Bus route overlooks pregnant women

PREGNANT women will have to travel two and a half hours to the new University hospital after TransLink failed to include a new route to the hospital for Noosa residents.
Councillor Ingrid Jackson has slammed the decision, saying TransLink has failed to consider Noosa’s needs and is leaving mothers-to-be vulnerable.
With the current bus routes, new mothers and pregnant women will have to travel to the new University hospital by catching a bus from Noosa to Maroochydore and then changing to a direct service to the hospital.
Cr Jackson said the lack of a new route between Noosa and the new hospital would particularly affect mothers-to- be and people who need treatment for acute medical conditions.
“The present maternity ward and birthing suite at Nambour Hospital together with many facilities for people with acute conditions will be transferred to the new hospital next year, but no appropriate bus route has been established to cope with the change,” she said.
Cr Jackson said ease of transport should be a major consideration in planning for access to a hospital, and was calling on the State Government to address the issue.
A TransLink spokesperson said Noosa residents had been considered in the planning of the new network.
“Customers from Noosa using their existing Maroochydore services will be able to change buses easily at Maroochydore station on the same platform and connect to our new proposed service 611, which would take them directly to the hospital,” the spokesperson said.
The TransLink spokesperson said information sessions about the new network would be held in Caloundra, Kawana, Buderim, Sippy Downs and Maroochydore, but not Noosa.
Noosa residents can have their say via TransLink’s online portal that is open for public comment until 14 August. Anyone who would like to make a submission can visit www.translink.com.au.