Council
19 June, 2024
Government disputes health claims
THE state government has hit out at the “ongoing spread of misinformation and lies” about hospital funding.
“While others are playing politics, we are focused on delivering patients the best care and that is exactly what our record investment into our hospitals will deliver,” Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.
“Unlike the Liberals and Nationals who closed 12 country hospitals, we’re focusing on delivering more doctors and nurses, better facilities and the best possible care to all Victorians no matter where they live.”
In the 2024/25 financial year alone, more than 25 per cent of the state’s entire budget will be invested into health services.
The Cobden Timboon Coast Times understands there is a sector-wide increase in funding budget-to-budget from last financial year, including a significant lift in the price paid to deliver care.
This approach was believed to be in response to requests from hospitals for increased funding and budget certainty to better meet changing healthcare needs, as well as funding which reflects their activity levels.
According to the Victorian Government, the new approach aims to provide greater sustainability and transitions away from the previous model during COVID, where health services were paid for activity that was not being delivered.
This new funding will ensure services can plan further in advance using available resources to achieve the best outcomes for all Victorians.
All health services have been asked to work with the Department of Health to ensure government funding is focused on frontline care.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the Labor Government has “provided regional health services with record funding”.
“We’re looking at sensible and low-impact ways to make the health system work better for patients and health workers, such as sharing back-of-house functions while protecting the frontline,” the spokesperson said.