Department of Human Services Annual Report 1998–1999 Department of Human Services
Incorporating Health, Aged Care, Housing, Aboriginal Affairs, Youth and Community Services
555 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 GPO Box 4057 Melbourne Victoria 3001 DX 210081
Telephone (03) 9616 7777 Facsimile (03) 9616 8329
Internet website http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au
Published by the Victorian Government Department of Human Services
Melbourne Victoria
October 1999
ISSN 1321 1471
(0340799) The Hon John Thwaites MP Minister for Health 555 Collins St Melbourne 3000
The Hon Bronwyn Pike MP Minister for Housing Minister for Aged Care 555 Collins St Melbourne 3000
The Hon Christine Campbell MP Minister for Community Services 555 Collins St Melbourne 3000
The Hon Keith Hamilton MP Minister for Aboriginal Affairs 555 Collins St Melbourne 3000
Dear Ministers
In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to submit to you the Department of Human Services Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 1999.
This Annual Report covers a period of the previous Government’s administration and reflects the program arrangements and priorities which applied during that time.
Yours sincerely,
WJ McCann
Secretary Contents
YEAR IN REVIEW 5 Key Portfolio Achievements In 1998–1999 6 Business Developments 1 Transforming Business 21 12 Corporate Infrastructure Review 13 Finance Summary 14
SERVING PEOPLE 17 Mission and Key Result Areas 18 Portfolio Functions 20 Organisational Chart 22 Roles and Relationships in Service Planning and Purchasing 23 Purchasing Services 25 Assets and Resources 28 People Management 31
PROGRAM PERFORMANCE 33 Acute Health Services 34 Ambulance Services 42 Aged, Community And Mental Health 46 Disability Services 57 Office Of Housing 64 Public Health & Development 72 Youth And Family Services 78 Aboriginal Affairs Victoria 89 Rural Health 95 Corporate Leadership 101
FINANCIAL REPORT 105
APPENDICES 135 APPENDIX 1: Index of Compliance 136 APPENDIX 2: Staff Profile 139 APPENDIX 3: Application and Operation of Freedom of Information Act 1982 142 APPENDIX 4: Consultancy Registers 143 APPENDIX 5: Extent of Compliance with Building Act 1993 145 APPENDIX 6: Review of Legislation 147 APPENDIX 7: Year 2000 Compliance 149 APPENDIX 8: Major Departmental Publications 150 APPENDIX 9: Corporate Communications Activities 152 APPENDIX 10: Approved Overseas Travel 153 APPENDIX 11: Administration of Acts 155 Year In Review
’Our mission is to ensure that the
people of Victoria have access to services
that protect and enhance their health
and social well-being and to best allocate
available resources to meet their needs.‘ Key Portfolio Achievements in 1998–1999
The Department of Human Services Major sectoral reform in Primary Health continued in 1998 –1999 to implement and Community Support and in Youth and initiatives aimed at enhancing the Family Services was progressed. efficiency of its operations and Business process re-engineering under the strengthening the effectiveness of its innovative Transforming Business 21 (TB21) service delivery. project, savings and initiatives stemming from the Corporate Infrastructure Review Key achievements included the positive and the strengthening of linkages between Australian Health Care Agreement (AHCA) the planning and purchasing functions outcome, improvements to the financial within the Department have made position of hospitals, effective significant advances in developing more management of Year 2000 issues, and effective and streamlined operations. the continuing implementation of the Metropolitan Health Care Services Plan.
Policy and Strategy
1998–1999 Snapshot
Influence on National Health Agenda and Outcome of Discussions with Commonwealth
The Australian Health Care Agreement (AHCA) was successfully Increased funding as a result of the AHCA and DVA agreements negotiated. The new agreement brings significant benefits was passed directly to hospitals by way of additional operating to Victorian hospitals compared to prior agreements, and funds or additional funds for capital equipment. allows much greater flexibility for innovation in the way care is delivered. In force until June 2003, the new agreement reflects Total Commonwealth funding under AHCA, including the explicit recognition by the Commonwealth of demand pressures provision of health services to veterans, increased by $134 on public hospitals resulting from demographic change, million in 1998–1999. Together with the 1998–1999 State increased use of technology, and risk sharing in respect Budget, a total of $268 million additional funding was of changes to private health insurance coverage. provided to Victorian public hospitals in 1998–1999.
