03 June 2008

Health funding boost for the Central Coast

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said people living on the Central Coast will benefit from today's $13.15 billion statewide budget investment to upgrade public hospitals, update equipment and enhance the public health workforce.

"The Iemma Government's boost to health funding on the Central Coast delivers on our State Plan priority to improve access to high quality health care across the state," Ms Meagher said.

"People living on the Central Coast will benefit from a $1.26 billion investment in Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service, which is a $38.1 million increase on last year."

Major health spending on the Central Coast in 2008-09 includes:

• Establishment of a 20-bed Medical Assessment Unit at Wyong Hospital to fast-track the treatment of elderly patients and people with chronic illnesses
• 6 new acute beds at Gosford Hospital to provide greater access to hospital care
• $8.3 million as part of a $13 million investment to redevelop Mandala Mental Health Unit at Gosford Hospital
• $5.9 million to complete the $220 million redevelopment of Gosford and Wyong hospitals.

"This investment in new hospital beds, mental health services and better services for older patients and those managing chronic illnesses will provide better access to local health services for people living on the Central Coast," Ms Meagher said.

Central Coast residents will also benefit from investment in a range of health services across the Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service, including:

• $1.8 million for an additional 15 community based places across the Area Health Service to support people in their homes and avoid the need for hospital admission
• 5 additional Midwives and further obstetrics services in response to an almost 20 per cent rise in births across the Area Health Service since 2003-04
• Three Clinical Nurse Educators to increase nursing skills and enhance patient safety
• $3.9 million for the purchase of specialist medical equipment such as blood pressure machines, ECG machines and operating theatre equipment.

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