Health Reform Consultation – Westmead Hospital
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, Member for Parramatta Julie Owens and Member for Reid, Laurie Ferguson have visited Westmead Hospital to consult with health professionals about the ways the Australian Government can address the challenges in Australia’s health system.
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7 October 2009
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, Member for Parramatta Julie Owens and Member for Reid, Laurie Ferguson visited Westmead Hospital today to consult with health professionals about the ways the Rudd Government can address the challenges in Australia’s health system.
The visit was part of the Government’s national consultation program following the release of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) report.
The NHHRC report made 123 recommendations for system-wide changes to Australian health care to improve Australia's health, hospital and aged care systems.
The Rudd Government has engaged in a conversation with the nation to road-test the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission’s recommendations.
Minister Elliot said: “Hearing first hand what doctors, nurses and other health professionals think of the NHHRC recommendations will help shape the future of health and aged care system.”
“We have already taken concrete steps to improve Australia’s health and hospital system after twelve years of neglect by the previous Liberal Government.
“Westmead Hospital has benefited from a recent injection of nearly $1.5 million in funding to improve elective surgery performance.
“The funding is part of Stage 2 of the Australian Government’s Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Plan,” Minister Elliot said.
Member for Parramatta, Julie Owens said: “The funding has allowed the hospital to purchase additional surgical equipment to reduce the waiting times for elective surgery.
“Under Stage 2 of the elective surgery plan the Rudd Government provided funds to support the construction of new operating theatres, to upgrade existing elective surgery facilities, and to purchase new surgical equipment to reduce waiting lists,” Ms Owens said.
Under the first stage of the plan, which provided $150 million to Australian hospitals to increase the number of elective surgeries being carried out, New South Wales received $43.3 million for 8,743 surgeries and carried out 12,153, exceeding the goal by 39 per cent.
Member for Reid, Laurie Ferguson said: “Targeting key pressure points in our health system, such as elective surgery waiting times, is a priority for the Rudd Government and will help ease the burden on our hospitals while long-term reforms are being considered,” Mr Ferguson said.
All Australians can contribute their views on the future of our health, hospitals and aged care systems through the yourHealth website located at http://www.yourhealth.gov.au.
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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