A massive $2.7
billion will be invested in capital on top of $24 billion in recurrent spending
over the coming year – taking the total 2019-20 health budget to $26.7 billion.
“This record
$26.7 billion health budget shows the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government
is committed to improving services in the regions, supporting families and
boosting jobs in regional and rural communities,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The recurrent
funding investment will focus on families with additional funding providing an
extra 8,000 paediatric operations and 10,000 cataract surgeries over the next
four years.”
Mr Hazzard said
this record Budget will see the first stage of an unprecedented boost to the
frontline workforce with an extra 8,300 staff over the next four years under a $2.8
billion commitment – 45 per cent of staff to go to the regions.
In addition, the
second tranche of paramedics and call centre staff will be deployed from the
record 750 boost to workforce announced in last year’s Budget.
“The NSW Liberals
& Nationals Government is investing in our greatest health asset – the
amazing staff who care for our patients,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This record Budget will ensure patients, their families and those
in regional communities already doing it tough in drought-affected areas
continue to get timely, world-class care, no matter where they live.”
Health highlights in the Budget
include:
- $2.8 billion to recruit a
total of 8,300 frontline health staff over four years.
- $10.1 billion over four years
to invest in NSW’s health infrastructure to continue current works and commence
upgrading and building a further 29 hospital and health facility projects, as
well as ensure compliance with new leasing standards.
- $70 million over four years
to provide 35 new free mobile dental clinics allowing access to dental checks
and basic dental care for up to 136,000 primary school children in Western
Sydney, Mid North Coast and the Central Coast each year.
- $42 million over four years
to provide women with greater choice around IVF services and a partnership with
the University of NSW for the first state-wide fertility preservation service
for young cancer patients at The Royal Hospital for Women.
- $76 million over four years
to boost elective surgery, focusing on children and cataract patients, with
delivery of an additional 8,000 paediatric operations and 10,000 cataract
surgeries in addition to the investment in frontline staff.
- $27.1 million to employ 221
paramedics and call centre staff (second tranche of record 750 workforce
announced last year) to improve response times, reduce paramedic fatigue and
support safety.
- $23.5 million for mental health
to expand the capacity of Lifeline and Kids Helpline over four years.
- $45 million over four years
in palliative care for 100 palliative care nurses, Aboriginal health workers,
digital health solutions and the refurbishment of existing facilities. This is
in addition to a $100 million package for palliative care that was announced as
part of the 2017-18 Budget.
- In 2019-20, the Government will invest $2.9 billion in the Health capital
program, which includes $148 million from the Ministry of Health’s recurrent
expense budget and $78 million for lease acquisitions.