And why our lifestyle choices influenced the funding allocation
Treasurer Jackie Trad and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk have handed down the Queensland Budget, revealing a record-spend for the State’s health system.
A total of $18.3 billion will be spent on Queensland Health, including funds to improve public hospitals, upgrade regional hospital facilities and support 3,500 new nurses and midwives.
Here’s what you need to know.
What has been allocated for the Queensland health system
Allocated health spend includes:
- $17.3 billion in operating budget for the health system
- An additional $985 million to be used on works, including upgrades to:
– Logan Hospital, $282 million
– Caboolture Hospital, $252 million
– Ipswich Hospital, $124 million - An expected 90,095 full-time employees across the State, including more doctors, nurses and health professionals available to help deliver services.
For those on the Gold Coast, $1.5 billion will go directly towards health services and managing rising demands.
Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon announced $34.5 million of this will be allocated to boosting the number of doctors and nurses, while a further $2 million will be injected into the Winter Bed Strategy, to accommodate and treat more people over the flu season.
Source: ABC News – “Queensland budget 2018: winners and losers”
How have we impacted this decision?
In explaining the reason behind the big health spend, Treasurer Jackie Trad blamed the bad choices made by Queenslanders.
“If people decided to take control of some of the lifestyles impacts that happen when you drink too much, or smoke, or eat too much, I think that there would be less pressure on our health system,” Ms Trad said.
The statement has already caused backlash by Queenslanders who are unimpressed the blame has been put on them.
