16 June 2009

Caring Together with record health investment for Children's Hospital at Westmead

The NSW Government is investing $237.5 million to deliver better services and improve health infrastructure at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in 2009-10.

Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said that represents an $18.6 million increase on the previous year and is part of an overall $15.1 billion State health budget.

“Health services must use these funds more wisely than ever, to ensure they can safely treat as many patients as possible,” the Minister said.

“We now invest $41 million a day in one of the finest health systems in the world, with highly-trained and committed staff who deliver some of the best health care services available.

“The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is one of three specialist paediatric facilities in NSW, along with the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick and Newcastle’s John Hunter Children’s Hospital,” the Minister said.

Key budget allocations for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead include:
• $1 million for a 4-bed expansion of Medical Assessment Unit;
• $1 million for an additional neo-natal intensive care bed; and
• $50,000 to increase clinical nurse educators to expand nursing workforce skills and enhance patient safety.

Mr Della Bosca said this budget contains state-wide funding of $117 million to deliver the practical initiatives in the Government’s Caring Together: The Health Action Plan for NSW to help doctors, nurses and allied health staff focus on patient care.

“That includes $547,000 for Emergency Physicians and $110,000 for additional allied health coverage for ward rounds for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead,” the Minister said.

“The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is at the forefront of providing world-class care to sick and injured children.

“The NSW Government’s investment in frontline services at the hospital will ensure it continues to not only provide world class health services to the local community but also children and families across the state.

“The Rees Government is boosting funding at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead to improve services for the future and ensure the hard working staff has the latest medical equipment and modern work environments to provide higher quality care for sick and injured children,” the Minister said.

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