This report outlines the findings of a review by NSW Health to explore how small hospitals in NSW are funded and look at ways to ensure small hospitals remain sustainable into the future.
In NSW, there are more than 100 small public hospitals across seven regional local health districts (LHDs). These facilities play an important role in providing vital health services for people in rural and remote communities.
Small hospitals are defined by the way they are funded. All small rural hospitals receive a block funding amount each year which is based on the NSW Small Rural Hospitals Funding Model (SHFM).
Over the past few years there have been growing financial challenges facing small hospitals due to rising costs of providing healthcare and declining rural and remote populations.
The review delivered five overarching findings and nine recommendations for action. NSW Health will seek to implement all recommendations, to ensure small hospitals are funded and supported to deliver high quality care across rural and remote NSW.