Source: ABC
Record funding of $81.8 billion has been allocated to the health sector in the 2019-20 Federal Budget.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s Budget included $448.5 million for GPs to better treat patients with chronic disease, $21.6 billion for aged care, $737 million for mental health services and $309 million to broaden access to diagnostic imaging.
What has been allocated for the health system?
- $461 million for youth mental health and suicide prevention
- 10,000 home care packages for aged care
- $84 million for carer respite
- $62.2 million over five years to train new rural GPs
- $309 million for diagnostic imaging services, including 23 new MRI licences
- $331 million over five years for new pharmaceuticals, including high-cost cancer treatments
- $107.8 million over seven years for hospitals and facilities including Redland Hospital, Bowen Hospital, Bass Coast Health and Ronald McDonald House
- $70.8 million over seven years for regional cancer diagnosis, treatment and therapy centres
- $114.5 million from 2020-21 to trial eight mental health facilities for adults
- $43.9 million for mental health services for expectant and new parents
- $35.7 million over five years for increased dementia and veterans’ home care supplements
- $320 million this year as a one-off increase to the basic subsidy for residential aged-care recipients.
Total spending on health is also expected to increase by more than 9 per cent to $89.5 billion in 2022-23.
___________________________________
House Call Doctor sends a home doctor to you and your family when your regular GP is closed at night and on weekends and public holidays. To book a house call home doctor patients should call 13 55 66 or book online or via the House Call Doctor App.