As part of a combined funding deal with the Commonwealth, a new agreement for the provision of hospital services to veterans was signed at the same time. This largely guaranteed funding in 1998–1999 at a full cost recovery level and therefore generated a significant increase in Commonwealth funding for 1998–1999. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
6 ■ Sustainability of Hospital Performance ■ Victorian Rural Health Strategic Directions and Output Delivery Rural Health Matters: Victorian Rural Health Strategic The financial position of the public hospital sector improved. Directions 1999–2009 was launched in May 1999. This strategy Implementation of the Hospital Financing Strategy ensured that brought together the key elements necessary to meet the additional State and Commonwealth funding was carefully Government’s commitment to the health of rural Victorians. applied to improve and sustain hospital performance and output delivery. Victorian health care networks and hospitals are operating at Australian benchmark cost efficiency levels. Critical response capability
■ New Commonwealth-State Housing ■ Year 2000 Contingency Planning Agreement Negotiated The Department played a lead role in coordinating and During 1998–1999 a new Commonwealth-State Housing supporting public hospitals in achieving Year 2000 readiness. Agreement (CSHA) was successfully negotiated, with a At May 1999 the public hospital sector had achieved: total of $1.2 billion funding over a four year period. ~ 97.6 per cent Year 2000 readiness
~ Remediation of over 41,000 business-critical systems
1998–1999 Snapshot
Response to the 1998 Gas Crisis
The Longford Gas explosion and resulting restriction in gas supply and industry response, with regional responses coordinated in September 1998 was met with a rapid and comprehensive through the regional offices, Health Care Networks and major response by the Department over a sustained period. hospitals, and private sector industry groups.
The initial response was to the fire itself, which required A Home Health Support Line call centre was also established at activation of the Department’s Medical Displan and Disaster 555 Collins Street and was staffed by health professionals and Support and Recovery Plan. Once it was evident that resulting administrative staff. The centre was available to all members limitation on gas availability would have far reaching impact of the Victorian population and provided advice on health and on the community and industry, the Public Health Emergency related matters, referrals to support agencies and approvals Plan was also activated. The central coordinating role required for exemptions from gas restrictions. in this crisis was unprecedented and involved every part of the Department. The Department was also active in providing information via press, media and pamphlet distribution for the general public The Department secured public access to emergency medical and industry covering all aspects of activity for a household services, and through the commitment of hospital staff, the without hot water, heating, or cooking capacity. In addition, hospital sector had secure emergency service capacity for advice was provided to Government about the public health the State established within 48 hours. The needs of the implications of industries unable to operate without gas. most vulnerable people in the community were able to be met through exemptions to the restrictions on gas use that The Gas Crisis represented a unique challenge for the were applied to the general community. Department and the health and community support sectors
that was met through a committed, dedicated and innovative Annual Report A 24 hour operations centre was established at 555 Collins response from all sectors, for which the Department wishes Street and became the nerve centre of the overall Department to extend its acknowledgement and appreciation. 1998–1999
7 Service Sector Reform and Redevelopment ■ Women’s Health Plan A draft of the Victorian Women’s Health Plan—a five year strategy to improve health outcomes for women—was ■ Primary Health and Community Support Services Redevelopment completed in 1998–1999. Major structural reform in the Primary Health and Community Support (PHACS) sector was significantly progressed in ■ Trauma Services Review 1998–1999. PHACS services responded positively to the The Review of Trauma and Emergency Services was released in Department’s plans for reform, with more than thirty proposals April 1999 and recommended shifting the focus from individual for ‘demonstration’ projects received. hospitals to the creation of an integrated State Trauma System.
■ Youth and Family Services Redevelopment ■ Rural Ambulance Victoria This redevelopment represents a significant change in the way Rural Ambulance Victoria was created on 1 March 1999 targeted services for children, families and young people from five former regional ambulance services. Its creation was will be purchased. During 1998–1999, the service redesign and designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of rural purchasing and performance measurement elements of the ambulance service delivery. redevelopment were completed, paving the way for the first phase of new purchasing arrangements in 1999–2000.
■ Ambulance Paramedic Education and Training
■ Aged Residential Care Redevelopment The mainstreaming of ambulance paramedic education and training commenced from 1 July under an agreement with 485 residential aged care places were transferred to the private Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, designed to contribute or charitable/voluntary sectors in stages 1 and 2 of the Transfer to the professionalisation of the ambulance workforce. Project, with additional funds spent in 1998–1999 to upgrade In addition, when completed in December 1999, the Centre those facilities retained by the State. for Ambulance and Paramedic Studies at Monash University’s Peninsula Campus will provide state-of-the-art training facilities. ■ Suicide Prevention Strategy A range of new initiatives was implemented as part of the Suicide Prevention Strategy. The initiatives included the ■ Turning the Tide Strategy Against Drug Abuse expansion of crisis assessment and treatment services; Drug Treatment Services were consolidated and expanded in additional residential rehabilitation services for young people; 1998–1999, including additional youth residential and home- and research into men’s access to health services and based withdrawal services, and additional women’s alcohol and innovative treatment of depression in young people. drug supported accommodation services.
