Say No to Cuts to Dental and Midwifery Services

It was really disappointing to read in The Reporter a few weeks ago about the potential cuts to dental services in Logan, following on from other state LNP cuts to local midwife services.

Many of Logan’s most vulnerable residents, including the elderly and those on low incomes, depend on the Logan Community Dental Clinic to maintain good oral health.

With uncertainty around the future of this clinic, a large number of people have approached me with their concerns.

These flagged cuts to dental services in our area are on top of previously-announced cuts to health facilities in Logan.

As expectant mothers in our area may be aware, the Queensland State Government has recently abolished local community midwifery clinics at Browns Plains, Beenleigh, Crestmead, Eagleby, Jimboomba, Logan Central and Springwood.

My Mum has worked for many years as a midwife, so I understand the important role that midwives play to assist women going through the excitement and stress of pregnancy and childbirth.

In Logan, many of the mothers using community midwifery services are from disadvantaged and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. For these women, access to home visits is so important, as it can be difficult and uncomfortable to take public transport to Logan Hospital while pregnant or while caring for a newborn child.

Unfortunately, our community has been hit harder than most by Campbell Newman’s cuts to the Queensland Health budget. It’s really sad for the parents and community members who will miss out on home midwifery services and quality dental care.

Although these cuts are to a State Government program, since some of the funding comes from the Federal Government, I will continue to do what I can to advocate for the best possible health services for our local area.

I know the local Labor state candidates, including Shannon Fentiman in Waterford, Mick de Brenni in Springwood and Linus Power in Logan, are also actively standing up against these cuts.

Our community deserves better health services for all our residents and the State government’s cuts just aren’t good enough.

#loganreporter #health