Record health budget boosts frontline services

Published Tuesday, 04 June, 2013 at 02:30 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Treasurer and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Tim Nicholls

Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg

Hospitals across the state are set to share in a record $12 billion health operating budget.

A $532.7 million increase for the 2013-14 financial year will bring the Department’s total operating budget to $12.326 billion, an increase of 4.5 per cent on last year’s record Budget.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg welcomed the increase, stating the health budget had increased by 11.6 per cent since the government came to power.

“I thank the Government for recognising the vital needs of the health sector after years of neglect under successive Labor governments, needs made worse by a sudden reduction in federal funding last financial year,” Mr Springborg said.

“Almost 84 per cent of Queensland Health’s total operating budget will go directly to its 17 Hospital and Health Services and certain private healthcare providers for the provision of public services.

“This means local people will make decisions on how their budget will be spent in their region.”

The Department of Health will purchase public services from Mater Health Services, St Vincent’s Hospital, Noosa Hospital and the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital (from December 2013) in 2013-14.

Key highlights of the 2013-14 operational health budget include:

·         $147 million over four years, as part of a total $327 million program, to address the backlog of maintenance inherited from the former government at health facilities across the state

·         $80.8 million over four years to enable better access to health care services for Queenslanders in regional, rural and remote communities 

·         $5.8 million to address the current waiting list for adults, adolescents and children requiring cochlear implants

·         $28.3 million over four years for additional Hospital in the Home services to be provided by the private sector

Mr Springborg said in addition to the operating budget, more than $1.3 billion would be invested in health facility projects in 2013-14, including:

·         the continuation of major hospital developments such as the Gold and Sunshine Coast University hospitals, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Cairns Base Hospital and the Townsville Hospital

·         $5.6 million to establish an ambulatory cancer day therapy unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital

·         $45.9 million to upgrade health facilities in rural and remote areas

Mr Springborg said a major restructure of the Department of Health meant more funding could be diverted to the frontline in this year’s budget.

“A decentralised health system and the implementation of a purchaser-provider model has contributed to a more efficient delivery of public health services than ever before,” he said.

The Government outlined its plan for a contemporary and sustainable health system with the release of the Blueprint for Better Healthcare in Queensland in February this year.

“The Blueprint is about outlining how we can deliver a sustainable health system for the future and ensure we get value for every dollar spent on health.

“We have put an end to the waste and I look forward to being able to do more with the health dollar as the benefits of local decision-making are fully realised.”

Mr Springborg said Queenslanders were getting a more open and transparent health system under this Government.

“In the last 18 months we have opened up the health department for scrutiny – regularly reporting hospital performance in local newspapers, as well as recommending a new Health Ombudsman be established to better manage health system complaints and issues.

“We are about creating a safe, sustainable, efficient and innovative health system that all Queenslanders can benefit from, and this budget is helping us to do just that.”

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the 2013-14 Budget focused on core service delivery.

“The Newman Government’s second State Budget is centred on growing the economy, rebuilding Queensland and making our communities more resilient for the future,” he said.

“Continuing the task of repairing the State’s finances is vital if we are to deliver better services, which the people of Queensland expect and deserve.”

[ENDS] 4 June 2013

Media contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230