Home > Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook > Appendix A: Policy Decisions Since PEFO > Expense Measures > Health and Ageing

Part 1: Expense Measures (Continued)

Health and Ageing

Aged care — Translation Services for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse recipients

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	0.5	1.4	1.5	1.6

The Government will provide $5.0 million over four years to support the delivery of services to older Australians in aged care who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Funding of $2.2 million will be provided for translation and interpreting services. This includes a mix of on-site visits and telephone interpretation services. These services will assist people who do not speak English and the English speakers who need to communicate with them.

This measure will also provide $1.0 million in small grants to aged care providers for the translation of documents used in day-to-day care such as notices, menus and newsletters.

A further $1.7 million will be provided for cultural awareness training for aged care facility staff.

Further information can be found in the joint press release issued on the 13 August 2010 by the Prime Minister and the then Minister for Ageing.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Connecting Health Services to the Future

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	2.3	51.9	100.3	179.4
Medicare Australia	-	1.5	1.6	0.9	0.9
Department of Veterans' Affairs	-	..	1.9	3.4	6.1
Total	-	3.9	55.5	104.6	186.3
Related capital ($m)
Medicare Australia	-	0.5	1.4	-	-

The Government will provide $352.2 million over four years to introduce Medicare Benefits Schedule rebates for electronically delivered specialist consultations (e-consults). Rebates will be available for both the specialist providing the consultation and the general practitioner or nurse practitioner hosting the service. Funding will also be provided to assist health practitioners access necessary infrastructure, and to develop and deliver training courses to build and enhance the capacity of medical practitioners to deliver e-consults.

This measure will improve access to specialist consultations, particularly for rural, remote and outer-metropolitan areas, and will lessen the need for patients to travel long distances for essential specialist services. It is expected that this measure will provide around 700,000 electronic consultations per annum by 2014-15.

This proposal will be implemented on 1 July 2011.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

GP After Hours Helpline — expansion

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	-	10.0	20.0	20.0

The Government will provide $50.0 million over three years to expand the GP After Hours Helpline to include a video conferencing capability from 1 July 2012. This will improve access to after hours primary health care, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas.

Callers to the after hours GP telephone advice service currently have their call answered by a health nurse, who assesses patients seeking medical advice, with the option of referring the caller to a telephone based GP where required. This measure will provide the caller with the additional option of a videoconference consultation, available to anyone in Australia who has access to a computer with a webcam and broadband technology.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

GP Super Clinics

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	5.0	10.0	-	-

The Government will provide an additional $15.0 million over two years to improve access to integrated primary health care services by expanding the GP Super Clinics program.

GP Super Clinics will assist the delivery of multidisciplinary care services by co-locating general practitioners with nurses, allied health professionals and other health care providers. This will enable more coordinated and integrated care for patients, in particular those with chronic and complex conditions.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Health and Hospitals Fund — Port Macquarie Base Hospital

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	30.0	30.0	15.0	-

The Government opened a new Health and Hospitals Fund Regional Priority Round on 30 September 2010. This new round of funding will allow for upgrades to regional health infrastructure around Australia, including hospitals.

Consistent with the agreement with the Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott MP, the new round will consider an application for funding of up to $75 million for the expansion of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital with funding for the project contingent on approval by the Health and Hospitals Fund Advisory Board.

This measure delivers on the Government's agreement with the Member for Lyne. See the related expense measure titled Health and Hospitals Fund — Regional Priority Round.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 30 September 2010 issued by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Regional Australia and the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Health and Hospitals Fund — Regional Priority Round

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	-	-	-	-

There is currently $1.8 billion in unallocated funds (excluding interest) in the Health and Hospitals Fund. Apart from the projects in the Government's agreements with the Independents, other specific projects have not yet been considered. Applications for specific projects can be received until 3 December 2010. The final number of projects funded by the Government is contingent on the quality of applications received, as evaluated by the Health and Hospitals Fund Advisory Board.

Consistent with the agreements with the Independents, the new round will consider applications for funding of up to $240 million for the expansion of the Royal Hobart Hospital and up to $75 million for the expansion of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital, with funding for both projects contingent on approval by the Health and Hospitals Fund Advisory Board. Provision for these projects has been made in the forward estimates, pending final Board approval. See the related expense measures Health and Hospitals Fund — Royal Hobart Hospital and Health and Hospitals Fund — Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

This round builds on the $3.2 billion allocated in the 2009‑10 Budget to upgrade hospital infrastructure and expand medical research and training infrastructure.

This measure delivers on the Government's agreement with the Members for New England, Tony Windsor MP, and Lyne, Rob Oakeshott MP, and the agreement with the Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie MP. See also the related expense measure Royal Hobart Hospital — upfront contribution.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 30 September 2010 issued by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Regional Australia and the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Health and Hospitals Fund — Royal Hobart Hospital

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	120.0	120.0	-	-

Consistent with the agreement with the Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie MP, the new round will consider an application for funding of up to $240 million for the expansion of the Royal Hobart Hospital with funding for the project contingent on approval by the Health and Hospitals Fund Advisory Board.

This measure delivers on the Government's agreement with the Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie MP. See the related expense measures titled Royal Hobart Hospital — upfront contribution and Health and Hospitals Fund — Regional Priority Round.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 30 September 2010 issued by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Regional Australia and the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Hospital Accountability and Performance Program — reduced funding

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	-	-	-2.5	-3.5

The Government will reduce funding for the Hospital Accountability and Performance Program (HAPP).

These savings are in addition to those identified in the 2010‑11 Budget as part of the National Health and Hospital Network — National Performance Authority measure, which reflected activities to be undertaken by the National Performance Authority. The Department of Health and Ageing will retain funding to undertake data development activities relating to the private hospital sector, hospital data management and interrogation, and the comparison of public/private hospital data.

