![The Queensland government said it is investing $191 million in healthcare in the North West in Tuesday night's state budget. The Queensland government said it is investing $191 million in healthcare in the North West in Tuesday night's state budget.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/Y5kUJ9Q7iPMNzBC9i5WqCU/ca617d43-cfe3-437d-907a-715bc6d250d8.jpg/r0_153_4928_2935_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Queensland government said it is investing $191 million in healthcare in the North West in Tuesday night's state budget.
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Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the health budget for the North West was $9.1 million more than last year supporting 780 jobs in the North West Hospital and Health Service.
"On an average day in North West HHS, our hard-working doctors and nurses provide inpatient care to 75 patients, as well as delivering 633 non-admitted patient services, 162 specialist outpatient services and accident and emergency services to 121 people," Mr Miles said.
Mr Miles said the budget would include a $19.2 billion statewide investment in health.
"We're employing more doctors, nurses and allied health staff than ever before - this year's budget will see over 2630 more staff across Queensland," Mr Miles said.
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North West Hospital and Health Service's 2019-2020 budget includes:
. Implementing a North West HHS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy;
. Delivering specialist services to reduce the travel requirements for patients;
. Improving cardiac services by introducing a new Service Level Agreement with Townsville HHS to provide outpatient and investigation support;
. Working to decrease the three top negative health statistics for the region: obesity, smoking and drinking;
. Consulting with remote communities to expand dialysis services in order to provide renal services closer to home; and
. Collaborating with Mount Isa GPs to deliver an Emergency Department Primary Healthcare Transition Project.
Mr Miles said they were investing an additional $77.4 million to tackle waiting lists and improving patient access to specialist services and also $61.9 million of new mental health funding to support the new cross agency Shifting Minds flagship: Taking action to reduce suicides in Queensland.
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