Minister Barr: ACT Budget 2015 Announcement:
- Written by ACT Government
Released 25/05/2015
The Minister for Health Simon Corbell and I pleased to announce an extra $40.6 million over four years to increase capacity at both Canberra and Calvary hospitals, including opening 18 new beds in the next financial year.
The funding in this year’s budget will create an extra two ICU beds and a further 16 acute beds at Canberra and Calvary hospitals.
The upcoming Budget will be for Canberra – renewing our city suburbs and delivering on the resources our community needs. This Budget will ensure Canberra remains the world’s most liveable city – and a place all Canberrans can be proud of.
Our Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units are under pressure - last year there were more than 120,000 presentations at Emergency Departments in Canberra.
We know this number will continue to increase, which is why we are taking a multipronged approach to alleviate pressure on our health system, such as funding the previously announced expansion of the Emergency Department at Canberra Hospital. This funding will help reduce the pressure on our Emergency Departments as delays to admissions are often caused because of demand on beds within the hospital.
Minister for Health Simon Corbell said delivering more beds was just one of the many ways the ACT Government was improving the overall capacity of the hospital system in the ACT.
“We recognise that introducing a coordinated and streamlined approach to bed allocations will help patients receive the right care in the right place, which is why we are allocating $2.1 million over four years for the creation of a better internal ICT system and the establishment of a central coordination unit to help staff manage the allocation of beds,” Mr Corbell said.
“The successful Hospital in the Home program will be expanded to allow more people to be cared for at home rather than in hospital.
“This budget highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to delivering a modern and contemporary healthcare system for Canberrans.
“To do this, we are also planning for the future. Calvary Hospital will receive funding to look at the feasibility options for additional beds and the expansion and refurbishment of pharmacy and pathology.”
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