■ Maternity Services Enhancement Strategy ■ Working Together Strategy Under the Maternity Services Enhancement Strategy, hospitals The Working Together Strategy commenced, involving the received additional funds in 1998–1999 to improve the quality program areas of Mental Health, Drug Treatment, Child and level of post natal domiciliary care and support, to improve Protection and Juvenile Justice. The aim of the strategy antenatal care, and to offer women more choices in models is to improve service responsiveness to clients requiring of maternity care available in public hospitals. access to a number of services in these programs. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
8 ■ Koori Services Improvement Strategy ■ Expansion of Supported Housing In 1998–1999 significant progress was made in implementing Supported Housing stock for people who are frail aged or have the Koori Services Improvement Strategy. The aim of the disabilities was increased by 28 per cent in 1998–1999. strategy is to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous people in Victoria by improving access, utilisation and effectiveness of the Department's human services in ■ Refining and Enhancing Statutory Services partnership with the Victorian Koori community. In 1998–1999, significant enhancements were introduced into the statutory child protection and placement services, and sustained improvements in the quality and consistency of ■ Strengthening Koori Health performance were achieved. Major practice improvements The Koori Health Reform Strategy was implemented to improve included the development and implementation of the Victorian the health of indigenous people in Victoria. Three pilot Koori Risk Framework and the Enhanced Client Outcomes initiatives. Health Outcome projects were conducted in three regions in Service enhancements were also introduced for the juvenile partnership with local Aboriginal communities. justice system, including the provision of additional resources for court advisory services.
■ Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Progress in 1998–1999 included successful completion of a pilot ■ Food Safety program to identify and document key Aboriginal sites and Significant progress was made during 1998–1999 to enhance places in partnership with Aboriginal communities. food safety for all Victorians with the establishment of Food Safety Victoria and associated initiatives, including a targeted communication strategy on food safety in food businesses. ■ Redevelopment of Kensington High-Rise Estate Redevelopment of the Kensington high-rise estate commenced with successful relocation of tenants and demolition of the high-rise tower at 72 Derby Street.
■ Implementation of the Segmented Waiting List for Housing Services Victoria became the first State to implement a Segmented Waiting List in 1998–1999, which enables people who are the most vulnerable and have least access to private rental markets to be allocated public housing first.
■ Expansion of Transitional Housing to Assist Homeless People Transitional Housing was expanded by 46 per cent to provide short-medium term accommodation for homeless people which is linked to other support services to help them access the most appropriate long term housing. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
9 1998–1999 Snapshot ■ Pneumococcal Pneumonia Immunisation Victoria took the lead in 1998–1999 in providing free vaccines Kosovo Refugees for persons aged 65 years and over, with direct distribution to GPs and nursing homes. The Department of Human Services played a key role late in 1998–1999 in the coordination and successful implementation of services to support the 1500 displaced Albanian Kosovars who ■ Medical and Public Health Research were offered temporary accommodation in Victoria. As a result The publication ‘Investing in Health—Strategic directions for of the conflict in the Balkans, the Commonwealth Government medical and public health research and development in Victoria’ offered temporary refuge to 4000 Kosovars in April 1999. Nearly was released in December 1998. The strategy will guide the 40 per cent were accommodated in Victoria, owing in part to this allocation of State Government funding to optimise the outcomes to be achieved from research. State’s significant population of people of Albanian origin.
