Health Reform Delivering for Patients at Royal Melbourne

View by date:

• April
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

• 2013
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

PDF printable version of Health Reform Delivering for Patients at Royal Melbourne (PDF 15 KB)

15 February 2011

Elective surgery patients at the Royal Melbourne Hospital are already benefiting from the Gillard Government’s investment in national health reform, Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon said today.
The Gillard Government’s national health agreement means a better deal for patients: more beds, more money and more services.

While inspecting the Royal Melbourne’s 23-hour unit, which was extended and relocated as part of the $7.3 million upgrade of peri operative services, Minister Roxon said that it was clear the benefits of health reform were already flowing to patients.

“This is a great example of what this new health deal will deliver – more Commonwealth investment in public hospitals, which means more beds, more services and better care for patients”, Minister Roxon said.

“Since the unit opened, it has cared for over 4300 patients and helped the Royal Melbourne to reduce the number of overdue patients from 771 to 471 over 12 months, meaning better access to care for patients.”

“This is a key part of the Gillard Government’s elective surgery plan that has led to upgrades and equipment at over 120 hospitals across Australia, and over 70,000 more surgery operations”, Minister Roxon said.

Through the new health agreement signed on the weekend, we are looking forward to delivering further improvements for the people for Victoria together with the Victorian Government including at least 326 sub acute beds for Victorian hospitals, $822 million for direct benefits for hospitals over four years and an additional $4 billion over the next decade.

Under the second stage of the Government’s Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Plan, The Royal Melbourne Hospital received $7.3 million to expand and reconfigure the facilities to provide better care for patients undergoing operations. Under the plan, the hospital also received approximately $500,000 to purchase surgical equipment.

“The successful operation of the ward is an ongoing demonstration of value for money from the Government’s investment in improvements to Australia’s hospitals and of the success of its strategy to improve access to elective surgery,” Ms Roxon said.

In addition, the Government has provided funding to the hospital under the Taking Pressure off Public Hospitals initiative to establish a Short Stay Unit in the Emergency Department. The unit will provide an alternative to inpatient admission for specific groups of patients.

Ms Roxon said the Government’s health reform strategy continues to deliver real benefits, helping Australians get the health services they need.

For more information, contact Ms Roxon’s Office: (02) 6277 7220