The Central Coast is set to benefit from a major boost to the state’s health workforce expected to be announced in the State budget later this month.
A record 10,148 full-time equivalent staff will be recruited to hospitals and health services across the state over four years, with 40 per cent of those to be allocated to the regions, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said.
“NSW Health will work closely with Central Coast Local Health District when allocating how many of these positions will come to the Central Coast,” Crouch said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said 7,674 more workers would be recruited in the first year, which will help ease pressure on COVID-fatigued health staff and fast-track more elective surgery for patients.
“Everyone in NSW is indebted to our health workers for their selfless efforts throughout the pandemic, remembering for a long time there was no vaccine and they risked their lives each day to care for patients,” Mr Perroettet said.
“This record investment will help us care for health staff across the state, providing the respite and back-up they need.
“It will also boost staff numbers in hospitals to deliver quality health care closer to home, ensuring better health outcomes and a brighter future for NSW families.”
The additional staff will include nurses and midwives, doctors, paramedics, pathologists and scientific staff, pharmacists and allied health professionals, as well as support and ancillary staff.
Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, said the NSW Government’s $4.5B investment over four years is intended to relieve pressure on existing staff and will ensure there are appropriate levels of health staffing for its pipeline of health infrastructure projects.
“Backing in our existing staff with additional staff to support them is critical,” he said.
“As the NSW Government has delivered 170 hospitals and health facilities since 2011, with a further 110 underway, this funding will also ensure those new hospitals will have the workforce of today and the future.”
Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor, said regional communities were “waiting with open arms” to welcome additional skilled health professionals.
Treasurer, Matt Kean, said a strong feature of the health workforce budget was a boost to NSW Ambulance which has been under unprecedented pressure, with historically high call rates.
Source:
Media release, Jun 6
NSW Government