The Department, through the Aged, Community and Mental Health and the Public Health and Development Divisions, ■ Congregate Care Redevelopment arranged for delivery of an extensive range of health and Relocation of clients with a disability from Pleasant Creek community services to the three ‘safe havens’ that were Training Centre to purpose-built community based established in Victoria: at Puckapunyal Army Base, Bandiana accommodation continued in 1998–1999. Base (near Wodonga) and the former Defence site at Portsea. The Department worked in close collaboration with the ■ Disability Services Self-Assessment System Commonwealth departments of Immigration and Multicultural Launch of The Disability Services Self-Assessment System Affairs, and Defence, which coordinated the national relief effort. occurred in April 1999. The System, and an accompanying The first 420 Kosovars arrived 15 days after contingency plans information and training program, assesses the quality of had been activated on 16 May; and all 1500 were in residence by current disability service provision, measures progress and 20 June. The Department coordinated the planning of obtains feedback from consumers. comprehensive health services and an extensive public health program, with the cooperation of the North West Health Care ■ Additional Disability Accommodation Places Network (through Northern Hospital), the Peninsula Health Care An additional 280 community based accommodation places Network, and Wodonga Regional Health Services. were created in 1998–1999 for those with the highest need, Departmental staff from Hume and Southern Metropolitan identified through the Disability Services Service Needs regions, and the Acute Health and Youth and Family Services Register (SNR). divisions in particular, assisted in the implementation of services. The Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre provided key mental health staff. Major non-government agencies involved in the partnership arrangements included the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture, and Dental Health Services Victoria. Local government authorities also played a major role, both through maternal and child health staff, and recreation provision (with the YMCA). Adult Multicultural Education Services coordinated education provision, with the cooperation of the YWCA (with the Free
1998–1999 Kindergarten Association’s Multicultural Resource Centre) in playgroup activities for the many children of pre-school age. Annual ReportAnnual
10 Infrastructure Development Responding to Victoria’s Cultural Diversity The Department of Human Services is committed to ensuring ■ Implementation of the Metropolitan Health Care that all the services which it provides or funds for the people of Services Plan Victoria are responsive to the needs of our multicultural Major projects completed in 1998–1999 included the new communities, and are accessible to Victorians from culturally Northern hospital in Epping, the new Broadmeadows Health and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Service incorporating a new Integrated Care Centre; new theatres at Sandringham, upgrade of obstetric services at Box A central Multicultural Strategy Unit has been established within Hill and the upgrade of theatres, wards and radiology area at the Public Health and Development Division. The Unit provides Williamstown Hospital. overall departmental leadership in this area, including responsibility for the development of a broad departmental Cultural Diversity Strategy, and for monitoring the effectiveness ■ Progress on New Hospital Developments of efforts to address the human service needs of Victorians from The new Latrobe Regional Hospital was commissioned and culturally diverse backgrounds. operated under contracted terms. The preferred bidder for Mildura Base Hospital was announced and construction The Department currently expends between $7 million and $8 commenced in May 1999. Berwick, Austin and Repatriation million annually on the provision of interpreting and translation Medical Centre and Knox projects were progressed. services for clients. Major efforts to reform and enhance the provision of language services are underway across the Department and individual program areas of the Department all ■ Housing Stock Acquisition made significant achievements during 1998–1999. These are Acquisition of 2,481 properties enabled a substantial increase individually highlighted in the relevant program-specific sections in Director of Housing owned stock to 70,566 properties. With of this Annual Report. the inclusion of leased and community owned properties, some 73,300 properties were available for housing assistance at June 1999.
Business process transformation
■ Transforming Business 21 Transforming Business 21 is a major strategy to transform the Department’s business processes through information and information technology. The strategy will enable the Department, in partnership with its funded service agencies, to transform the business processes which support the delivery of human services in Victoria.
■ On-line Information Stage 1 of the Internet-based Better Health Channel was
launched in May 1999. The Channel provides 24-hour, online Annual Report access to information about health, well-being and services and is designed to empower consumers through access to
high-quality information relevant to their needs. 1998–1999
11 Business Developments
The Department made significant progress in 1998–1999 on key Department-wide business initiatives that will develop more effective and streamlined operations.
Transforming Business 21 Six Business Initiatives are progressing the transformation strategy. The initiatives are: Transforming Business 21 was launched in April 1998 by the ■ Secretary. It is the implementation phase of the Department’s Purchasing Client Services. Information Services Strategy Plan, which identified that ■ Managing Clients. information technology offered a range of opportunities to
streamline internal business processes and to improve access ■ Managing Information. to and availability of information within the Department and in the community. ■ Managing Resources.
Transforming Business 21 is addressing key business practices ■ Managing Information Technology. and capabilities on a range of fronts relating to business ■ processes, information requirements and information technology. Transforming Client Centred Care.
It is focussed on: Achievements of Transforming Business 21 during 1998–1999 included: ■ Improving the Department’s priority business processes so that available resources can be best allocated to provide the ■ The launch of Stage 1 of the Internet-based Better Health right mix of services, at the right time and in the right places Channel. Better Health Channel is a new and exciting step to meet community needs. towards empowering consumers through access to high- quality information relevant to their need for information ■ Defining and delivering the information necessary for decision about health, well-being and health services. 1998–1999 making and planning for intelligent purchasing of client services.
■
Annual ReportAnnual Increasing community access to information about health, well-being and health services.
12 ■ Identification of a number of opportunities for immediate actions to improve business processes for the purchasing of Corporate Infrastructure Review client services. These included streamlining funds allocation, Savings of over $18 million over three years arising from the expanding purchasing options, better focusing of service State Government’s review of corporate infrastructure in the purchasing on client outcomes, and simplifying and focusing Department were identified and redirected to the following purchasing planning. service delivery initiatives:
■ Strategies for implementing an integrated case management ■ approach to address the needs of multi service clients were A targeted strategy to ensure a coherent, high quality service agreed and strategies to improve contracted case response to children and adolescents with particular health management in Juvenile Justice were identified. and development needs.
