Archived News for Health Sector Professionals

The Northern Territory Government has announced a $150 million investment in health and hospital health infrastructure. The package, announced in the lead up to the Territory’s 2011-12 budget, includes the construction of a new Palmerston hospital.

The purpose-built Palmerston hospital will include a 24-hour emergency centre, up to 60 in-patient beds and a number of specialist services.

The Federal Government will provide $70 million towards the $110 million Palmerston hospital project from its Health and Hospitals Fund (HHF) while the NT Government will provide the additional $40 million.

$75 million injection for regional Queensland mental health

The Federal Government has announced a $75 million injection in regional Queensland mental health in the 2011-12 Federal Budget. The funding is aimed at creating 134 new mental health beds in the state’s regional areas.

$13.75 million for North Queensland health

The Federal Government has announced a total of $13.75 million in investment in local hospital and mental health services in North Queensland.

$6.6 million for Rockhampton health

The Federal Government has announced a $6.6 million injection for the Rockhampton Mater Misericordiae Hospital in the 2011-12 Budget.

$26.07 million for Victorian Cancer Care Service

The Federal Government has announced a $26.07 million contribution towards the construction of a Cancer Care Service that will care for the residents of Geelong and the surrounding Ballerine Penninsula.

Boost to WA paramedic numbers

The Western Australia Government has announced the planned recruitment of an additional 309 paramedics and officers over the next four years following a review of the state’s St John ambulance services.

Funding boost for Frankston and Echuca hospitals

The Victorian Government has announced a $36 million injection into Frankston hospital for the facility’s redevelopment and expansion.

NT budget boosts health spending

The Northern Territory health portfolio has been allocated a record $1.115 billion in the 2011-12 budget, a $25 million rise on last year.

ACT Health shows more staff, bed and services

The latest report into public hospital performance in the ACT has found increased efficiency, more clinical staff and higher than average bed capacity provided to the Canberra community.

Health report shows improvement

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released on April 29 shows an increase of 378 beds since the Federal Government’s $20 billion health injection in 2008.

Skills shortages in NSW hinder recovery

Skills shortages are continuing to have a significant impact on business performance in New South Wales, according to the recently released NSW Business Chamber - Commonwealth Bank Business Conditions Survey for the March 2011 quarter.

Nominations called for WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards

Co-workers can nominate a nurse or midwife in a range of categories, encompassing all aspects of health care.

Health reform simulation to feed into reform process

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) is convening a National Health Reform Simulation Event on 21-22 June in Canberra. The simulation will test the Commonwealth and state governments’ health reform plans and will contribute to their effective implementation.

PSA proposes pharmacists for Medicare Local

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is lobbying for pharmacists and other allied health professionals to be included in the government’s health reform agenda.

Funding allocated for Royal Hobart Hospital

The Federal Government has committed $240 million to a major upgrade of the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Study to assess HWA Workforce Innovation and Reform program

Health Workforce Australia (HWA) has called for tenders to undertake a case study on the delivery of the HWA Workforce Innovation and Reform: Caring for Older People (CfOP) program, as an example of the delivery of a national change program in workforce reform.

Scientists continue campaign against NHMRC budget cuts

Scientists are continuing to campaign against feared cuts to the National Health and Medical Research Council funding in next month's federal budget, amid hopes that the Federal Government may have decided against the $400 million cut.

MAV warns about proposed aged care overhaul

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has called for public sector and not-for-profit community care agencies to be preserved in any reforms to the aged care system.

The association said it was critical that the needs of vulnerable people who rely on community care services, who remain living in their own homes are not undermined by the proposed centrally managed, market-based national service system.

Councillor Bill McArthur, MAV president said it was disappointing the Productivity Commission draft report into Caring for Older Australians hadn’t given sufficient weight to the high quality home and community care services already provided by local government in Victoria.

“Councils are currently the largest public sector provider of community care for elderly Victorians and people with a disability,” he said.

“Far from operating for profit, local government has voluntarily contributed 33 per cent or over $100 million a year to the overall cost of commonwealth-state aged care programs delivered by councils. “

According to Cr McArthur when a family wishes to receive care for their elderly parent, they can currently go to a council for their assessment and service delivery.

“The Productivity Commission is proposing a central assessment and allocation of dollars to an individual who is then left to choose their own service provider/s,” he said.

“While councils have traditionally plugged the growing funding and service gaps, some may choose to opt out as service providers. Reforms proposed by the Productivity Commission could leave the system exposed.

Cr McArthur said councils played an additional unique role in linking elderly Victorians to other healthy ageing, recreation, health and social programs that keep them active in the community.

“It’s discouraging that no mechanism is proposed to connect with State and local government service planning, which is critical for improving overall health and wellbeing and ensuring community needs are met,” he said.

Community care is the key aged care program for more than 50 per cent of those aged over 75 who live at home.

It provides basic cleaning, delivered meals, personal care, home maintenance and other services to help older people age with dignity in the community.

Victoria has about 200,000 HACC clients, with more than 70 per cent also receiving a pension.

Cr McArthur said that while the MAV had challenged a number of assumptions by the Productivity Commission, some of the reform proposals were supported, including the need for a costs review and scheduled prices.

“The community aged care system has been chronically under-funded for decades, with concerning levels of un-met needs,” he said.

“Pricing that reflects actual service delivery costs is long overdue."

E-learning program shines a light on child protection

The Shining the Light on Child Protection E-learning Program is now available.

$52 million available for primary care infrastructure grants

The Federal Government has announced a new $52.5 million round of funding for primary care infrastructure.

New taskforce to overhaul NSW Health

The new Director-General for NSW Health, Dr Mary Foley, has written to staff of the department, outlining reforms proposed in discussions between the Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, and Governing Council Chairs and Chief Executives of Local Health Networks, Clinical Support Division Chief Operating Officers, and the senior executive of the Department of Health.