16 June 2009

Caring Together with record health investment for Illawarra

The Illawarra will benefit from a $476.8 million investment in better patient care, as part of the NSW Government’s record $15.1 billion health budget for 2009/10.

Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said that represents an increase of $21.8 million for the Illawarra on the previous year.

“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 the Illawarra in 2009/10 includes:
• Funding to double the number of renal dialysis chairs at Shellharbour Hospital to 12 to provide lifesaving dialysis to up to 48 patients per week;
• $3.2 million to improve mental health facilities at the Wollongong Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre; and
• $1.7 million towards the child and adolescent mental health inpatient services at Shellharbour Hospital.
Other key initiatives for the Illawarra include:
• $1.7 million for an additional 6 hospital beds at Wollongong Hospital; and
• $286,000 to roll out 10-hour night shifts for nurses in the Illawarra.

Mr Della Bosca said this budget contains a total 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 a share of $2.8 million for Emergency Physicians in the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service,” the Minister said.

“The Illawarra will also benefit from major information technology initiatives, with $63.1 million allocated across the state in 2009-10 for the upgrading of systems to help staff continue to deliver a high standard of care.

“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 in the Illawarra to ensure local communities 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