COUNTRY HEALTH

STATE BUDGET REPORT 2008

The Treasurer, the Hon Kevin Foley MP delivered the 2008 State Budget yesterday. (ie Thursday 5 June 2008)

Senior PSA officials President Lindsay Oxlad, General Secretary Jan McMahon and Chief Industrial Officer Peter Christopher attended yesterday's Budget lock-up.

The detailed Budget documents totaling several hundred pages are undergoing detailed analysis. The 2008-09 Budget provides for substantial new expenditure of $462.4 million over four years in the Health portfolio. Over half of this amount has been allocated to provide improved and increased health services. The budget also provides additional resources of $60.0 million over four year for the purchase of medical goods and services.

The following are a number of key items of general application:.

• Berri and Whyalla Hospitals will be expanded and their capacity increased so they can provide a more comprehensive range of services.

• The redevelopments at Berri and Whyalla Hospitals will include upgrades to operating theatres, emergency, rehabilitation, palliative care and mental health services.

• These redevelopments are in addition to the upgrades in Ceduna and Port Pirie contained in the 2007-08 Budget.

• BreastScreen SA will replace its two country mobile units to support its breast cancer screening program in rural and remote areas of South Australia. The support includes the purchase and installation of digital x-ray equipment.

The PSA will arrange to meet with executive management to discuss the implications for members working in country areas.

The PSA urgently welcomes feedback from members concerning the impact of Budget announcements, particularly with examples of how changes will affect the community as well as how they affect members.

The PSA is following up conflicting statements where the Treasurer states there will be job cuts while the Under Treasurer states there will not be cuts.

Any further queries, please contact: PSA Industrial Officer, Carly Cooper on 8205 3285 or email clc@cpsu.asn.au