Recurrent spending in health in 2015-16 will be $19.6 billion - up $976 million (or 5.2 per cent) on the previous year to enable NSW Health to meet increased demand. $1.4 billion will be spent on the capital program in 2015-16, taking the total health budget to $21 billion.
Some of the health highlights in the 2015-16 NSW Budget include:
- $325 million for increased hospital activity, including 90,000 extra emergency department attendances and 40,000 extra admissions (including 3,100 extra elective surgeries).
- $1.4 billion in capital works funding to continue the unprecedented program of building and rebuilding hospitals and health facilities across the state.
- $1.7 billion for mental health services.
- $9.3 million to fund 90 new specialised nursing, midwifery and support staff, and $3.5 million to support further growth in medical, dental and allied health workforces, including 22 new medical training positions.
- $49.9 million for the National Partnership Agreement on Adult Public Dental Services.
- $159 million over four years for medical research.
"The 2015-16 Budget shows the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is delivering on its election commitments to people across the state," Skinner said.
"With a record health budget of $21 billion, the NSW Government will fund record activity in our hospitals, bolster our clinical workforce and continue our massive hospital building program.
"We will also invest in innovative programs and new technologies to ensure our patients receive the right care at the right time in the right place, be that in the city or the bush, in hospital or at home," she said.
