The South Australian Government has announced a total of $4.7 billion in health spending in the state's 2011-12 budget, representing a four per cent, or $181 million, increase on the previous year.

 

The spending includes $498 million for capital works, including redevelopments at Glenside, Lyell McEwin, Modbury, Queen Elizabeth (Stage 2), the Repatriation, Whyalla and the Women and Children’s Hospital.

 

“In conjunction with the Commonwealth Government, we are also building new GP Plus centres in Port Pirie, Noarlunga and Modbury." said State Treasurer Jack Snelling.

 

Included in the budget are the following initiatives:

  • $133.3 million over four years in additional resources to providing health services;
  • $62.7 million over four years, in partnership with the Commonwealth, to improve regional health services including redevelopments at: Mount Gambier and Port Lincoln Hospitals, a new five chair dental clinic at the Wallaroo Hospital and a new purpose built ambulance station in Mount Gambier;
  • $19.3 million in additional resources over four years to increase and support digital screening services at BreastScreen SA. The replacement of analogue with digital technology, together with the additional support, is expected to increase the number of women who can be screened by more than three thousand to over 76,000 in 2011-12; and
  • $15.6 million in 2011-12 for the continued expansion of regional cancer services to deliver chemotherapy to country patients under the guidance of Adelaide-based specialists.

 

The 2011-12 Capital Program also includes $54.7 million towards the $128.2 million redevelopment of the Glenside Campus to build a new state-of-the-art 129-bed mental health hospital, 15-bed intermediate care facility; new supported accommodation places for people with mental illness and drug and alcohol services.

 

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Stage 3A redevelopment has been delayed from 2012-13 to 2013-14. This will provide $125 million for a new clinical services building containing the Emergency Department, extended emergency care unit, imaging and nuclear medicine, outpatient clinics, and operating theatres with their associated support services.