■ ■ Undertaking a feasibility study to explore how the Expansion of Personal Alert Victoria (formerly VICPACS) Department might encourage electronic service delivery in the personal response service for frail older people, people with a human services sector. physical, sensory, intellectual or psychiatric disability, and people who are isolated and vulnerable.
■ Completion of a major upgrade to the Department’s network and desktop software. ■ Establishment of a Depression and Anxiety Treatment Service (DATS), a new service model which will develop a partnership with primary care services. ■ Remediation of Year 2000 issues in the Department’s own information systems. Business management processes were also strengthened ■ Implementation of a new Human Resources Management following the Corporate Infrastructure Review with the creation Information System to meet Year 2000 deadlines and to of the Business Development Branch within Corporate Strategy enable employee electronic self-service of routine Division. This Branch has amongst its priorities, facilitating transactions. and encouraging cross program coordination, the streamlining of the Department’s purchasing processes to achieve greater Annual Report Annual Report consistency across program areas and strengthen links to planning, and supporting the implementation of key departmental business processes including tendering 1998–1999 and contract management, internal service agreements and business transformation.
13 Finance Summary
In 1998–1999, the Department recorded total operating expenses of $6,147 million. Table 1 records the operating expenses of each Output Group.
Table 1 : Total Operating Expenses by Output Group Table 2 : Output Group Asset Investment Program, 1998–1999 (a) 1998–1999 (a)
Total Actual Output Group Asset Total Actual Investment Program Budget Expense Budget Expense $M $M $M $M Acute Health Services 2,948 2,918 Acute Health 135 125 Ambulance Services 116 107 Ambulance Services 8 8 Aged Care and Primary Health Services 818 816 Aged Care and Primary Health Services 58 55 Mental Health Services 457 453 Mental Health 37 36 Public Health Services 166 164 Public Health and Development 7 7 Disability Services 556 541 Disability Services 25 24 Youth and Family Services 503 492 Youth and Family Services 20 20 Concessions to Pensioners & Beneficiaries 257 252 Concessions to Pensioners and Beneficiaries 0 0 Aboriginal Services 11 10 Aboriginal Affairs 2 1 Housing Assistance 413 393 Housing Assistance (b) 456 477
Total 6,245 6,147 Total 748 753
a) Excludes transfer of assets to Department of Treasury and Finance for disposal. a) This table includes Works in Progress and New Works and Annual Provisions. Annual Provisions funding is provided by Government for the on-going maintenance and upkeep of property, buildings and equipment. It usually includes minor works projects less than $250,000, equipment replacement and project design fees. b) In addition, the Office of Housing made debt repayments of $126 million.
Table 2 shows total expenses by each Output Group against the Department’s asset investment program of $753 million. The majority of the program for Output Groups in health and community services was funded from current output revenue with the balance of $88 million being funded by a capital injection from Government. The Office of Housing generated funds from internal
1998–1999 sources, Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement funding, asset sales and the utilisation of working capital funds. In addition, the Office of Housing made debt repayments of $126 million. Annual ReportAnnual
14 Tables 3 and 4 summarise the financial operations of the Department of Human Services from 1994–1995 to 1998–1999. The increase in Government revenue and expenses over this period reflects mainly:
■ Increased funding generated following the finalisation of negotiations with the Commonwealth on the Australian Health Care Agreement and with the Department of Veteran Affairs on the Hospital Services Arrangement for veterans.
■ The approval of additional funding for wage awards, general cost increases, service demand and quality increases, and Y2K remediation.
■ The introduction by the Government of a Capital Assets Charge based on total net assets of the Department and reporting agencies.
The increase in assets mainly reflects asset purchases and re-valuations. The reduction in liabilities in 1997–1998 mainly reflects the assumption by the Department of Treasury and Finance of the borrowings of the Director of Housing as at 1 July 1997. The 1998–1999 reduction reflects debt repayments by the Director of Housing. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
15 Table 3 : Summary of Financial Results, 1994–1995 to 1998–1999
Summary of Financial Results 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 Total Department Operating Revenue 337,704 383,924 335,212 351,724 317,853 Revenue from Government 4,521,984 4,872,342 5,123,453 5,413,100 6,196,338 Intra-Government changes, etc (13,977) (20,134) (16,979) (26,020) (4,283) Expenses 4,611,980 5,008,393 5,2201,588 5,502,768 6,193,569 Changes in Net Assets 233,731 227,738 240,098 236,036 316,339 (before abnormal and extraordinary items)
Table 4 : Summary of Financial Positions, 1994–1995 to 1998–1999
Summary of Financial Positions 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 Total Department Total Assets 7,363,448 7,340,576 7,029,359 7,173,264 7,564,344 Total Liabilities 2,651,607 2,553,436 2,257,417 850,986 742,932 Total Equity 4,711,841 4,787,140 4,771,942 6,322,278 6,821,412 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
16 Serving People Mission and Key Result Areas
The Mission of the Underpinning the Mission are four Key Result Areas (KRAs). To achieve its Mission, the Department’s services must: Department of Human Services is to 1. Protect and care for those at risk. ensure that the people of Victoria have 2. Be responsive to client needs. 3. Be accessible. access to services that protect 4. Be focused on performance and efficient management.
