the regions
The funding, revealed as part of the 2023-24 state budget, is aimed at helping final-year nursing and midwifery students complete their unpaid regional placements in regional, rural and remote Queensland Health facilities.Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said encouraging students to move to regional and rural areas, even temporarily, inspired many of them to return or stay.
"I don't know how many health workers I've met who said 'I came here on a six-month contract and I never left, I fell in love with this regional community'.Ms Fentiman said hundreds of people had already registered their interest in the scheme as students struggle through rising cost-of-living pressures."There is a huge cost to these young people who will be the future of our health workforce," Ms Fentiman said.
"If this is going to come up with those same things it's a waste of everybody's time, but I'm hoping that it will be better," Dr Pecoraro said.Dr Pecoraro said paying locum doctors more and changing the culture in maternity wards would go a long way to fixing the issues."What that means is that obstetricians don't want to be the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff for when things go bad.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Roberts-Smith resigns from Seven QueenslandBen Roberts-Smith has resigned from his role as general manager of Seven Queensland after he lost his defamation case against the Nine newspapers.
Read more »
Queensland Rugby League issued with breach noticeThe National Rugby League (NRL) has today issued the Queensland Rugby League with a breach notice following events that occurred during the State of Origin match on 31 May 2023.
Read more »
Queensland slapped with breach notice for serious offence during Origin openerAs the fallout from State of Origin defeat rages on, SSFCRABBITOHS say Latrell Mitchell will be fit for next week and a game 2 SOS. NRL 7NEWS
Read more »
Queensland to legislate 80 per cent renewable power by 2035Queensland will enshrine a target of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 into law, rising to 80 per cent in 2035, if draft legislation released on Saturday passes state parliament.
Read more »
Thorn 'hurting' as Queensland fluffs finals linesHistory for the Fijian Drua and a nervous wait for the Queensland Reds. 👀 StanSportAU SuperRugbyPacific DRUvRED
Read more »
Handcuffed prisoner escapes from Queensland hospitalA prisoner has escaped from a hospital in Queensland – despite being handcuffed and wearing a leg iron. 9News
Read more »