PREMIER DELIVERS FOR QUEENSLAND ON HEALTH REFORM
Australia.to News
Premier Anna Bligh has delivered for Queensland hospitals and patient services following an historic Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Canberra this week.
"Today's agreement represents a huge win for Queensland hospitals and Queensland patients," the Premier announced at the conclusion of COAG today.
"This was a once in a generation opportunity and my commitment to better hospitals and better health services for Queenslanders has never wavered.
"I came to Canberra ready to sign up to health reform if two conditions were met - more money in the health system sooner and a guaranteed level of base funding for the reforms. We leave having secured both.
"New funds of $755 million will deliver improvements in three priority areas for Queensland - better emergency departments, faster elective surgery and more hospital beds."
What this means for Queensland -
Better emergency departments
$150 million to set and meet a new service delivery target of four hour treatment
This means reduced waiting times for more than 150 000 Queenslanders over the next four years
Faster elective surgery
$160 million to ensure more Queenslanders get surgery within clinically recommended times - rising to 4400 additional cases per year in 2013-14
More hospital beds
$325 million for 270 new sub-acute care hospital beds over the next four years
This will provide more appropriate care for patients transitioning out of hospital (rehabilitation) and free up acute care beds for acute patients sooner
Guaranteed future growth funds
A guaranteed minimum of $3.4 billion from 2014 to 2020 when the Commonwealth reforms take effect
Mental health
$23 million for new community based services for young people with mental health problems
Aged care
$148 million to meet a range of aged care services across Queensland
"Queensland will also receive an additional $40 million to be used where needed in either ED, elective surgery or sub-acute beds to meet the reform targets.
"While the negotiations concluded today, the hard work of implementing these historic reforms over the next decade begins today."
