Patients first in Metro North Hospital and Health Service budget

Health funding in Metro North will jump $213.1 million next financial year to help ensure patients receive the best possible care.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the budget for Metro North Hospital and Health Service would be $2.386 billion in 2016-17, an increase of 9.8 per cent on last financial year.

The funding is part of a billion dollar boost to health in Queensland, with the statewide budget reaching $15.274 billion in 2016-17.

Mr Dick said the bulk of the $15.274 billion would go to the 16 hospital and health services.

“Our government has committed to restoring frontline services, and we are delivering a Budget which reflects this priority,” he said.

“This funding is vital to deliver on our vision of making Queenslanders among the healthiest people in the world by 2026.”

Mr Dick said the latest budget included funding to help Metro North HHS deliver on the key directions of the government’s recently announced 10-year health vision, Advancing Health 2026 – promoting wellbeing, delivering health care, connection healthcare and pursuing innovation.

“Increases for Metro North HHS include funding for new nurses and funding to support additional services,” he said.

Significant investments in 2016-17 include:

• Continuation of $27.5 million state funding to further reduce the number of outpatients waiting longer than clinically recommended;
• $1.7 million state funding to reduce the number of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) patients waiting longer than clinically recommended;
• $3.3 million to continue to recruit additional Nurse Navigators, Nurse Graduates and Nurse Educators to support the government’s commitment to improve patient care;
• $3.1 million for the integration of the clinical operation of the University Of Queensland Oral Health Centre with Metro North HHS Oral Health Services; and
• $490,000 for a dedicated women’s cancer genetic service.

Further investments agreed as part of the Service Agreement for 2016-17 post-finalisation of the Service Delivery Statement include:

• $46 million Commonwealth growth funding in recognition of the over-delivery of activity expected in 2016-17;
• An additional $5.5 million of state funding to continue to reduce the number of outpatients waiting longer than clinically recommended; and
• Additional $5 million to accommodate paediatric activity increases at the Prince Charles Hospital and throughout the HHS.

Mr Dick said Metro North HHS was performing well, with the number of ready-for-care elective surgery long waits reducing from 71 at 30 January 2016 to 41 at 30 April 2016.

“Metro North HHS is making strong inroads when it comes to reducing waiting lists, and this Budget funding will further bolster this initiative and help the service deliver even stronger results in this area, among others,” he said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Andrew Fraser 0428 690 679