and enhance their health and social Program performance is reported in this Annual Report in terms of the Key Result Areas for the Department in 1998–1999. well-being and to best allocate available These KRAs reflect important organisational values and resources to meet their needs. imperatives over the longer term and provide focus for the Department in determining priorities, setting objectives and developing and implementing strategies and initiatives to improve the delivery of services to our clients. The framework of three year primary goals and associated strategies which guided the Department’s operations in 1998–1999 is shown overleaf. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
18 Mission
To ensure that the people of Victoria have access to services that protect and enhance their health and social well-being and to best allocate available resources to meet their needs.
Key Result Areas Protect and care for those at risk Be responsive to client needs Be accessible Be focussed on performance and efficient management
Primary Departmental Goals 1998–1999 to 2000–2001
Strengthen population Drive further Improve services for Improve and maintain Strengthen service Achieve a more wide interventions and performance the most vulnerable high quality services integration to better adequate mix and outcome measurement improvement in sectors of the client and facilities tailor services to equitable distribution of to underpin sectoral purchased and directly population for clients clients’ needs human services strategies delivered services
Key 3 Year Strategies
Implement models of Extend as Utilise evidence-based Meet and manage more integrated service appropriate the level Provide safe and research to underpin demand for increased Deal with the most purchasing tailored to of contestability and secure facilities for the responsive service model services arising urgent unmet needs the life stage or non-Government service Department’s clients development and inform from population and continuing care needs provision in the resource allocation technology changes of clients human services sector
Strengthen early Implement sectoral intervention and Modify service Develop and maintain Maintain a high Continuously improve strategies to address prevention services products to address the viability of essential level of technical the quality of human the needs of priority to reduce inappropriate identified gaps in human services in local efficiency in hospital service delivery target groups and unnecessary use service provision communities service provision. of tertiary services
Better utilise Enhance electronic Maintain and technology to improve service delivery and strengthen Victoria’s access to services, use of information leadership in medical particularly in technology across the research rural areas human services sector
Better utilise capital Contribute to the infrastructure to reform of improve community Intergovernmental access to finances and clarify local services responsibilities
Achieve best practice performance measurement within the Victoria Public Sector Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
19 Portfolio Functions
In 1998–1999, the The principal responsibilities of the Department in 1998–1999 covered the purchase or provision of: Department of Human Services ■ High quality, efficient health care services through the public hospital system, community health centres and ambulance covered the responsibilities of the services.
Ministers or Health, Aged ■ A range of public health protection and promotion services and specialist health care evaluation and epidemiology Care, Youth and Community functions.
Services, Housing and ■ Specialist community-based and inpatient mental health services for children, adolescents, adults and older people and community support and rehabilitation services. Aboriginal Affairs. ■ Residential and rehabilitation care to older and disabled persons, services to assist return home after hospital treatment, and services to enable these people to continue to live at home.
■ Adequate and affordable housing assistance, targeted to those Victorians most in need of housing. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
20 ■ A range of general community services for children and Most services are provided by agencies under funding and families. service agreements or contracts with the Department. These include Government-related agencies such as public hospitals, ■ Other human services programs which concentrate on the health care networks, public nursing homes, local government, provision of services to the vulnerable, including statutory community health centres, ambulance services, and a range of child protection and juvenile justice services. non-government organisations providing mainly community services. Housing services are predominantly purchased from ■ Programs to promote the economic and social development external agencies or suppliers under contractual arrangements. of Aboriginal communities and their cultural heritage. The Department also provides some services directly, including intellectual disability case management and accommodation services, child protection and juvenile justice services ■ Government concessions designed to ensure that low income and some tenancy services. groups are not denied reasonable access to essential services.
Figure 1 : Regions of the Department of Human Services
Loddon Mallee Region
Hume Region Grampians Region
Gippsland Region
Barwon South Western Region
Eastern Region Northern Region
Western Metropolitan Region Southern Metropolitan Region
Established following machinery of government changes in Department’s regional offices. This restructure was designed to 1996, this broad portfolio created the opportunity for all human focus head office functions on policy development and the services provided or purchased by the Victorian Government to setting of service requirements and standards for the purchasing be brought together under the one public administration. The of services by regions. Regions were seen to be best placed to capability was created for the integration of human services operationalise the integration of services at the community level delivery and purchasing around the needs of clients and through their local planning and purchasing functions. communities and for more effective allocation of resources across these services. Purchasing of hospital services in the metropolitan area Annual Report remained a head office function, due to the special size and The expanded portfolio was restructured during 1996 to more nature of the Department’s service agreements with hospital
clearly define the role of head office and decentralise local networks and the need for central planning and management of 1998–1999 purchasing decisions and contract management to the the casemix funding system.
