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• Newly expanded service provides additional care for women during high-risk pregnancies
• Expansion includes dedicated health care space and fetal cardiology services
• Around 750 women use the service every year

Townsville women can be reassured they will be in safe hands during their pregnancies, with the official opening of the newly expanded maternal fetal medicine service.

The Health Minister today opened the service expansion and new women’s clinic at the James Cook University Hospital.

The Palaszczuk Government has invested $11.2 million into the service over the next four years, which will assist women through complex pregnancies and provide them the comfort of knowing they are in safe hands.

The expansion offers additional fetal sonography rooms, fetal cardiology services, more clinic space and dedicated space for specific health care needs including complex pregnancies and surgical termination services.

Women generally cared for by MFM are high risk with twin or triplet pregnancies, fetal abnormalities, likely to deliver early, or have medical problems such as preeclampsia.

A social worker, psychologist, and Indigenous health worker have also been added to the MFM team to ensure social, emotional, and cultural support is now available in one place for women who need specialised care.

An additional two MFM specialist roles will also be added to the service over the coming months.

The maternal service sees more than 750 women with high-risk pregnancies each year.

This service will provide care not only for Townsville women, but surrounding communities, as far north as Cooktown and far south as Rockhampton.

Quotes attributable to the Health Minister, Shannon Fentiman:

“This service means so much to the women of Townsville and I’m extremely pleased we are able to provide additional care and services to this growing community.

“Having a dedicated space for women, especially those with complex pregnancies or experiencing trauma, is incredibly important.

“Women want to feel supported through every stage of their pregnancy and expanding these services will provide that reassurance.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra Les Walker:

“Townsville University Hospital provides an incredible service for not only the people in this city but throughout North Queensland.

“Investing in expanded services like this is important because it will provide better care for those who need it during what can be a difficult time.”

“I’m proud to be part of the Palaszczuk Government that is investing in our health services in Townsville.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:

“Being a former paramedic I know first-hand how important is to invest in state-of-the-art health services for the community which is what this government is continuing to do.

“We will always back our frontline health staff unlike the LNP who sacked 398 health staff, including 156 nurses from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

“Townsville University Hospital’s expanded maternal fetal medicine and women’s clinic is just one example of the huge investment we are making in health services in the city.”

Quotes attributable to THHS Chief Executive Kieran Keyes:

“Upgrades to the MFM service were recommended as part of a clinical service review undertaken last year by Gold Coast-based MFM specialist Dr Glenn Gardener.

“The review was a proactive step to ensure the long-term sustainability of the MFM service in what we know is a growing speciality.

“In line with Dr Gardener’s recommendations, we have invested in medical, sonography and midwifery staffing.”

Quotes attributable to local mother, Tessa Mittereger:

“My journey to birthing twins Reuben and Rory, now three months old, would not have been possible without MFM.

“I suffer from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or lupus), a disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, and this made my pregnancy high-risk.

“My sisters Meghan, Lucy, and Nadine, and I, have all had varying complications associated with our pregnancies and we’ve all been looked after by the amazing MFM service.

“I guess we’re a complicated lot when it comes to babies, but we’ve been so grateful for the care, guidance, and support of MFM for our family.”