The huge investment comes in addition to a$1.76 billion lifeline announced on Sunday for the state’s strained ambulance service to employ more than 1850 extra paramedics and build 30 stations.
Over four years,this funding will also provide an extra 210 ambulance support staff,52 nurses and eight doctors. NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said the service had been waiting three decades for such a boost.
NSW Ambulance will be releasing 200 offers of employment on Monday to already qualified eligible paramedics.
Health Services Union national president Gerard Hayes said it was an unprecedented outcome for fatigued paramedics who turn up daily for 16-hour shifts.
“Our members get so frustrated and upset when they can’t be there in time. They will give themselves until there’s nothing left to give,” he said.
“This is a generational announcement of a generational investment that will set up our state for a brighter future and ensure that people right across NSW,whether you live in metropolitan Sydney or regional NSW ... have the best healthcare possible.”
The funding announcements follow last month’s damning report from a parliamentary inquiry into regional hospitals that heard disturbing allegations of critical staff shortages and inadequate resources leading to significantly poorer health outcomes for patients,including premature deaths.
Perrottet said he welcomed the report but argued regional health had improved since the Coalition took office in 2011 and that work was continuing.
“It’s not a perfect system. We live in a vast state. Many areas are incredibly remote,” he said.
“It’s a balancing act across the board. But I’m very proud of the investments we’ve made. We want to have a system,wherever you live in this great state of ours,you have access to that health care.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said rural and regional communities would welcome the health workforce staffing boost.
The government has faced a growing tide of industrial unrest this year from teachers,nurses,paramedics and transport workers over a 2.5 per cent public sector wage cap which has failed to keep pace with the cost of living.
Union delegates met on Sunday,vowing to take further industrial action if rights for collective bargaining,“same job,same pay” contracts and a commitment ruling out further privatisation are not guaranteed in the budget.
A report released by the peak body representing unions on Sunday found frontline workers would be $2000-$2500 worse off a yearif the wage cap was not lifted.
The premier would not be drawn on whether his government would lift the wage cap in the budget,but said the outcome would be “fair and reasonable”.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the government acknowledged inflationary pressures on wages and would respond further in the coming weeks.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories,analysis and insights.Sign up here.