PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 3 MARCH 1989
I have today signed an agreement with the Victorian Premier,
Mr Cain, guaranteeing substantially increased Commonwealth
funding for the State's public hospital system over the next
five years.
As a result Commonwealth/ State funding arrangements for
public hospitals have entered a new era.
For the first time, the Federal Government has agreed to
index the grant not only to take account of general cost
increases, but also to reflect ageing and growth of the
State's population.
older people are major users of hospital services and the
new funding arrangements will ensure the grants keep pace
with the general ageing of the population.
This new formula will give Victorian public hospitals more
than $ 250 million in extra Federal funds over the next five
years. Under the new Medicare hospital agreements, Victoria will
receive $ 793 million in 1988/ 89, including $ 3.5 million
towards the cost of treating AIDS patients and $ 9.4 million
to fund a range of incentives designed to improve the
efficiency of the public hospital system.
The Premier has indicated that the incentive money will
enable the State to develop innovative approaches to reduce
the need for admission to hospital or to facilitate early
discharge. This year's initiatives will include extra day
surgery procedures, additional home nursing services and the
formation of palliative care teams in metropolitan and
country areas.
The new agreement provides proof of Labor's continuing
commitment to the principles of Medicare, and specifically
reinforces the right of public patients to free access to
hospital services according to medical need.
Both of our governments are totally committed to ensuring
that Medicare patients continue to receive comprehensive,
high quality care. In addition to the already substantial
funding provided by the State, the new Commonwealth grant
will enable Victoria to maintain the fine record of its
public hospitals.