We believe that expecting mums in regional Queensland deserve the same level of health care as those in the cities.

As someone who was born in a regional hospital, I understand how important these services are to rural and regional families.

It was great to see the 1000th baby born recently at the Beaudesert Hospital, following the re-opening of maternity services by the LNP.

This comes on the back of the restoration of maternity services at the Chinchilla Hospital – after being shut down for almost a year.

While the LNP re-opened services, Labor’s record is shutting down dozens of maternity services across large parts of regional Queensland.

That’s because we strongly believe that Queenslanders deserve a world-class health system no matter where they live.

We will continue the fight to see services return to Theodore as well.

Our hardworking nurses, midwives, doctors and paramedics in regional Queensland need more support to improve frontline health services in the bush.

Labor’s priority seems to be wasting taxpayers’ money changing the names of hospitals, rather than improving patient care.

As a nurse, I know how important local maternity care is across regional Queensland.

We need to help expecting mums have their babies as close to home as they can.

Ros Bates MP

Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services

A big thank you to RACQ Lifeflight rescue members and police especially Anne and mustering pilot who rescued my nephew last Sunday.  (See story page 6).

Rosemary Malcolm   

Campbelltown, NSW 

November wass Lung Cancer Awareness Month and we’re urging all North Queensland locals to help raise awareness of the disease, reduce their risk and support those affected.

Lung cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women and is the leading cancer-related cause of death in Queensland. In North Queensland alone, around 135 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

The main symptoms of lung cancer are a new dry cough or change in a chronic cough, chest pain or breathlessness, repeated bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis, or coughing or spitting up blood.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have cancer, but it’s important to talk to your general practitioner if you experience them, so they can be checked.

While there are many factors that can contribute to lung cancer, we do know that smoking is the leading cause - and because of this many patients, particularly non-smokers, can feel stigmatised by their illness.

A cancer diagnosis is isolating – but it can be especially tough if there is stigma involved. 

Stigma contributes to psychological distress, negatively impacting on the patient’s quality of life and sometimes, tragically, influencing treatment decisions.

More education and awareness is needed to diminish lung cancer stigma, and with your help, we can ensure that no one goes through lung cancer alone. 

If you or someone you know is affected by lung cancer, please call Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 for access to a comprehensive range of cancer publications, confidential support and referrals, or visit our website, cancerqld.org.au.

Chris McMillan 

Cancer Council Queensland CEO