Health and Hospitals Fund – Announcement Details.

As this is now important I thought what it known of its purpose, so far, would be useful.

Here is the announcement release:

Investing In A Health System For The Future

13 May 2008

The Australian Government will establish a $10 billion Health and Hospitals Fund to support strategic investments in health as part of the Government’s reform agenda to equip Australia’s health and hospital system for the future.

The Health and Hospitals Fund will be the single biggest investment in health infrastructure ever made by an Australian Government.

The Health and Hospitals Fund will support future health infrastructure priorities, including investments in:

• health and hospital facilities and equipment as part of the Government’s health reform agenda;
• medical technology and equipment;
• major medical research facilities and equipment, including projects and facilities which will support better links between hospital-based clinical research and high quality clinical practice.

The Government will invest $10 billion in the Health and Hospitals Fund, drawn from the 2007-08 and 2008-09 surpluses. A proportion of future surpluses may be allocated to the Fund as appropriate.

Expenditure from the Health and Hospitals Fund will be subject to consideration through the Budget process each year.

The establishment of the Health and Hospitals Fund means the Government will not proceed with the establishment of the previous Government’s Health and Medical Infrastructure Fund.

In addition to our other commitments to health and hospitals, including an additional $1 billion for hospitals this year; up to $600 million to clear elective surgery waiting lists; $780 million for dental health; and $275 million for GP Super Clinics, the establishment of the Health and Hospitals Fund demonstrates the Government’s commitment, in partnership with State and Territory Governments, to equipping Australia’s health and hospital system for the future.

The Health and Hospitals Fund will be established by 1 January 2009.

The announcement is found here

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr08-nr-nr078.htm

Mr Bill Ferris AC has been appointed as Chair of the new Health and Hospitals Fund Advisory Board.

We will have to see if “medical technology and equipment” covers e-health!

David.