16 June 2009

Caring Together with record health investment in western Sydney

Western Sydney will benefit from a $2.39 billion 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 $124.8 million for western Sydney 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 western Sydney includes:
• Funding for upgrade and expansion of Nepean Hospital. This will involve construction of a new building to accommodate 6 new operating theatres, additional overnight, day-only and extended day-only beds, additional medical assessment beds, expanded intensive care and renal dialysis services and enhanced mental health and oral health services;
• $135 million to continue the major redevelopment of Liverpool Hospital to provide a new clinical services block to include high dependency, maternity, medical, non-acute, paediatric inpatient and surgical services. Reconfiguration of existing clinical services block to include psychiatric emergency care centre, and extension and refurbishment of cancer services; and
• $7 million to complete complementary works and services at new Auburn Hospital.

Other key initiatives for western Sydney include:
• $17.7 million state-wide funding for Medical Assessment Units including a 6-bed expansion at Nepean Hospitals ($1.5 million), 4-bed expansion at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead ($1 million) and a one-bed expansion at Liverpool Hospital ($257,000);
• A total of $3.4 million for 6 additional beds at both Nepean and Campbelltown Hospitals;
• Funding equipment upgrade for Concord Hospital operating theatres;
• $1 million to roll out 10-hour night shifts for nurses at Nepean and Mount Druitt Hospitals;
• $391,000 for severe burns outpatient services at Concord Hospital;
• $100,000 for adult Intensive Care services; 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 $2.6 million for Emergency Physicians and $500,000 for additional allied health coverage for ward rounds in western Sydney,” the Minister said.

“Major information technology initiatives are also a key priority for the Government, 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 western Sydney 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