QUEENSLAND HEALTH REFORMS GUARANTEED
Published Monday, 27 August, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Health Minister Stephen Robertson today assured Queenslanders the Beattie Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan will be fully implemented regardless of who wins the coming federal election.
Mr Robertson said he welcomed the commitment from federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd to improve Australia's health system and ensure better health services for patients in hospitals.
“We are prepared to work with a future Rudd Labor Government to implement his National Health Reform Plan to ensure a Federal takeover of Health in Queensland is not necessary,” he said.
“Our reforms are already delivering more surgery and our $155 million chronic disease strategy is driving improvements to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
“We have also established partnerships with Local Divisions of GPs to boost preventative health care in the community and help keep people healthy and out of hospital.”
Mr Robertson said the State Government’s capital works program was also guaranteed.
“By 2009, our major hospital building projects on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane will be well advanced,” he said.
“In fact, the extra dollars Mr Rudd is offering state health systems will only strengthen our position here in Queensland.”
Mr Robertson said the five-year Health Action Plan was a long-term commitment to improve Queensland’s health system.
“This unprecedented allocation of resources is delivering better health services for Queenslanders,” he said.
“It is helping cut waiting lists, strengthen emergency departments, perform more operations and buy new technology and equipment.
“It’s also delivering more doctors, more nurses, more allied health professionals and better training.”
Mr Robertson said it was pleasing to have a federal leader willing to face up to Commonwealth responsibilities for health.
27 August, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson said he welcomed the commitment from federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd to improve Australia's health system and ensure better health services for patients in hospitals.
“We are prepared to work with a future Rudd Labor Government to implement his National Health Reform Plan to ensure a Federal takeover of Health in Queensland is not necessary,” he said.
“Our reforms are already delivering more surgery and our $155 million chronic disease strategy is driving improvements to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
“We have also established partnerships with Local Divisions of GPs to boost preventative health care in the community and help keep people healthy and out of hospital.”
Mr Robertson said the State Government’s capital works program was also guaranteed.
“By 2009, our major hospital building projects on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane will be well advanced,” he said.
“In fact, the extra dollars Mr Rudd is offering state health systems will only strengthen our position here in Queensland.”
Mr Robertson said the five-year Health Action Plan was a long-term commitment to improve Queensland’s health system.
“This unprecedented allocation of resources is delivering better health services for Queenslanders,” he said.
“It is helping cut waiting lists, strengthen emergency departments, perform more operations and buy new technology and equipment.
“It’s also delivering more doctors, more nurses, more allied health professionals and better training.”
Mr Robertson said it was pleasing to have a federal leader willing to face up to Commonwealth responsibilities for health.
27 August, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680