Previous Thursday, the NSW Government released a discussion paper, which highlighted a proposal to restructure the NSW Hospital System, which mainly was a byproduct of the most recent COAG discussions.

Under the given proposal, new Local Health Networks would be established all across NSW, which will replace eight Area Health Services that are available at the moment.

The NSW Government is of the stance that the reforms will be capable in delivering an added $1.2 billion in funds to the NSW Health System over a term of four years and will lead to 488 beds that will function in NSW by the year
2010/11.

The given paper as well highlights some responsibilities that will have to be undertaken by the new Local Health Networks, which will also include geographical areas where they will be liable to operate and the supplementary roles of docs and clinicians in the administration of the hospices.

The administration of the networks will be in the hands of a Chief Executive and a Governing Council, which would comprise local clinicians and those individuals, who have health care management know-how plus community envoys.

Premier, Kristina Keneally said that the power would work in coordination with the community and health care specialists, so as to deliver a health system that can handle the local needs in a better way.