This measure will provide savings of $6.0 million over the forward estimates.

Mental Health — Taking Action to Tackle Suicide — Boosting crisis intervention services

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	0.4	23.0	25.5	25.6

The Government will provide $74.5 million over four years to establish and expand suicide prevention activities in communities around Australia. Funding will be provided to:

increase the capacity of crisis support lines, including Lifeline, and establish dedicated lines at known suicide hotspots;
improve safety and infrastructure at known suicide hotspots;.
train frontline community workers around Australia;
support community-led suicide prevention activities for targeted groups and communities at high risk of suicide; and
provide a nationwide network of mental health promotion officers to deliver outreach services to schools.

This measure forms part of the Government's Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package announced during the 2010 election. Further information can be found in the press release of 27 July 2010 issued by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health and Ageing.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Mental Health — Taking Action to Tackle Suicide — Targeting men who are at greater risk of suicide but least likely to seek help

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	3.1	6.7	6.7	6.7

The Government will provide $23.2 million over four years to provide more mental health services and programs targeted towards men. Funding will be provided to:

increase the capacity of the beyondblue helpline to deliver an additional 30,000 telephone services each year;
expand the beyondblue National Workplace Program to increase coverage to specific sectors and to subsidise increased participation by small businesses; and
deliver targeted awareness campaigns to encourage more men in high risk groups to seek assistance for depression and mental illness.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Mental Health — Taking Action to Tackle Suicide — Promoting good mental health and resilience in young people

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	6.0	21.0	17.0	17.3

The Government will provide $61.3 million over four years to promote resilience and good mental health in young people. Funding will be provided to:

expand the KidsMatter Primary School Program to provide services to students at an additional 1,700 schools;
develop linkages and support networks between primary health care services and local mental health providers. This will support up to 26,000 children with serious mental health, development and behavioural issues; and
expand online mental health and counselling services for up to an additional 40,000 young people to supplement face-to-face mental health services.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Mental Health — Taking Action to Tackle Suicide — Providing more frontline services and support for those at greater risk of suicide

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	-	37.9	38.4	38.7

The Government will provide $115.0 million over three years to fund more frontline services and support for people with severe mental illness who are at risk of suicide.

Funding will be provided to:

increase the psychology and psychiatry services available through the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program by up to 12,500 people per year;
purchase up to 20,000 services from psychiatrists each year to assist in their work with community mental health providers;
establish flexible funding pools to increase non-clinical community support services, such as structured social activities, personal helpers and respite services for carers; and
establish nationally-consistent reporting standards and publish an Annual National Report Card on mental health and suicide prevention.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — minor new listings and price amendments

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Veterans' Affairs	-	..	..	0.1	0.1
Department of Health and Ageing	-	-1.9	-3.4	-3.3	-3.2
Total	-	-1.9	-3.3	-3.3	-3.2

The Government has agreed to a number of minor new listings and price amendments to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2010.

The net impact of the new listings and price amendments will provide savings of $11.7 million over four years. This includes a cost of $15.3 million over four years for a range of new listings and price amendments, and a saving of $27.0 million from the listing of Novicrit®.

The listing of Novicrit®, for the treatment of anaemia, on 1 December 2010 will result in a reduced price to Government for other drugs currently listed on a cost-minimisation basis to each other.

Other new or extensions to listings include:

Humira®, for the treatment of severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis;
OneTouch Verio®, for blood tests for diabetes;
Relpax®, for the treatment of migraine attacks;
Firmagon®, for the treatment of prostate cancer;
Prolia®, for the treatment of osteoporosis; and
Seroquel® and Seroquel XR®, for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Further information can be found in the updates to the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits published by the Department of Health and Ageing.

Primary Care Infrastructure Grants — expanding service delivery in regional Australia

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	-	-	-	-

The Government will ensure that approximately one-third of the funds ($41 million) provided in the 2010‑11 Budget for the expansion of existing primary care practices are directed to practices delivering services in regional Australia.

These funds will be available for general practices, primary care and community health services, and Aboriginal Medical Services, and will assist these practices in delivering multidisciplinary services, including by providing additional accommodation for health professionals, extended opening hours and clinical training facilities.

This measure delivers on the Government's agreement with the Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott MP, and the Member for New England, Tony Windsor MP.

Royal Hobart Hospital — upfront contribution

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of the Treasury	-	100.0	-	-	-

The Government will provide $100 million by the end of 2010 to enable the construction of a Women's and Children's Hospital at the Royal Hobart.

The Tasmanian Government has also been invited to make an application to the Health and Hospitals Fund (HHF) for up to $240 million for the redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital. See the related expense measures titled Health and Hospitals Fund — Regional Priority Round, and Health and Hospitals Fund — Royal Hobart Hospital.

This measure delivers on the Government's agreement with the Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie MP.

Tamworth Hospital — Establish a Teaching and Training Facility

Expense ($m)
	2009‑10	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14
Department of Health and Ageing	-	5.5	14.5	-	-

The Government will provide $20.0 million over two years as a contribution to the establishment of a clinical teaching and training centre as part of the redevelopment of the Tamworth Hospital in northern New South Wales.

The centre will provide facilities for the education and training of medical students, junior doctors and specialist trainees from Tamworth and surrounding regions.

This measure delivers on the Government's agreement with the Member for New England, Tony Windsor MP.

If www.budget.gov.au responds slowly or you are having trouble downloading a document, try one of the Budget Website Mirrors

Note: Where possible, Budget documents are available in HTML and for downloading in Portable Document Format(PDF). If you require further information on any of the tables or charts on this website, please contact The Treasury.