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NSW Health

NSW DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH


31 December 2006

2006 sees big improvements across the NSW Health system

Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos today congratulated the state's 100,000 health care workers who have been responsible for significant change and improved health services for the people of NSW during 2006.

"2006 has seen rising demand for emergency care and elective surgery," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"NSW hospitals are treating emergency patients faster and performing more elective surgery at a time when activity in emergency departments has jumped by more than 7% in the last 12 months.

"At the same time, more than 71,500 patients have undergone elective surgery. At December 2005, there were 3,889 people waiting more than twelve months for elective surgery.

"By the end of October 2006 - the most recent figures available - that had been slashed to just 202 people waiting more than twelve months, and we are on track for further reductions," he said.

Mr Hatzistergos said this year's $11.7 billion NSW health budget was an increase of 7.6% or $8333 million on the previous year, allowing the introduction of many new or enhanced services.

"The NSW health system has embarked on a massive $2 billion program of investment in health infrastructure over the next four years including work on new facilities at Auburn, Liverpool, Royal North Shore, the Northern Beaches, John Hunter, Ballina, Orange and Bathurst Hospitals," Mr Hatzistergos said.

Some key achievements include:

  • Protected NSW nurses and other health staff from the Federal Government's unfair industrial relations laws
  • The $1 billion New Direction for Mental Health to significantly boost the range of mental health services available in NSW.
  • Announced six locations for new health 'one stop shops' at Mt Druitt, Manilla, Molong, Cootamundra, Rylstone and Corowa which will bring together GPs, and other community health workers, allied health and other medical professionals.
  • $40 million boost over four years to provide increased dental services ($4 million in 2006/07).
  • $7.9 million for 93 new ambulance officers to improve emergency care in Sydney and rural areas.
  • Improved emergency care for people with a mental illness by rolling out the PECC (Psychiatric Emergency Care Centres) to new locations across the State including units underway at Campbelltown, Wyong, Blacktown and Hornsby in addition to those open at St George, St Vincent's, Liverpool and Nepean Hospitals.
  • Boosted the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) by cutting the eligibility distance and increasing the per km allowance - to assist an extra 11,500 patients and their carers every year.
  • Hosted and organised a national summit on tackling the "ice" or crystal meth-amphetamine problem.
  • The Clinical Redesign Program underway at more than 30 sites across the State to improve emergency access, surgery, mental health and cardiology services.
  • A massive $2 million nurse recruitment campaign aimed at school leavers, former nurses and career changers.
  • Completed the amalgamation of the former 17 Health Services into 8 new Health Services resulting in $36.5 million being reinvested in frontline health care services.
  • Funding for 426 public hospital beds and bed equivalents, building on the 800 beds announced in the 2005/06 Budget, to allow more elective surgery and faster emergency care.
  • A new direction for integrating GP services with hospital care by establishing after hours GP clinics and Integrated Primary Health and Community Care Services.
  • Started work on the major $9.8 million air conditioning of John Hunter Hospital.

    • "With Peter Debnam promising to slash 20,000 public sector workers, it is important to recognise the dedication and hard work of staff across the health system who have achieved these great results over the last year.

    "We are making real progress. There's more work to do, but we are headed in the right direction.

    "The Iemma Government's achievements are in stark contrast to the Opposition's grab bag of unfunded promises.

    "The Member for Vaucluse is prepared to say anything for a headline and the result is a $27 billion list of promises that would risk the State's triple-A credit rating and threaten services.

    For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au

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