Palaszczuk Government’s record health budget.

The 2018-2019 budget will spend more on health than any Queensland government.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the $18.3 billion health budget was up $798.7 million on the year before.

“I make no apologies for spending the biggest share of our budget on health,” the Premier said.

“Our most important job is caring for the sick.”

“The State Budget will deliver on commitments we made to Queenslanders at the election and help us deliver the best possible healthcare.

“With the flu season upon us, we are also investing $10 million to deliver the Winter Bed Strategy to help our hardworking doctors and nurses to cope with extra demand over the winter months.”

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said in addition to the $17.3 billion invested in delivering quality health services a further $985.5 million would go towards new and improved health infrastructure in 2018-19.

“Our priority is providing access to the best care for Queenslanders regardless of where they live,” Ms Trad said.

“This Budget delivers on our commitment to deliver more frontline health workers while also building better facilities to meet the needs of our growing State.”

The budget includes:
• $154 million to extend the Specialist Outpatient Strategy
• $106.4 million over four years for community mental health services
• $10 million delivering the Winter Bed Strategy to meet demand in flu season
• 3,500 nurses and midwives over four years to 2020
• 100 ambulance officers in 2018-19
• $14.3 million to deliver a new 42-bed drug rehabilitation facility in Rockhampton
• $281.2 million for the Logan Hospital redevelopment
• $12.6 million for the Logan Hospital Maternity Services Ward redevelopment
• $252.7 million for the Caboolture Hospital redevelopment
• $124.5 million for Stage 1A of the Ipswich Hospital expansion
• $4.7 million for a new MRI in Townsville
• $5 million for a CT scanner at Mareeba and
• $2.8 million for a new cardiac catheter lab in Cairns

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Steven Miles said continuing to deliver more health staff was a key priority.

“You’ll see a health budget that addresses ever-growing demand for public health services across the state,” he said.

“We promised an additional 3,500 nurses and midwives, including 400 Nurse Navigators and 100 midwives, over four years from June 2016 to 2020 to help meet growing demand for hospital services.

“So far, we’ve employed around an extra 2,800 nurses and midwives in our public hospitals across Queensland, including around 210 Nurse Navigators – this budget continues that investment.”

Mr Miles said the Palaszczuk Government was delivering a record budget for ambulance services of $800 million – an $80.7 million increase on last year

“We’re investing in an extra 100 ambulance officers and 85 new and replacement ambulance vehicles will be rolled out across Queensland,” Mr Miles said.

“Our paramedics are on the frontline of providing urgent health care to Queenslanders. That’s why we’re making sure they have the resources and staff they need to deliver this incredibly important service.

“The 85 new and replacement vehicles is in addition to the 150 vehicles we already delivered last year.

“The new vehicles are better than ever before, fitted out with new power assisted stretchers which reduce the strain on paramedics’ bodies.”

In this year’s State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government is investing in Health’s operating budget by a record $17.3 billion in 2018-19, an increase of $729.3 million from the 2017-18 budget.

The Government is boosting health infrastructure. The capital budget will be $985.5 million in 2018-19, an increase of $69.4 million from 2017-18.