16 June 2009

Caring Together with record health investment for NCAHS

The NSW Government is investing $780.3 million to deliver better services and improve health infrastructure across the North Coast Area Health Service in 2009/10.

Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said that represents a $62.6 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 North Coast Area Health Service includes:
• Commonwealth and State funding for redevelopment of Grafton Hospital operating theatres and Emergency Department;
• $16.8 million to complete Integrated Cancer Centre development at Lismore Hospital (total cost $27 million);
• $4.5 million for the rural Cardiac Catheterisation program including the completion of unit at Lismore Hospital; and
• Part of a $15.6 million state-wide allocation to upgrade Ambulance services, including $920,000 for the Byron Bay Ambulance Station redevelopment.

Other major health service enhancements for the North Coast Area Health Service include:
• $17.7 million state-wide funding for Medical Assessment Units including $4.1 million for new 8-bed facilities at Lismore and Coffs Harbour Hospitals;
• $1.7 million for 6 additional beds at Wauchope Hospital;
• An additional $481,000 to roll out 10-hour night shifts for nurses at Grafton and Mullumbimby Hospitals;
• A total of $220,000 for additional trauma coordination at Tweed Heads, Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie Hospitals; 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 $597,000 for Emergency Physicians and $220,000 for additional allied health coverage for ward rounds in North Coast 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 North Coast 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