Author: admin

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest $864 million for major upgrades to St George ($385 million) and Ryde ($479 million) hospitals, to deliver world-class healthcare and provide additional beds for local communities.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this significant investment in St George and Ryde hospitals was only possible because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“We have a strong track record when it comes to delivering health infrastructure, having already built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and other health facilities across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
During a visit to St George Hospital in Kogarah, Ms Berejiklian also announced a $76 million elective surgery boost, focusing on children and cataract patients.
“No other NSW Government has ever invested as much in health and one of the benefits is the dramatic improvement in on-time paediatric specialist surgery times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are not only building new and upgraded hospitals across the State, we are also ensuring people receive the best possible healthcare they need.”
Today’s announcement follows yesterday’s announcement of an unprecedented 5000 additional nurses and midwives to be recruited, along with more doctors and other health professionals, in a package to increase the health workforce by a total 8300 – a $2.8 billion investment.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redeveloped St George and Ryde hospitals would increase capacity for local communities, ensuring people get the care they need close to home.
“This Government is serious about investing in hospitals – in fact we are investing more than $8 billion over the next four years, with about 100 health infrastructure projects underway and more to come,” Mr Hazzard said.
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the $385 million investment brings to $700 million the total investment in several upgrades to St George Hospital facilities since 2011.
“At St George, we are committing to a new precinct including an ambulatory care unit, outpatient and day surgery services, a new day rehabilitation unit, increased subacute inpatient beds and a hub for community health and home-based services to ensure the local community gets the very best in health care,” Mr Coure said.
Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has long supported better healthcare in Ryde, and that this new investment would completely transform Ryde Hospital.
“This $479 million investment will create a new Ryde Hospital. The historic Denistone House will be preserved and be surrounded  by modern and enhanced emergency, critical care, inpatient, community and ambulatory care services, as well as maternity services,” Mr Dominello said.
“Ryde Hospital has an emotional connection for most people in Ryde. Personally, I have a special affinity with Ryde Hospital as my sisters and I were all born here. This massive investment transforms a hospital we love into a modern facility that will continue to provide wonderful care for our community for generations to come.”
Planning for the redevelopment of the hospitals, which will involve consultation with local communities and hospital staff, with construction activities to commence during the next term of government.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government continues to triple Labor’s annual health infrastructure spending, having completed more than 100 new and upgraded hospitals and health facilities, including more than 63 in regional NSW, with another 100 projects underway.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has hired more than 16,000 doctors, nurses and midwives, allied health and support staff to deliver world-class health services across NSW.
By contrast, the former Labor government closed more than 2000 hospital beds and promised four major hospitals but never delivered.

Waiting times will be dramatically reduced for children who need surgery under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government, with a commitment to deliver 8000 additional paediatric operations.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $45 million investment will strengthen the State’s on-time paediatric surgery performance, which sits at 97 per cent – its highest level ever.
“No other NSW Government has ever invested as much in health and one of the benefits is the dramatic improvement in on-time paediatric specialist surgery times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our healthcare system is already world-class and this investment will do even more to help get children in and out of hospital quickly, easing the burden on parents and carers.”
The funding will employ an additional 10 doctors and 25 nurses in the public system to deliver on this commitment, as well as utilising spare capacity in private hospitals. In NSW, 97 per cent of paediatric specialist surgery is performed on time compared to 86 per cent under Labor.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW already has the best on-time elective surgery rates in Australia but this funding will ensure children needing minor operations are back at home with their families even faster.
“We want to remove any obstacles to a child’s social and learning development and get them back home as quick as we can. Surgeries to remove tonsils, grommets and adenoids which are usually classified as semi and non-urgent, can also help kids overcome educational and behavioural issues, so this initiative gets a gold star,” Mr Hazzard said.
The investment is expected to reduce the time taken to receive non-urgent elective surgeries by around three months, and halve the time taken to receive semi-urgent elective surgeries. Urgent elective surgeries are already delivered as soon as possible.
In 2018-19, the NSW Government is investing a record $25 billion in health, a $1.1 billion increase over the 2017-18 Budget.

Thousands of elderly people struggling with poor vision from cataracts will have faster access to surgical services under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $31 million funding boost would deliver an extra 10,000 cataract surgeries over the next four years.
“Cataracts impact the lives of so many of our senior citizens – in fact, in NSW cataract removal is already the most common elective surgery, so we want to make it even easier to access,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This investment will help provide a better quality of life for our seniors and ensure we are ready to provide the services for our ageing population in the future.”
The $31 million will fund 46 clinical staff including nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists – ensuring more cataract surgeries occur than ever before.
The funding will also reduce the time between accessing surgery on a patient’s first and second eye.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said one in three people aged over 65 have clinically significant cataracts, which affects their ability to live independently and places them at risk of injury from falls.
“Thanks to the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government, 99 per cent of people receive their surgery within clinically recommended timeframes, up from 91 per cent under Labor,” Mr Hazzard said.
“However, we are committed to doing even better – this investment will ensure people receive their surgery even faster.”
Cataract removal is already the most common elective surgery with 24,546 patients admitted in NSW public hospitals in 2017-18. In comparison, Labor only provided 19,104 cataract surgeries in 2009-10.
“Our Government’s focus on cataract treatment confirms the Liberals & Nationals’ commitment to getting it done for NSW residents,” Mr Hazzard said.