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Healthcare organisations in Queensland and around Australia looked to be heading for trouble when the federal budget was announced last month. In a budget that was harsh on one of the country’s most vital sectors, there seemed to be little respite from the funding cuts that were in line for healthcare providers.
A recently announced reprieve from the Queensland state government, however, will ensure that healthcare organisations in the Sunshine State will be protected from these cuts for at least another year. These reductions in funding come about as a result of the budget’s plans to abolish the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said that the reprieve was necessary as the cuts would harm not only the healthcare sector, but also the state as a whole.
“While the state hesitated to spread its health resources even further, it was necessary to provide some relief for Queenslanders reliant on programmes affected by the sudden changes,” he stated.
“I am pleased to announce that the Queensland government will provide $14.2 million to meet next financial year’s funding shortfall.”
As a result of the state government’s assistance, health service providers in Queensland – as well as universities and other non-governmental organisations – will not have to face any falls in payments for their preventative health partner projects over 2014-15.
“This government will also campaign strongly for the Commonwealth to reinstate its support for the programs listed under the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health,” Mr Springborg added.
“Even with a 6.4 per cent increase in health spending to $13.6 billion in [the state] budget, without Commonwealth support Queensland will be hard-placed to meet our aim of making Queensland the healthiest state.”
With Queensland’s government taking laudable action in stepping in to help out, the state’s healthcare organisations will be able to operate without the stress of funding cuts for at least another year.
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