Special status for hospital

Brisbane Water Private Hospital at Woy Woy has been given "veteran partnering" status under new Federal funding arrangements, according to Member for Robertson Mr Jim Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd said veterans would now have greater access to quality hospital care and treatment.

Mr Lloyd said the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Scott, had advised that "veteran partnering" contracts had been signed with 46 hospitals in NSW and the ACT.

This was part of the Federal Government’s plan to provide an additional $750 million funding over five years for direct purchasing of hospital care for entitled veterans across Australia.

The 46 private hospitals joined two other private hospitals, Lady Davidson Private Hospital in Sydney and Albury-Wodonga Private Hospital, which were already operating as veteran partnering facilities.

"Veteran partnering gives veterans streamlined access to quality hospital services," Mr Lloyd said.

"The veteran partnering contracts give doctors increased flexibility in obtaining the best possible care for their veteran patients, by allowing them to admit entitled veteran and war widow and widower patients without obtaining prior approval from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

"Importantly, it means that veterans and war widows and widowers can access high quality services at locations convenient to them," Mr Lloyd said.

"Each of the hospitals has entered into a four-year contract, which came into effect from February 12.

"Veterans can continue to access care through private hospitals that do not have Tier One status, under Tier Two arrangements, provided prior approval is obtained."

Media release, March 1