NSW Government announces $10.3bn health investment

The NSW Government has announced a $10.3 billion investment in health over four years and a goal to recruit an additional 9000 health workers, expand services and ensure new hospitals are properly staffed when they open.

The government says the 2026-27 NSW Budget will support approximately 33,000 more emergency department (ED) presentations per year, an additional 2900 planned surgeries per year, around 16,000 inpatient services including emergency surgeries per year, and a boost to available renal dialysis care by 11,000 sessions per year.

NSW public hospitals have faced mounting pressure over recent decades, as the number of presentations increase and the complexity of cases worsen.

The government also says it will provide a further $2.9 billion to boost the wages of nurses and midwives.

Funding is also included to:

• fully open and operate four new major hospital developments — John Hunter, Shoalhaven, Nepean and Eurobodalla
• enhance services in Western Sydney, with Nepean Hospital providing more renal care, and Liverpool Hospital patients receiving greater access to medical imaging
• open 10 emergency department short stay unit beds in Ballina and Grafton to improve patient flow through busy emergency departments
• support regional communities, with the funding of services at Milton-Ulladulla, Wollongong, Cowra, Blayney, Moree, Muswellbrook and Finley.
   

“This is a record investment, underpinned by a record pay increase for the nurses and midwives who deliver exceptional care for the people of NSW every single day,” said Treasurer Daniel Mookhey.

“As the population gets older, health systems around the world are experiencing significant pressure — this health funding boost, the largest by far in the history of our state, reflects the enormity of this challenge and the priorities of this government,” said Minister for Health Ryan Park.

Image credit: iStock.com/Ruby Su