New health investments in the 2010‑11 Budget
The 2010‑11 Budget delivers a further $2.2 billion over four years to meet the needs of our modern health system, by investing in primary health care, training and supporting our nurses, and modernising our health system.
Access to GPs
All Australians and their families deserve access to high‑quality GP and primary health care, that is well resourced, well staffed and coordinated.
Key primary health care infrastructure is supported with $355 million for 23 new GP Super Clinics and around 425 facility upgrades.
The Government will invest $417 million to enhance after‑hours services and to establish Medicare Locals to identify local needs and better coordinate primary, hospital and aged care for Australian communities.
Investing in our nurses
The Government will invest $523 million over four years to train and support our nurses. This includes $390 million to better utilise practice nurses.
The Government is providing $29 million in this Budget to support nurses in regional Australia.
An additional 300 registered nurse scholarships and 600 enrolled nurse training places will be provided, at a cost of $21 million, to build nursing careers.
Modernising our health system
The Government will invest $467 million to introduce personally controlled Individual Electronic Health Records that will keep our health system at the forefront of innovation, while allowing for more personalised health care and slashing costs of duplication.
The Government will also drive improvements in the health system, establishing tough new national standards and driving efficiencies through activity based funding.
Enhanced after‑hours service