RACP's media release on the October 2022 Budget

Wellbeing budget welcome but falls short of intervention to halt health crisis

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has welcomed key wellbeing measures and the delivery of health election commitments in the October Budget 2022, but says it falls short of what is required to protect public healthcare in the evolving crisis.

The RACP has also welcomed steps forward on several initiatives physicians have been calling for including:

• $314.8 million to help close the gap in First Nations health, including more money for infrastructure, workforce, training, and programs delivered through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
• $200 million for schools’ wellbeing programs and $270 million for updates to schools equipment and ventilation, both related to the RACP Kids Covid Catch Up plan.
• $3.4 million for establishing a National Health Sustainability Unit to drive the development of the Government’s National Strategy on Climate Health and Wellbeing.
• $3.2 million to undertake initial design for establishing an Australian Centre for Disease Control to improve pandemic preparedness and prevent chronic disease.
• Continuation of necessary Covid-19 measures including providing RATs to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, NDIS participants, aged care facilities and supported disability accommodation.
• $2.5 billion for the election commitment to increase residential care staffing minutes and require 24/7 nurse coverage.
• $10.5 million to establish the Office for Youth
• $23.9 million for the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability

Read media release