Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, has welcomed news the reopening of birthing services at the Ingham Hospital, after being closed by the Beattie Government in 2006, has been a great success.

Mr Cripps said he was delighted to recently learn that 21 babies (10 girls and 11 boys) had been safely delivered in the first six months of birthing services being provided at the Ingham Hospital.

“When birthing services reopened at the Ingham Hospital on 1 July 2016, it was the result of a decade long campaign by the local community in the Herbert River district” said Mr Cripps.

“I was very proud when former Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg, visited Ingham in January 2015 to announce that birthing services would again be offered at the Ingham Hospital” he said.

“Unfortunately, the commencement of the service was delayed by six months from 1 January 2016, but I appreciated that the recruitment of skilled medical and nursing staff was essential”.

“The former LNP Government oversaw the return of birthing services in the rural hospitals at Beaudesert and Cooktown, as well as approving the return of services to the Ingham Hospital”.

Mr Cripps said the Herbert River district was a proud community and families would take pride in the fact that the next generation of local residents were both born and raised in the area.

“Giving birth to a child is one of the most important times in the lives of mothers and families and it’s reassuring for them to know they can now go through this period in their local community”.

“Previously, mothers and families often had to make plans to relocate to Townsville ahead of the birth, which removed them from their local community and familiar, supportive environments”.

Mr Cripps said the successful return of birthing services to the Ingham Hospital occurred despite Labor claiming on numerous occasions that the service could not be delivered safely.