Article Summary
Victoria’s budget includes $643.3 million for nine new or upgraded hospitals, an additional $48.2 million for state-run urgent-care clinics, and the expansion of a community pharmacy program. Community pharmacists will be able to treat more conditions and consultations will be free. The statewide pilot of this program will be made permanent. The government aims to improve access to healthcare services, back healthcare workers, and ensure that every Victorian has access to free, lifesaving care.
What This Means for You
- You will benefit from improved access to healthcare services through new and upgraded hospitals, urgent-care clinics, and community pharmacy programs.
- Community pharmacists will be able to treat a wider range of conditions, providing you with more accessible healthcare options and free consultations.
- By expanding healthcare services, the government is investing in the health workforce and ensuring that every Victorian can access lifesaving care when needed.
- Future state budgets will see a decreasing share of debt in the overall economy, indicating long-term financial stability and continued investment in essential infrastructure and services.
Original Post
“That’s why I’m focused on investing in our world-class health system and backing our doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics and all other frontline health workers – so Victorians can get the care they need, when and where they need it.”
Victoria’s budget also includes $643.3 million to open and run nine hospitals which are either new or upgraded, including Footscray Hospital and the expanded Frankston Hospital.
Jacinta Allan and Ja
bash
clyn Symes are increasing spending on the health sector.Credit: Justin McManus
An extra $48.2 million will also go towards state-run urgent-care clinics and growing Victoria’s community pharmacy program.
The statewide pilot of community pharmacists, which allows access to some treatments without visiting a GP, will be made permanent and expanded. Consultations will be free.
Pharmacists will be able to treat more conditions such as allergies, nausea and high blood pressure. Currently, they can treat shingles, mild psoriasis, urinary tract infections and provide medications such as oral contraceptives.
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Victoria has 29 urgent-care clinics which the Allan government says have received more than 800,000 visits.
“We’re focused on what matters most – opening new hospitals, delivering better care and backing our health workforce – because free, accessible and lifesaving care is what every Victorian deserves,” Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.
Speaking on Monday, Symes said increased revenue from the GST could have allowed Victoria to post a surplus bigger than the $600 million to be confirmed in the budget.
But she said the government instead chose to keep investing in services that the public expected them to support.
“We are investing in health, mental health, education, transport – all of the things that Victorians want,” Symes said.
“We’re also offering practical cost-of-living measures, as well as delivering a surplus, which is what we promised to do.
“This is about ensuring that we are creating jobs, stabilising our debt, growing our economy and demonstrating that we can service that debt whilst delivering the infrastructure and services that Victorians need.”
The size of the state’s debt will continue to grow to an expected $187 billion by 2028, but the government says the share of debt in the overall economy will decline in future budgets.
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Key Terms
- Healthcare
- Hospitals
- Urgent-care clinics
- Pharmacy program
- Pharmacists
- Health workforce
- State debt
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