21 Organisational Chart
The Department delivers its
services through an organisational structure
based around six functional divisions,
three corporate divisions and nine
geographic regions.
Minister for Youth Minister for Health Minister for Housing and Community Minister for Minister Responsible Services Aged Care for Aboriginal Affairs
CEO, provides Secretary advice and support to three Ministers
Corporate Strategy Corporate Resources Portfolio Services Division Division Division
Business Planning Financial and Secretariat and Analysis Administration Services Legal Services Intergovernmental Relations Information Services Corporate Communications Ambulance Services External Purchasing Support Media Unit Export Development Private Sector Contracts Internal Audit Business Development Capital Management Human Resources
Barwon South Northern Western Region Metropolitan Region
Aged Community Public Health Disability Youth and Acute Health Office of Aboriginal and Mental and Services Family Services Division Development Housing Affairs Health Division Division Division Division
Hospital Services Purchases a range of Focuses on the Provides care and Provides a range of Provides responsive The Victorian Planning aged, community health of the support for people community programs and affordable government’s central Services Purchasing and mental health population rather with intellectual, and family services housing assistance co-ordinating agency services which play than treatment physical, sensory to support the key to those most in for Aboriginal affairs Entity Ownership a key role in of the individual and neurological role of the family in need has statutory Promotion of Quality improving, restoring Focuses on the disabilities and society responsibility for in Services and maintaining underlying causes acquired brain Injury Includes protective Aboriginal cultural Policy Development people’s well-being of ill–health and Programs work and placement and heritage by providing preventative in partnership with support services management Capital Investment accessible and and protection and Planning strategies families and carers for children and responsive care in young people the enforcement the most appropriate of legislation setting. Also supports Rural Health Services Unit 1998–1999
Western Eastern Southern Gippsland Grampians Hume Lodden Mallee Metropolitan Metropolitan Metropolitan Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Annual ReportAnnual
22 Roles and Relationships in Service Planning and Purchasing
The role of the Divisions in the Department Divisions are responsible for:
is to create the framework within which ■ Developing, communicating and monitoring policy and service frameworks.
services are delivered while allowing ■ Providing service objectives and plans.
sufficient flexibility for regions to ■ Determining client eligibility (targeting).
purchase services in a way that ■ Defining outcomes and determining output specifications and structures at Output, Component and Activity levels. encourages local service integration ■ Providing Regional Directors with complete budgets specified at output or component levels or as agreed between divisions and responsiveness. and regions. Annual Report Annual Report
■ Planning and purchasing acute health services. 1998–1999
23 ■ Developing purchasing plans and determining prices for other ■ Developing elements of tender specification collaboratively services. with regions.
■ Developing assessment tools to ensure provider performance ■ Providing in a timely manner adequate access to all electronic can be measured/monitored. data systems and other data sets.
Figure 2 : Roles and Relationships in the Department of Human Services Service System
DEPARTMENT of HUMAN SERVICES
Government Divisions Regions Regions and Clients Providers Policy Directions and Statewide Service Regional Service Service Delivery Client Service Utilisation Strategies Planning, Development, Agreement and Outcomes Budget Directions and Specification and Regional Planning Redevelopment Priorities Purchasing and Contract Purchasing Plans and Management & Performance Monitoring Administration
Mission • Key Result Areas • Primary Goals • 3 year Strategies • Budget
In exercising their planning and purchasing functions, Regions ■ Purchasing services (excluding Acute Health) in accordance are responsible for: with programs’ purchasing plans and through a flexible budget within defined parameters to tailor responses which best meet the needs of clients. ■ Developing a regional plan to inform service provision and purchasing. ■ Extending competition and contestability into the process for contracting service delivery as appropriate. ■ Developing an understanding of client needs, the service system and the market place which will inform service purchasing. ■ Monitoring provider performance to ensure that purchased services meet acceptable quality standards and practice guidelines, and taking corrective action where performance ■ Developing a thorough understanding of the complementary is below target. roles of local providers in meeting client needs and identification of potential gaps or opportunities to maximise the use of local infrastructure. ■ Monitoring output delivery and ensuring that output targets are being met.
