Real Action to Boost Local Health Services
06/08/10
The Coalition will take real action to improve the capacity of health-related infrastructure and services in local communities.
We recognise that the implementation of national health policies can sometimes overlook the specific needs of local communities.
Central to our approach to the delivery of health and hospital services is the development of a community-controlled public hospital system that transfers managerial decision making from centralised bureaucracies to community boards.
To further ensure that local community needs are not overlooked, the Coalition will establish an $85 million Community Health Fund.
The Community Health Fund will provide direct funding to boost health-related infrastructure and services at local level.
Through the Coalition’s Community Health Fund, assistance will be available for a wide range of purposes, including:
- Health equipment, including MRI, CT and PET scanners
- Capital upgrades of health infrastructure, including at local hospitals
- Limited recurrent funding to provide local health services
Funding will be allocated based on the potential of projects to improve access or to meet identified gaps in the provision of health services at local level. The improvement of regional and remote health services will be a priority for assistance through the Fund.
Importantly, local hospitals and health services providers will be eligible for assistance through the Fund. Community health organisations will also be eligible to apply.
Assistance through the Fund will be made available as soon as possible following the election of a Coalition Government. Funding will be subject to project evaluation and assessment procedures.
The first project to be funded under the fund will be a Linear Accelerator for Burnie Hospital at a cost of $7 million over four years. This will dramatically boost cancer care in the north-west of Tasmania.
Only the Coalition has a plan for real action to meet the health-related needs of local communities.