A re-elected Victorian government in Melbourne, Victoria, would employ an extra 2,800 doctors, nurses and other health professionals to treat hundreds of thousands more patients under a $1.5 billion health package, as well as provide an iPad for every doctor working in a public hospital, reports “The Age” (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-election-2010/record-investment-brumbys-15bn-health-pledge-20101108-17jto.html).
The article says the package would cover: the recruitment of 2,800 front-line health professionals over the next two years; $618 million to treat an extra 315,000 emergency patients; and $344 million to ensure more than 620,000 people get the elective surgery they need. It also includes $340 million for specialist services, like chemotherapy and intensive care; $36 million to provide dental care for more than 70,000 extra patients; and $33 million to create new doctor-training posts, half of which will be in the bush.