THERE was extra money for mental health, patient transport, oncology and front-line services in the health budget, and no new savings beyond those announced last year. Health spending will reach $1555.5 million next financial year, taking a slightly larger proportion of the overall state budget. As announced by Health Minister Michael Ferguson on Wednesday, an additional $100 million over four years will go to front-line health, but it is not yet clear where exactly that money will go. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service will receive $2.4 million statewide over four years, after staff in the South took industrial action over a lack of resources. Mr Ferguson had already revealed an extra $14 million over four years in operational funding for the patient transport system, but the budget also included another $10 million for capital upgrades to transport infrastructure and equipment. The final white paper is expected to have more information on how that money will specifically be used, and if it will be managed under the current Patient Travel Assistance Scheme. The Launceston General Hospital will get $3 million to expand and refurbish its allied health specialist clinic and outpatient services - a project that was stalled last year as a budget savings measure. An extra $2 million will help the Mental Health Tribunal cope with an increased caseload. A further $4.8 million will go into additional drug rehabilitation services with a priority on the North-West, and the North-West Regional Cancer Centre will receive $14.5 million for operating costs over four years when it opens later this year.
THERE was extra money for mental health, patient transport, oncology and front-line services in the health budget, and no new savings beyond those announced last year.
Health spending will reach $1555.5 million next financial year, taking a slightly larger proportion of the overall state budget.
As announced by Health Minister Michael Ferguson on Wednesday, an additional $100 million over four years will go to front-line health, but it is not yet clear where exactly that money will go.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service will receive $2.4 million statewide over four years, after staff in the South took industrial action over a lack of resources.
Mr Ferguson had already revealed an extra $14 million over four years in operational funding for the patient transport system, but the budget also included another $10 million for capital upgrades to transport infrastructure and equipment.
The final white paper is expected to have more information on how that money will specifically be used, and if it will be managed under the current Patient Travel Assistance Scheme.
The Launceston General Hospital will get $3 million to expand and refurbish its allied health specialist clinic and outpatient services - a project that was stalled last year as a budget savings measure.
An extra $2 million will help the Mental Health Tribunal cope with an increased caseload.
A further $4.8 million will go into additional drug rehabilitation services with a priority on the North-West, and the North-West Regional Cancer Centre will receive $14.5 million for operating costs over four years when it opens later this year.
