06 June 2008

More Investment at Liverpool Hospital

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today joined Member for Liverpool Paul Lynch, and Member for Menai Alison Megarrity, to inspect progress on the $390 million redevelopment of Liverpool Hospital and visit patients in the Medical Assessment Unit.

The Iemma Government is investing $1.88 billion to deliver better services and improve health infrastructure across the Sydney South West Area Health Service in 2008-09, an additional $78.7 million over last year.

Ms Meagher said the investment is part of a $13.15 billion State Health Budget aimed at better managing chronic illnesses in the community so that hospitals can continue to provide access for people who need acute care.

“For people living in south-western Sydney that means funding for more beds, more doctors and nurses and expanded community health services,” Ms Meagher said.

“A key aspect of this year’s health spending in the Sydney South West Area Health Service is $106.2 million to continue the major redevelopment of Liverpool Hospital.

“This is the fastest growing region in the state, with the population expected to grow by 325,000 people over the next 20 years. This redevelopment will provide the people of southwestern Sydney with state-of-the-art health care services to meet their needs into the future.”

Member for Liverpool and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch said earlier this year Liverpool Hospital opened a 15 bed Medical Assessment Unit and it will now be expanded.
“Medical Assessment Units are part of a wider strategy to address the challenges of providing health care to a population which is ageing,” Mr Lynch said.

“The number of people aged 75 years and older who are going to public hospital emergency departments is rising by 20 per cent each year and the key challenge is to find the best way to provide the right type of care that these patients need.

“This year’s Budget includes an additional 4 beds at Liverpool Hospital to expand the Medical Assessment Unit to 19 beds.”

Member for Menai Alison Megarrity said residents across south-western Sydney will also benefit from a $32 million statewide investment in new hospital equipment, including $5.82 million locally for important hospital ward equipment such as blood pressure machines, ECG machines and lifting equipment.

“The Iemma Government is boosting health funding right across the Sydney South West area to ensure local communities have access to high quality health services closer to home,” Ms Megarrity said.

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