Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 03:00 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier Announces $50M Injection to Take More Pressure Off Health
Premier Anna Bligh announced in Parliament today that the Government would invest an additional $50 million to further tackle record patient demand in Queensland hospitals.
Ms Bligh said the recurrent funding, approved as part of the Government’s mid-year review process, would enable Queensland hospitals to carry out more elective surgeries and enable clinicians to take immediate action to relieve pressures in other essential areas.
“While the mid-year budget review is still being finalised, I have indicated in recent weeks that health would be a major focus in the process, and this funding delivers on that commitment,” Ms Bligh said.
“The funding increases Queensland Health’s annual budget this year from $7.15 billion to a new record of $7.2 billion - $700 million more than last year and more than double the 1997-98 budget allocation,” she said.
Ms Bligh said Queensland Health would allocate the funds to hospitals across the state as part of its own annual mid-year review process.
The Premier also recognised the significant inroads achieved since the Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan began two years ago – highlighted in Queensland Health’s Quarterly Public Hospitals Performance Report released today.
“The report delivers on our commitment to openly inform Queenslanders about the performance of our health system and sets a new national benchmark for transparency and accountability,” Ms Bligh said.
“It shows that Queensland hospitals are treating more patients than ever before. During the September quarter almost 30,000 elective surgeries were undertaken – more than in any other quarter since our system reforms began two years ago.
“This is a significant achievement as Queensland continues to grapple with the challenges of an aging population and a rapidly growing state, but the report also reminds us there is more work to be done.
“Managing waiting lists remains a huge challenge for our hospitals –in Queensland and across the country - and our $50 million commitment today will help address this,” she said.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the Bligh Government remained tirelessly committed to delivering timely and effective quality health care to Queenslanders.
“These significant new funds will ensure we continue to make further inroads to meeting the ever increasing levels of demand on our public system,” he said.
Media contact: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3234 1185 (Minister Robertson’s office)
Ms Bligh said the recurrent funding, approved as part of the Government’s mid-year review process, would enable Queensland hospitals to carry out more elective surgeries and enable clinicians to take immediate action to relieve pressures in other essential areas.
“While the mid-year budget review is still being finalised, I have indicated in recent weeks that health would be a major focus in the process, and this funding delivers on that commitment,” Ms Bligh said.
“The funding increases Queensland Health’s annual budget this year from $7.15 billion to a new record of $7.2 billion - $700 million more than last year and more than double the 1997-98 budget allocation,” she said.
Ms Bligh said Queensland Health would allocate the funds to hospitals across the state as part of its own annual mid-year review process.
The Premier also recognised the significant inroads achieved since the Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan began two years ago – highlighted in Queensland Health’s Quarterly Public Hospitals Performance Report released today.
“The report delivers on our commitment to openly inform Queenslanders about the performance of our health system and sets a new national benchmark for transparency and accountability,” Ms Bligh said.
“It shows that Queensland hospitals are treating more patients than ever before. During the September quarter almost 30,000 elective surgeries were undertaken – more than in any other quarter since our system reforms began two years ago.
“This is a significant achievement as Queensland continues to grapple with the challenges of an aging population and a rapidly growing state, but the report also reminds us there is more work to be done.
“Managing waiting lists remains a huge challenge for our hospitals –in Queensland and across the country - and our $50 million commitment today will help address this,” she said.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the Bligh Government remained tirelessly committed to delivering timely and effective quality health care to Queenslanders.
“These significant new funds will ensure we continue to make further inroads to meeting the ever increasing levels of demand on our public system,” he said.
Media contact: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3234 1185 (Minister Robertson’s office)