Minns govt promises $10b health boom in budget
The Minns government has announced it will deliver the biggest increase in the state’s health budget in NSW history.
Labor has announced it will donate an extra $10.3 billion over four years as part of this year’s budget, including pay rises for nurses and midwives.
The government says the investment will enable the recruitment of 9,000 more healthcare workers, including nurses, paramedics and allied healthcare workers, over the next four years.
“This is a record investment, supported by record pay rises for nurses and midwives who provide exceptional care to the people of NSW every day,” treasurer Daniel Mookhey said.
“A decade of Liberal and National wage pressures have not only harmed individual workers, they have damaged the entire healthcare system.”
The government said the budget would include funding for services including an additional 33,000 emergency presentations a year, 2,900 planned surgeries and 16,000 inpatient services.
It was stated that the budget included the largest pay increase for healthcare workers in more than a decade – a $2.9 billion increase in wages.
The investment includes more than 80 additional beds, as well as expanded emergency space and operating rooms.
The government said this would also include funding for the construction of John Hunter, Shoalhaven, Nepean and Eurobodalla hospitals.
“By providing more staff and more services, we are giving nurses the biggest pay increase in more than a decade, all without privatization,” said Health Minister Ryan Park.
“This record investment secures the future of healthcare in NSW and ensures we can continue to deliver the services people need now while building long-term sustainability for the future.
“As populations age, health systems around the world are experiencing significant pressure; the largest ever health funding increase in our state’s history reflects the magnitude of this challenge and the priorities of this government.”
