16 June 2009

Caring Together with record health investment for GSAHS

The NSW Government is investing $607 million to deliver better services and improve health infrastructure across the Greater Southern Area Health Service in 2009/10.

Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said that represents a $37.8 million increase on the previous year and is part of an overall $15.1 billion State health budget.

“This is a record investment by the NSW Government to meet the demands of a growing and ageing population,” the Minister said.

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

“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 NSW Government has built or rebuilt virtually every major hospital and emergency department in the state, but there’s still more work to do.

“The 2009-10 health budget delivers $603 million for capital works as part of a $2.4 billion four-year program to upgrade or re-build a number of health facilities across the state,” the Minister said.

Capital works funding in the 2009/10 budget for Greater Southern Area Health Service includes:
• $1.8 million for a 6-bed interim mental health unit at Bega Hospital (total cost $2.2 million);
• $12.6 million state-wide funding for HealthOnes including Cootamundra ($2.069 million) and Corowa;
• funding for planning for a new Multi-Purpose Service facility at Lockhart;
and • $700,000 for 6-chair renal dialysis satellite service at Queanbeyan Hospital (total cost $900,000).

Other major health service enhancements for the Greater Southern Area Health Service include:
• $950,000 to complete Batemans Bay Ambulance Station (total cost $1.3 million); $843,000 to continue to roll out 10-hour night shifts for nurses at Albury, Bega and Tocumwal;
• $300,000 for additional clinical nursing staff for Intensive Care Unit at Goulburn Hospital;
• $150,000 for additional clinical trauma services staff at Wagga Wagga Hospital; and
• $150,000 to increase clinical nurse educators to expand nursing workforce skills and enhance patient safety.

Mr Della Bosca said this budget contains $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 $361,000 for Emergency Physicians and $110,000 for additional allied health coverage for ward rounds in Greater Southern Area Health Service,” the Minister said.

“The Area will also benefit from a share in $63.1 million in 2009-10 to upgrade business information technology including medical imaging and clinical systems across the state.

“The delivery of major information technology initiatives will help improve patient services and provide necessary information and systems to support staff to continue to deliver the best possible care.

“As part of the Government’s “Keep Them Safe: A Shared Approach to Child Wellbeing” action plan, $3.6 million will be invested to establish a Child Wellbeing Unit within NSW Health – part of a $14.4 million project over four years to improve the health and safety of children.

“NSW Health will also provide $3.6 million to non-government agencies to establish Regional Intake and Referral Services – part of a $23.5 million four-year commitment to improve access to community support services for vulnerable children and families.

"The Rees Government is boosting health funding right across the Greater Southern Area Health Service to ensure local communities continue to have access to high quality health services closer to home,” the Minister said.

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