The absence of adequate healthcare can impose significant barriers to better quality of life. Since its election in 1999, the Victorian Labor Government has set about to build a public health system based on need, rather than ability to pay.

The Government’s over-arching strategy in the area of health, Meeting Our Health Challenges, is focussed on improving the public health system, particularly for those in rural or regional areas or outer suburbs, through increased investment in hospitals, better coordination of healthcare services and healthy lifestyle promotion.

Hospitals
Increased demand on public hospitals is being fuelled by the aging population and fewer GPs offering after-hours services or bulk billing. Despite this, patient waiting lists for Victorian hospitals have fallen. The Victorian Labor Government has rebuilt 48 hospitals and two new surgery centres, whilst it continues to invest in Day Hospitals in outer suburbs which provide specialist day-care and outpatient services. In addition to this, the Government will open an additional 112 beds in short stay units, day treatment centres and medi-hotels.

Over the next four years, $350 million will be provided to improve medical services in hospitals through:

• More maternity places
• Increasing dialysis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services
• Better chronic illness prevention through the Hospital Admission Risk Progam
• Investment in new and sophisticated technologies
• Expansion of the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme to assist rural patients
• Establishment of urgent care clinics, minor surgery, community rehabilitation, pathology, diagnostic services and specialist outpatient clinics at Day Hospitals

Emergency Services
In order to maintain quick response times, the Victorian Labor Government will continue to invest in the metropolitan ambulance system. Six ambulance stations are being rebuilt or upgraded and four have been upgraded from ‘on call’ stations to 24 hour crewing, whilst the establishment of seven new Peak Period Units will support ambulance services experiencing periods of high demand. In addition to this, the introduction of the Nurse-on-Call line gives all Victorians access to a registered nurse for advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Oral Health
In the area of oral health, the Victorian Labor Government is working towards increasing the number of dental clinics, expanding existing clinics and fluoridating rural water supplies. Five new public dental clinics have been opened since 2005, bringing the total number to 68. In 2007, the Government expects the total number of chairs in dental clinics will further expand. Of these, 256 will be in community dental clinics, a 66 per cent increase over the last eight years.

Mental Health
Under the national Mental Health Action Plan set out by the State and Commonwealth Governments, the Victorian Labor Government is focusing on community care, improved acute care facilities and mental illness prevention. Mental health funding in Victoria has increased by 73% and the following programs and services are being implemented:

• Early psychosis programs for young people
• Specific programs for women, including a program designed to address postnatal depression
• Expansion of community programs directed towards children and older people
• Expansion of dual diagnosis services
• Establishment of community participation, employment and accommodation programs for people with a mental illness

In addition to this, the Government is improving mental health facilities in hospitals and other health centres and mental health treatment teams will be based at the emergency departments of major hospitals.

Illness Prevention
Research continues to show that healthy diets and lifestyles can help prevent chronic illness and depression. Preventative health is being promoted through the Go For Your Life program, an initiative aiming to increase participation in physical activity and promote good eating habits.

Victoria’s aging population is being encouraged to maintain an active lifestyle through the seniors’ Go For Your Life program. Seniors are being encouraged to participate in the paid workforce, and greater opportunities to get involved in physical and social activities have been created.

Health Services Commissioner
The Health Services Commissioner has been established to provide free, confidential assistance for people wishing to make a complaint about a healthcare service and conciliates between parties.