“This research is fantastic news, because it shows how advances in healthcare are already helping to reduce that burden, enabling us to not only live longer, but live healthier too.”
Treasury’s analysis says the COVID-19 pandemic may have a lasting influence on how people expect to access healthcare, especially the accelerated take-up of telehealth consultations and virtual care delivered by hospitals. This could improve the early detection and management of chronic conditions.
“Positive changes should be embedded into the health system, and adequate and appropriate responses should continue to be delivered in a timely way to manage any longer-term challenges from the pandemic,” the paper said.
Mr Perrottet said NSW must “capitalise on the success stories from the pandemic” because they may allow more people easy access to the medical services they need.
The state’s health system is the biggest driver of projected expense growth for the NSW budget. Health expenses have grown from 24 per cent of total expenses in 1998-99 to around 28 per cent today. The 2016 intergenerational report said that without policy changes, health would reach 36 per cent of state expenditure by 2056.
