03 June 2008

Major health investment in Greater Western Area Health Service

The Iemma Government is investing $510.1 million to deliver better services and improve health infrastructure across the Greater Western Area Health Service in 2008-09.

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the 2008-09 Health Budget provides an additional $23.6 million for the Greater Western Area Health Service.

Ms Meagher said the investment in the Area Health Service is part of a $13.15 billion State Health Budget aimed at better managing chronic illnesses in the community so that hospitals can continue to provide priority access for people who need acute care.

"For people living in the Greater Western area that means funding for more beds, more doctors and nurses and expanded community health services," Ms Meagher said.

Major health service enhancements for the Greater Western Area Health Service include:

• 3 new acute care beds at Dubbo Base Hospital
• $1 million for an additional 7 community-based care places as part of a statewide program to support people in their home and avoid the need for hospital admission
• $1 million for cardiac services at Orange
• $566,000 to boost renal dialysis services, including specialist dietetic services and vascular services, at Orange and Dubbo
• 5 new Clinical Nurse Educator positions to increase nursing workforce skills and enhance patient safety
• 2 additional Midwifes and further obstetrics services in response to an 18.9 per cent increase in births in the area since 2003-04
• $264,000 to introduce 10-hour night shifts for nurses at Dubbo Base Hospital.

The 2008-09 Health Budget delivers $28 million in capital works funding for the Greater Western Area Health Service.

The $214 million investment in the Orange Hospital Campus Redevelopment will see full construction beginning in 2008-09, with ongoing consultation with clinicians to finalise planning for capacity requirements for the site.

Other capital works funding for 2008-09 includes:

• $4.8 million to start work on the $13 million Coonamble Multi Purpose Service
• $10 million to establish Multi Purpose Services at Balranald and Eugowra
• $2 million to progress planning for the Lachlan Valley Health Service.

Residents of the Greater Western area will also benefit from a $32 million statewide investment in new hospital equipment, including $1.52 million locally for important hospital ward equipment such as blood pressure machines, ECG machines and lifting equipment.

"The Iemma Government is boosting health funding right across the Greater Western Area Health Service to ensure local communities have access to high quality health services closer to home," Ms Meagher said.

Ms Meagher said health spending for the coming year continues the Iemma Government's focus on health promotion, disease prevention and early intervention.

"The Rudd Government has delivered an additional $167 million for NSW in 2008-09 to meet the rising demand on the public health system," Ms Meagher said.

"After years of neglect from the previous Commonwealth Government, this additional funding will allow us to develop new strategies to better manage chronic disease.

"These new strategies will include consolidating referral and access points to community-based services for people with chronic illness, streamlining processes of assessment and care, and promoting chronic disease prevention."

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