Significantly boosting hospital services and emergency care, as well as supporting families across the State, are top priorities of the NSW Budget 2018, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard announced today.

More than $2.3 billion will be invested in capital, on top of almost $23 billion in recurrent spending over the coming year, taking the total health budget to more than $25 billion.

Mr Perrottet said the recurrent funding provides for almost half a million more emergency attendances, elective surgeries and non-admitted patient services.

“This record Budget will ensure patients across the State get world-class, timely care in our hospitals and health services no matter where they live,” he said.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have invested more in health than any Government before, and will continue to deliver a major capital program of new and upgraded health facilities as part of a record $8 billion investment over the next four years.”

Mr Perrottet said the Budget also added 1,370 health staff, including 950 nurses and midwives, 300 medical practitioners and 120 allied health professionals – resulting in a record frontline clinical and clinical support staff of over 105,000.

“This year’s staffing boost means that since 2011, there have been more than 16,000 nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health professionals and hospital support staff added to better serve the community,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The NSW Government continues to deliver the strongest economy in the country and is not only building more hospitals and delivering better health services but investing in our greatest health asset – the amazing staff who care for our patients.”

Mr Hazzard said this year’s Budget delivers on the Government’s 2015 election commitment to employ 360 new specialised nursing, midwifery and support positions and provide extra training positions for medical, allied and oral health.

“This Budget shows the Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to creating healthy communities, and is delivering vital, world-class health services closer to home right across NSW.”

The health highlights in the Budget include:

• an additional $759 million for acute hospital services, providing:
• 40,000 extra emergency department attendances in addition to the 2.9 million currently provided
• 3,200 elective surgeries in addition to the 225,500 currently provided
• 52,000 acute inpatient admissions
• 400,000 more non-admitted patient services on top of the 13.9 million provided
• more than $2.3 billion in capital works funding to continue building and redeveloping hospitals, health facilities and ambulance stations, as part of a record $8 billion investment over the next four years
• $2.1 billion for mental health services, including $20 million to upgrade mental health facilities as part of a $700 million statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program
• $115 million in medical and scientific innovations to help fight diseases, including $60 million for cardiovascular medical research over four years ($150 million over 10 years)
• $944 million in NSW Ambulance services, including $23.7 million for 200 more paramedics and 13 more call centre staff (700 paramedics and 50 call centre staff over four years)
• $38 million to tackle obesity, including $25 million for childhood obesity
• a new $35.3 million Parents Package to support pregnant women and babies, including 100 more midwives to support maternity services and additional nurses for more postnatal home visits ($157 million over four years)
• $27.1 million for palliative care support, as part of the Government’s $100 million palliative care package
• An additional $12 million on drug and alcohol services, including expanding youth services, residential rehabilitation and treatment for pregnant women ($850 million over four years)
• $10 million to deliver increased dental services
• $8.1 million to recruit a further 80 new specialised nursing, midwifery and support positions, fulfilling the Government’s 2015 election commitment to employ an additional 360.