The New South Wales State Government has unveiled a planned $1.08 billion spending package health capital works across the state to be spent over the next year.

 

Included in the capital works spending are major upgrades to metropolitan and regional hospitals to be conducted over the 2011-12 financial year.

 

Despite a significant worsening of the state's financial situation since the government's March election victory, State Treasurer Mike Baird has said that plans for health reform remain unchanged.

 

"In the budget this week there will be a significant increase in infrastructure spend across the state and, most particularly, in health," Mr Baird said.

 

Included in the capital works spend is:

  • $139 million expansion of the Campbelltown Hospital
  • $147 million extension to Royal North Shore
  • $170 million for an e-health project aimed at improving medication safety
  • $270 million for Wagga Wagga Base Hospital
  • $110 million for Port Macquarie Base Hospital
  • $79.8 million for Dubbo Base Hospital

 

The State Government also announced it will also continue its $84 million spending initiative to employ an additional 900 nursing staff in the state over the 2011-12 financial year.