Summary
- Cooktown birthing services restore choice closer to home.
- New midwifery team supports safe, sustainable care.
- Culturally respectful care strengthens community connection.
For Midwifery Manager Debbie Bannan, maternity care is about empowering women with choice.
Debbie has been instrumental in building a midwifery team at Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service, which resumed birthing services from 14 September.
“Re-establishing birthing services in Cooktown is about much more than reopening a service,” Debbie said.
“It is about restoring choice for women and families and giving them the opportunity to birth closer to home, surrounded by their family, support networks and community, within a service that is clinically safe and culturally respectful.”
The resumed service by Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service is a long-anticipated milestone in providing care closer to home for expectant mothers in and around Cooktown.
“For many years, women have had to leave their homes and communities from around 36 weeks of pregnancy to prepare to birth elsewhere,” Debbie said.
“Being able to remain connected to family, community and Country during such a significant time in their lives is incredibly important.”
At the core of the maternity service is Debbie’s team, comprising five midwives, a women’s health nurse and a senior health worker.
Midwife Julia Green relocated to Cooktown in early 2026 specifically to help stand up the service.
“I just can't explain to you how much of an amazing opportunity this is personally and professionally,” Julia said.
“The potential for the scope of midwifery here in Cooktown, is amazing, because they're so supportive of midwifes … it's just so different to anywhere else to be to be supported as a midwife, to be able to do your absolute full scope and be embraced as a midwife.
“This has got an exciting feel to it.”
The Cooktown maternity service has been designed with culturally safe care a foremost consideration. To that end, the attached senior health worker is a unique enhancement.
“Not only does having a senior health worker ensure that our services are culturally respective and appropriate, but it improves the continuity of care that we offer women who are planning to birth here,” Debbie said.
We have worked incredibly hard to build a collaborative, supportive team and a service that is safe, sustainable and responsive to our community. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.”
“Recommencing birthing in Cooktown is a significant milestone for our community. It is incredibly rewarding to know that the work we are doing today will shape the experience of women and families for years to come, and we are excited to welcome the first babies back to Cooktown.”
Read more about maternity services at Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service.