Health authority budget allocations over the next three years will reach the highest levels ever, climbing to $9 billion in 2010/11, announced Health Minister George Abbott.

Budget 2008 provides an additional $4.9 billion in new spending on health care across the province from 2008/09 to 2010/11, including $2 billion in additional funding for health authorities - an increase of 19 per cent.

"Our government is committed to providing the very best health-care system for every British Columbian, devoting two-thirds of all new spending in this budget to health care," said Abbott. "But we know money alone will not help us meet all the challenges ahead. That is why the Province is focusing on innovation, to ensure we are making the very best use of every taxpayer dollar."

The $2 billion in funding lifts for health authorities will give British Columbians access to more surgeries, diagnostic procedures and seniors' care beds, expanded mental health and addictions services and new health-care facilities in regions across the province.

Government has provided multi-year budgets to allow more effective planning. Today, health authorities received funding allocations for 2008/09 and planning allocations for 2009/10 and 2010/11, as follows:

Fraser Health
2008/09: $1,944.81 million
2009/10: $2,040.94 million
2010/11: $2,207.63 million
% increase: 24.2%

Interior Health
2008/09: $1,182.08 million
2009/10: $1,238.56 million
2010/11: $1,338.59 million
% increase: 18.8%

Northern Health
2008/09: $433.11 million
2009/10: $460.71 million
2010/11: $488.19 million
% increase: 17.6%

Vancouver Island Health
2008/09: $1,283.41 million
2009/10: $1,372.26 million
2010/11: $1,444.33 million
% increase: 18.0%

Vancouver Coastal Health
2008/09: $2,013.90 million
2009/10: $2,097.54 million
2010/11: $2,194.51 million
% increase: 13.6%

Provincial Health Services
2008/09: $1,171.61 million
2009/10: $1,264.08 million
2010/11: $1,329.02 million
% increase: 22.8%

Under Budget 2008, a new three-year, $300-million Transformation Fund was established to help drive change in technology, procurement, information and service delivery systems. A two-year, $75-million Innovation and Integration Fund will also be available to introduce patient-focused funding models.

"The $100-million Health Innovation Fund, one-time funding allocated in last year's provincial budget, has resulted in many successes across the health system," said Abbott. "These two new funds in Budget 2008 will build on that innovation, further improving care and ensuring the sustainability of public health care for our children and grandchildren."

Health authority funding covers the delivery of services including acute care, residential care, home and community care, mental health and addictions and public health. Allocations are determined considering factors such as demographics, patient flow, complexity of cases, remoteness and key government priorities.

These figures do not include capital funding, which will total $2.7 billion for health projects between 2008/09 and 2010/11, or funding for items such as laboratory fees and fees for physician services which are paid directly under the Medical Services Plan.

Total provincial health spending, including the Ministry of Health, health authorities, and health services by other ministries, totals $14.8 billion in 2008/09. This will increase to $16.5 billion in 2010/11.

SOURCE: Ministry of Health
HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO GET 19% INCREASE OVER THREE YEARS