NSW budget 2022-23: Focus on workforce with funds for virtual ambulance

The NSW government will spend an extra $4.5 billion this year on workforce measures to try to ease pressure on existing health workers and recruit new staff, along with a $3000 bonus for NSW Health employees in recognition of their work on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New initiatives for digital health in the budget include $94.5 million over four years to provide in-house secondary triage and alternative referral services within a new Ambulance Virtual Clinical Coordination Centre, and $57.2 million to develop a clinical interface for the Digital Baby Book, delivered under a intra-departmental Brighter Beginnings package for early childhood development.