Improving regional health services ...

Health and Hospitals Fund (HHF) — regional priority round

The Government is investing an unprecedented $1.8 billion over six years in critical regional health infrastructure under the HHF regional priority round.

This includes $1.33 billion for 63 projects across Australia and $475 million for a further regional priority round.

This record investment provides a much needed boost to regional hospitals.

It builds on the $1.1 billion allocated in the 2009‑10 Budget to upgrade regional hospital infrastructure and invest in regional cancer centres and training infrastructure.

Investing in health areas of national priority

These investments are consistent with the Government's health reform priorities and will improve acute care facilities and primary health infrastructure by:

• expanding new facilities and patient accommodation services so that patients can access care closer to home;
• improving acute care and primary health facilities at local health centres to better treat chronic diseases; and
• directing funding toward infrastructure catering for mental and dental health.

Over 60 major regional projects

The HHF regional priority round funds 63 major projects across Australia including:

• the Bega Valley Health Service Development (NSW);
• the Palmerston Hospital (NT)
• the Bringing Renal Dialysis and Support Services Closer to Home program (WA);
• Regional Mental Health Community Care Units (QLD);
• the Port Lincoln Health Service Redevelopment (SA); and
• the Integrated Regional Cancer Service, Geelong (VIC).

This Budget also includes $475 million for a further regional priority round.