Health groups to get funding reprieve

Queensland health service organisations set to lose their funding in changes laid out in the Commonwealth Government’s 2014-15 Budget will receive a year’s reprieve from the State Government.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said Commonwealth budgetary constraints imposed negative impacts on Queensland.

“While the state hesitated to spread its health resources even further, it was necessary to provide some relief for Queenslanders reliant on programmes affected by the sudden changes,” Mr Springborg said.

“I am pleased to announce that the Queensland Government will provide $14.2 million to meet next financial year’s funding shortfall resulting from the recent Federal Budget announcement to cease the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health.

“This means that non-government organisations, health services and universities will not suffer any reduction in payments in 2014-15 for their preventative health partner projects, and that the good work being done to improve childhood and worker health will continue.

“This government will also campaign strongly for the Commonwealth to reinstate its support for the programs listed under the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health.”

“Even with a 6.4 per cent increase in health spending to $13.6 billion in last week’s budget, without Commonwealth support Queensland will be hard-placed to meet our aim of making Queensland the healthiest state.”

The National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health funded popular programs such as PEACH, done in conjunction with the Queensland University of Technology, the Good Start Program, Workplaces for Wellness, Get Healthy, Food for Sport, and Learning Eating Active Play Sleep (LEAPS).

“These programs were particularly important in creating healthy behaviours in children, setting them up for a lifetime of good health and wellbeing, and also addressing people in the workplace where many of us spend two-thirds or more of our time,” Mr Springborg said.

“It is important for the community to know that Queensland Health remains committed to improving services and reducing health inequalities and burdens across the state.”

[ENDS] 11 June 2014

Media Contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230

Fast facts: · Funding reprieve will be provided to projects co-ordinated by:

o Queensland Children’s Activities Network (QCAN) o Queensland University of Technology
o Local Government Association of Queensland
o Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
o UrbanTrans ANZ Pty Ltd
o LaTrobe University
o Queensland Association of School Tuckshops
o Central Queensland University
o Diabetic Association of Queensland
o Playgroup Association of Queensland