The 2023-24 ACT Budget will continue to invest in delivering more health services for Canberrans. The $43.6 million injection into frontline services makes up part of the over $200 million public health services package.
Canberra's growing population will see more appointments become available, more elective surgeries undertaken and new services delivered.
Expanding hospital services for children and young people
More than $15.8 million will be invested into paediatric services at Canberra Hospital. This will help expand the paediatric nursing workforce and deliver new services.
A new Paediatric Hospital in the Home program will be established to ensure the ACT's children can be safely cared for at home when they need acute care but don't need to be in hospital. This program will also strengthen the role of GPs in shared care arrangements, further supporting care closer to home for children and young people.
The funding will also help upskill paediatric and emergency department staff in preparation for the opening of the Critical Services Building. Processes within the department will also be improved to ensure patient and family centred care is better coordinated.
The Government will establish a new dedicated Paediatric Gender Service to deliver age-appropriate gender care for children and young people up to 15 years of age to help address increasing demand.
In addition, the existing paediatric weight management program will be expanded to reduce waitlists and waiting times and increase quality of life for young people.
Investing in the North Canberra Hospital
A $14.3 million boost will boost resourcing for North Canberra Hospital with more allied health and weekend support to better coordinate care in the Emergency Department, as well as supporting four additional inpatient beds.
More outpatient appointments and elective surgeries
Canberrans will be able to access additional specialist medical and paediatric outpatient appointments with a $6.75 million investment over the next four years. This will deliver an increase of 2,500 appointments each year for the next two years, growing to 5,000 additional appointments a year from 2025-26.
Canberra Health Services is also undertaking a range of initiatives to sustainably grow outpatient capacity, including increasing the proportion of new appointments and recruiting more specialists.
An additional $6.7 million in 2023-24 will help to address the significant impact of the pandemic and Calvary theatre fire on elective surgeries over the last two years, in line with the Government's commitment to deliver 60,000 elective surgeries over four years.
Quotes from Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA
"This investment reflects the Government's commitment to growing specialist appointments and elective surgeries and ensuring Canberrans can receive the healthcare they need when they need it.
"The establishment of the Paediatric Hospital in the Home program will mean children and young people who are acutely unwell can spend more time at home while still receiving high quality care from Canberra Hospital's specialist paediatric team.
"The investments in paediatric services respond to evidence from past reviews and reflect early feedback from the Child and Adolescent Clinical Services Expert Panel, providing a strong platform to respond to the Panel's final report later this year.
"We will continue to invest in capacity at the North Canberra Hospital as we plan for the new modern facility, and I look forward to working with clinical leaders to ensure they can keep delivering quality health care for the growing northside population."
