NT Budget: $26m for extra health staff and PPE

THE Gunner Government has committed $26 million of its $1.7 billion health budget to bring in extra staff and personal protective equipment (PPE) for its COVID-19 response

• NT public service crackdown as debt to hit $8.4 billion
• NT Budget: Chief Minister Michael Gunner to release Jobs First Plan with wage subsidies for small businesses
• Stamp duty discount for NT first home buyers to be extended until June 2021 as part of the Territory Budget

THE Gunner Government has committed $26 million of its $1.7 billion health budget to bring in extra staff and personal protective equipment (PPE) to respond to COVID-19.

The 2020-21 Budget outlines the Department of Health’s $1.703 billion planned expenditure for the financial year, which includes $88 million in Commonwealth funding.

The budget includes $26 million to boost the NT’s frontline health response to COVID with screening and testing, support at quarantine facilities, and operational costs like personal protective equipment.

The budget includes more funding support for NT’s front line health workers. Picture: Che Chorley

More than $70 million has been set aside in the budget for national critical care and trauma response and $20.7 million for disease prevention and health protection.

The government has also allocated $59.5 million in 2020-21 to support operational and maintenance costs of running quarantine facilities at Howard Springs and Alice Springs

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said this budget also invests in upgrades to mental health facilities in Darwin, with $45 million earmarked Top End Health Service’s mental health expenses in 2020-21.

OFFER EXTENDED: Amazing NT News subscription offer: Read everything for $1

He said there was also funding for new consulting rooms in Katherine, upgrades at Borroloola Health Centre, and the new multistorey carpark at Alice Springs Hospital.

Follow @tashemeck