- Record $3.2 billion Cook Labor Government health investment in 2024-25 State Budget
- $260 million investment into mental health, alcohol and other drug services
- More than $1.2 billion in funding for Western Australia's public hospital services
- $839 million in further health infrastructure spending - part of a $6.6 billion infrastructure investment across more than 100 projects
- Additional $154.6 million for emergency department access and long-stay patient initiatives across health and mental health
- Further $405.5 million for regional healthcare services including workforce initiatives, extension of priority programs including continued funding for the Kimberley Ambulance Service
- $200 million for Electronic Medical Record and Critical Health ICT Infrastructure programs
- Additional funding of $92.5 million for health system support services
The Cook Labor Government will invest a record additional $3.2 billion in health in the 2024-25 State Budget to boost hospital capacity, support the health workforce and improve patient access to care.
Under this Government, WA Health's annual budget has grown by 45%, from $8.8 billion in 2016-17 to $12.8 billion in 2024-25. In that same period, the State's health workforce has increased by more than 4,400 full-time nursing staff, and 1,800 full-time medical staff. Since 2021, more than 700 beds have been added across the system. A further 550 beds are in the pipeline, which is on top of the additional beds being added as part of the new Women and Babies Hospital.
This year's record investment includes more than $1.2 billion for core WA public hospital services. This increase is in recognition of the growing demand for services in Western Australia.
Mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) services will also be bolstered with a $260 million investment. Total spending on mental health, alcohol and other drug services has increased by 68 per cent since 2017.
A further $60.9 million will be directly invested into transforming child and adolescent mental health services, as part of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent (ICA) Taskforce recommendations, bringing the total State Government investment in ICA reforms to $143.6 million.
The Cook Government's focus on improving access to emergency departments and enhancing coordination of patients across the WA health system has been aided by additional funding of $154.6 million for health and mental health initiatives.
Key initiatives to improve patient access include:
- $1.1 million in 2024-25 to continue to deliver the Residential Care Line, a nurse practitioner-led service that supports staff working in residential aged care facilities to manage care of the older person in place;
- $28 million to continue the WA Virtual Emergency Department program, part of the State Health Operations Centre;
- $6.2 million over 2024-25 and 2025-26 for the Patient Transport Coordination Hub, also part of the State Health Operations Centre; and
- $8.6 million over 2024-25 and 2025-26 for the Co-HIVE program (East Metropolitan Health Service).
Key programs to help move long-stay patients who are clinically ready for hospital discharge into more appropriate accommodation and services include:
- $5.8 million over 2024-25 and 2025-26 to continue the Long Stay Patient Fund;
- $4.4 million over 2024-25 and 2025-26 to continue the Residential Respite Pilot Scheme;
- $15.5 million over 2024-25 and 2025-26 (with the Commonwealth to contribute an additional $6.6 million) to support the From Hospital to Home Disability Transition Care Program for 18 months; and
- $1.1 million in 2024-25 to continue delivery of components of the Integrated Older Adults Model of Care.
Major mental health and alcohol and other drug initiatives funded in the budget include:
- $32.2 million to support suicide prevention in our communities through delivering initiatives under the Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework 2021-2025;
- $13.6 million to boost the workforce at licensed private psychiatric hostels;
- $10.6 million to continue the Active Recovery Team program which provides recovery planning and crisis response for individuals with complex needs recovering from an acute or crisis episode;
- $10.1 million to increase funding for Non-Government Organisations delivering mental health, alcohol and other drug prevention and community services;
- $22.4 million to establish Acute Care and Response Teams (ACRTs) across Perth and the Great Southern;
- $19.5 million for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service's (CAMHS) Crisis Connect service to support children and their families to remain at home while waiting for an appointment with a CAMHS team; and
- $4.7 million to the 24-hour WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Brief Crisis Intervention Service.
The Cook Government is investing a significant $6.6 billion across more than 100 health infrastructure projects.
This includes a major investment of $72.7 million in additional funding for the replacement of essential medical and imaging equipment.
An investment of $204 million has also been approved for Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct Infrastructure.
For more information, visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"With this State Budget, my Government has once again made a record investment in the health of Western Australians - now and into the future.
"Western Australia has the highest per capita spending on public hospital services of any State, and this Budget builds on those solid foundations with $3.2 billion of new investment.
"Our major health reform program is gathering pace following the pandemic, ramping is tracking down, and we have already seen improvements in patients' access to hospital emergency departments and elective surgery.
"More and more people are presenting to emergency departments across Australia with complex needs. Here in Western Australia, we are expanding community treatment and support services to keep people out of hospital."
Comments attributed to Health and Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Our multimillion-dollar package to improve Western Australians' access to emergency departments and enhance coordination of patients across our hospitals is just one part of our health and mental health reform plan.
"Initiatives such as our State Health Operations Centre will create efficiencies in the WA health system and a more seamless experience for our patients.
"Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australians and reducing harms from alcohol and other drugs is a priority for this Government which is why we are making significant and ongoing investment into mental health and AOD services.
"Our significant health infrastructure investment will see progress continue on major capital projects including the new Women and Babies Hospital and other key assets."
