Infrastructure gets a billion-dollar boost, but how much will the Calvary takeover suck from the coffers?
The ACT will spend about a third of its total budget on health measures – the biggest expenditure area – with spending expected to increase by 13% to $2.6 billion.
A big chunk of that – $86 million – will go to employing an extra 137 nurses and midwives in a bid to improves nurse-to-patient ratios across the Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital, and the University of Canberra Hospital.
A minimum of one nurse to four patients will be required on wards including maternity, the neonatal intensive care unit, cancer services, intensive care, emergency departments and palliative care.
UCH will also receive $53.9 million over four years to support inpatient capacity.
NCH will receive $18.5 million over four years to support the safety of cognitively impaired patients.
The largest commitment is $1 billion over the next five years for health infrastructure, including works to complement the construction of the new North Canberra Hospital, the second phase of the Canberra Hospital Master Plan ($47.9 million over four years), the construction of two new community health centres in North Gungahlin and the Inner South ($53 million over four years), and early design work for an additional centre in West Belconnen.
Also committed to are:
- additional endoscopy, cataract, elective and emergency surgeries, and additional support for maternity and neonatology services;
- the implementation of voluntary assisted dying and ongoing support for the service ($19.2 million over four years); and
- ongoing funding for the second Police, Ambulance, and Clinician Early Response team (PACER), a multi-disciplinary team which provides safe assessment and treatment of people experiencing acute mental health crises ($7.7 million over four years).
Yesterday’s budget is the last before the next ACT election – expected in October – and the Labor opposition has promised to hire 800 extra health workers if elected.
The Barr government has also promised to expand paediatric services with the establishment of a paediatric critical care team, which will mean fewer children will need to travel interstate for treatment.
Canberra’s fixed-site pill-testing facility has also had its funding extended with $1.8 million over the next three years.
Another $52.7 million over four years will go towards increasing emergency and elective surgeries to support growing demand.
Not included in the budget is the amount the ACT government will have to pay to Calvary Health Care for the takeover of the former Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.
HSD understands the final figure is still being debated with Calvary and that the numbers are considered to be “commercial in confidence”.