Record investment to restore and expand health services

The Palaszczuk Government’s first Budget will restore balance to the health system with significant investments in frontline services, patient safety and preventive health.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said the Government would invest a record $14.2 billion in health in 2015-16 to support growth in demand for services and deliver its election commitments.

“Real action on waiting lists – not the former LNP Government’s gimmicks – employing more nurses, and upgrading regional hospitals are Labor’s priorities in health,” Mr Dick said.

“We are investing record amounts in health and ambulance services to address key areas of demand and reverse cuts to frontline services made by the former LNP Government.

“We will refocus the health system on patient safety, employ more nurses and midwives, and rebuild preventive health and mental health services that have suffered from a lack of investment.”

The Palaszczuk Government’s investment in health will increase by $2.3 billion over four years to support the ongoing growth in demand for services, and address priority areas of need.  This is in addition to:

• $361.2 million over four years to reduce the number of people waiting longer than clinically recommended for a specialist outpatient appointment

• $193.5 million to enable the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service to reconfigure service delivery across the region in preparation for the opening of the Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital

• $180 million over four years to address the state’s most urgent health infrastructure needs through a new Enhancing Regional Hospitals program funding vital upgrades and repairs at the Roma, Hervey Bay, Gladstone and Caloundra hospitals

• $110.7 million over four years, in addition to internal funding, to offer up to 4,000 additional places to new Queensland nurse and midwifery graduates and 16 new nurse educator positions in Queensland Hospital and Health Services

• $101.6 million over four years, in addition to internal funding, to employ 400 experienced nurses to help patients navigate the health system

• $27.2 million over four years to take action against Type 2 diabetes and chronic disease through the Health for Life! program

• $18.5 million over four years to reinvigorate the Biala Sexual Health Clinic in Roma Street, Brisbane and develop a statewide sexual health strategy

• $11.4 million over four years to restore a school aged nurse service in the Logan area and surrounding suburbs and to expand this service to other vulnerable Queensland communities

• $2.5 million over three years to enable Health Consumers Queensland to independently advocate for patients and their families

• $1.5 million in 2015-16 to enable the Drought Wellbeing Service to continue delivering much needed support to people in drought-affected areas.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring Queenslanders have access to the best possible health care in the public system,” Mr Dick said.

Media contact: Anna Jabour 0403 322 992