Record Hospital Funding Must Improve Patient Experiences
01 Feb 2026
The plan will see the Commonwealth invest $219.6 billion in state and territory hospitals from 2026–27 to 2030–31, including $25 billion in extra funding—three times more than the previous agreement.
CHF CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny said the funding is welcome, but Australians want to see real improvements in hospital experiences, such as shorter waiting times and better access to care.
“Right now, people experience waiting lists, cancelled appointments, and closed books. Funding alone is not enough—it must translate into better experiences for patients,” Dr Deveny said.
The CHF urges governments to show how this money will improve care when people go to hospital, particularly in areas like outpatient services, staffing, and timely access.
A recent National Consumer Sentiment Survey of 5,000 Australians found that while 55% said there are some good aspects of the healthcare system, major improvements are needed. The top five priorities identified were:
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More doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers (66%)
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Lower cost of care and medicines (59%)
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Better access to care (42%)
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Higher quality of care (26%)
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Listening to patients more (25%)
Dr Deveny said the CHF will keep working with governments, hospitals, and communities to make sure this funding leads to real, measurable improvements, and that the consumer voice shapes decisions.
https://www.chf.org.au/
Source: Consumers Health Forum of Australia
