No emergency co-payments or hospital services cuts

Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the NSW Government would continue its record investment in the public health system with a recurrent budget of $17.9 billion this year – up 5.2% over the previous year and 15% since 2011.

“A further $1.2 billion is being invested in capital works this year, with a massive injection of funds to rebuild hospitals right across the State – from Tamworth to Dubbo, Wagga Wagga to Bega, Blacktown Mt Druitt, Campbelltown and Hornsby as well as planning underway at Westmead and elsewhere,” she said.

“We are treating more patients and improving performance in emergency departments, with 70.8% of patients being treated and either discharged or admitted within four hours compared to 59% in 2011.”

Mrs Skinner said she was committed to looking at options as part of the Government’s Integrated Care strategy to ensure patients were getting the right treatment in the right setting at the right time.