15 November 2007

More beds for NSW public hospitals

NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, today announced a multi-million dollar package of improvements to relieve pressure in NSW Public Hospitals.
In the remainder of this financial year, the $30 million funding package includes:

• An extra 150 acute care beds for hospitals which have experienced high levels of growth in demand;
• More than $3.6 million in 2007/08 for 22 additional emergency specialist positions to support our busiest emergency departments;
• A campaign to support recruitment of medical staff to areas of shortage, including dedicated local support, targeting emergency and mental health;
• Promoting the role of Nurse Practitioners with a clarification of this role;
• Promoting ED nursing as a specialty through scholarships and targeted further education programs.

Funding will also be provided for the training networks to expand the number of ED professionals in rural and regional NSW. The package includes funding to up-skill non specialist doctors through a program co-ordinated by the Institute of Medical Education and Training.
“This package will fund an additional 150 acute care beds – over and above the 456 beds and bed equivalents announced at the time of the budget,” Ms Meagher said.
“Some of the Community bed equivalents announced in the budget will be converted into extra acute care beds – resulting in an extra 250 acute care beds in NSW public hospitals. The beds will be targeted at relieving the pressure in hospitals which have experienced double digit growth in their Emergency Departments.
“Funding for the new package follows discussions with the Emergency Care Taskforce. I have asked my Director General to work with the Taskforce on the detail of the placement of these additional beds. This package funds more beds, a workforce recruitment package and provides greater employment flexibility.”
Ms Meagher said the Taskforce would continue to develop strategies addressing three main areas of concern - Staffing and Workforce, Increased Demand at Emergency Departments and Communication with Hospital Management.
“The package demonstrates the Government’s commitment to relieve the pressure from our public hospital doctors and nurses,” Ms Meagher said.
“But while the NSW Government is funding additional growth and additional beds with a record $12.5 billion Budget for 2007/08, the Howard Government is offering nothing.
“In his campaign launch on Monday, Prime Minister John Howard failed to provide any extra funding for public hospitals, despite spending over $9.4 billion in only 15 minutes.”
In 2006/07, 1.9 million people presented at our major emergency departments for treatment - that’s approximately 5,000 people each and every day. In July this year, there was an increase in presentations of 10.9 percent compared to July last year.
“The rollout of new beds will initially focus on hospitals with a high volume of patients, and double digit growth in Emergency Department presentations and admissions,” she said.
“Hospitals in this category include John Hunter, Liverpool, RPA, Bankstown, Campbelltown, St George, Wollongong, St Vincent’s, Nepean, Westmead, Royal North Shore and Gosford.
“I look forward to working with the Emergency Care Taskforce to help determine the best way to integrate these beds into the hospital system.”

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au