16 June 2009

Caring Together with record health investment for HNEAHS

The NSW Government is investing $1.27 billion to deliver better services and improve health infrastructure across the Hunter New England Area Health Service in 2009/10.

Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said that represents a $90.4 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 for Hunter New England Area Health Service includes:
• Redevelopment of Narrabri Hospital;
• $9 million state-wide funding including planning for Werris Creek Multi-Purpose Service and Tamworth Hospital;
• $8.3 million for Newcastle Mater Hospital redevelopment (total cost $200 million);
• $8.2 million to complete Maitland Hospital Emergency Department upgrade (total cost $10 million);
• $6.8 million for completion of 20-bed Mental Health Unit at James Fletcher Hospital (total cost $8.9 million);
• $789,000 for Newcastle Mater Hospital maintenance (total cost $24 million);
• Funding for start of construction of Manilla Multi-Purpose Service facility and $488,000 for completion of facility at Merriwa (total cost $10.1 million); and
• $207,000 towards Manning Base Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment (total cost $13.2 million).

Other major health service enhancements for the Hunter New England Area Health Service include:
• $17.7 million state-wide funding for Medical Assessment Units including $2.1 million for an 8-bed Medical Assessment Unit at Calvary Mater;
• $1.7 million for additional Psychiatric Emergency Care Unit beds at Calvary Mater Newcastle;
• $1 million for an additional Intensive Care bed at John Hunter Hospital;
• An additional $893,000 to roll out 10-hour night shifts for nurses at Manilla, Cessnock and Manning Hospitals;
• and
• $100,000 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 $1.3 million for Emergency Physicians and $330,000 for additional allied health coverage for ward rounds in Hunter New England 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 Hunter New England 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