■ Ensuring that services to be purchased contribute to the achievement of the Department’s strategic objectives, are ■ Facilitating the development of a sustainable marketplace consistent with the regional plan and maximise the use of from which to purchase services. available resources. ■ Determining provider budgets and conducting regulatory ■ Ensuring that services to be purchased are packaged in a way audits of operational compliance. that is sensible from the provider market and client perspectives. ■ Identifying and communicating to program divisions and Corporate Strategy Division, opportunities for cross-program service initiatives or redevelopments. ■ Developing detailed services specifications that meet the 1998–1999 service needs of the region’s clients and also the outputs and outcomes determined by the programs. ■ Developing strong links between regions for sharing information on new services models and when dealing with agencies that provide statewide services or service to more Annual ReportAnnual than one region.
24 Purchasing Services
In 1998–1999, the Department External purchasing represented approximately $5.2 billion or about 89 per cent of the Department’s total output expenditure. externally purchased services from The bulk of the value of this external purchasing (80 per cent) was accounted for by approximately 250 acute health and over 2,750 provider agencies aged care agencies.
through funding and service The Department also provided services directly, representing $365 million or 6 per cent of the Department’s expenditure. agreements and other These services included intellectual disability accommodation, child protection, juvenile justice and some tenancy and mental contractual arrangements. health services. Areas of the portfolio differed significantly in the balance between external and internally sourced purchasing:
■ Health and Aged Care purchased $4.1 billion of services externally (97 per cent) in 1998–1999. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
25 ■ Youth and Community Services purchased $808 million of services externally (63 per cent) and $322 million internally (25 per cent), including $216 million for internally delivered Disability Services and $106 million for internally delivered Youth and Family Services.
■ Housing purchased $303 million of services externally (90 per cent) in 1998–1999.
DHS Current Expenditure 1998–1999 by Figure 3 External/Internal Purchasing
Internal delivery 6% Corp Support 5% External purchasing 89%
Health and Aged Care Output Budget 1998–1999 Figure 4 by External/Internal Purchasing
Internal delivery <1% Corp Support 3% External purchasing 97%
Youth and Community Services Output Budget Figure 5 1998–1999 by External/Internal Purchasing
Internal delivery 25% Corp Support 11% External purchasing 64%
Housing and Aboriginal Affairs Output Budget Figure 6 1998–1999 by External/Internal Purchasing
Internal delivery 8% 1998–1999 Corp Support 5% External purchasing 87% Annual ReportAnnual
26 The bulk of the Department’s external purchasing ($4.6 billion or Per cent of Service Plans in Agreements, 1998–1999 Figure 7 SAMS data currently excludes Housing agreements 78 per cent in 1998–1999) involved service agreements with Chart shows percent of service plans included in Service Agreements agencies funded by more than one program. Excluding agreements with pre-schools and child care centres, approximately 50 per cent of all service agreements involve Public Health 6% multiple program funding. Acute Health 3% YFS 64% Programs (excluding Housing) contributed funds totalling $3.2 Disability 9% billion to 15 acute care facilities. While the bulk of these funds ACMH 18% were provided by the Acute Health and Aged, Community and Other <1% Mental Health programs for the purchase of discrete services, Total 3459 Service Plans in 2748 Service Agreements the significance of multiple program funding is that it creates opportunities for the streamlining of purchasing.
Most service agreements were with Youth and Family Services Percent of Value of External Purchasing, 1998–1999 Figure 8 Excludes external purchasing by Housing valued at $303m in 1998–1999 in 1998–1999 but 95 per cent of these were service agreements with pre-school and child care centres. In value terms, 80 per cent of all external purchasing involves Acute Health and Aged, Public Health 3% Community and Mental Health. Ambulance 2% Acute Health 55% Numerically, responsibility for contract management of service agreements with external agencies was allocated primarily to Disability 5% regions, as shown in the table below, although the agreements YFS 11% managed by Head Office represented the bulk of external ACMH 23% funding provided by the Department, since they include Aboriginal Affairs 1% agreements with Metropolitan Health Care Networks.
Table 5 : Responsibility for Management of Service Agreements by Head Office or Lead Region, 1998–1999
Lead Region or Office Number of service agreements, 1998–99
Head Office 99
Gippsland 164
Grampians 176
Barwon-South Western 189
Loddon Mallee 205
Hume 215
Western Metropolitan 256
Northern Metropolitan 394
Eastern Metropolitan 503 Annual Report Annual Report Southern Metropolitan 547
Total 2,748 1998–1999
27 Assets and Resources
The Department holds a large land and Capital assets are used by the Department’s directly delivered services and by various external service providers, through lease building asset portfolio valued at agreements, in all program areas across Victoria.
approximately $8.2 billion. The Department owns 70,566 properties through the Office of Housing that are utilised for the purposes of public housing. In addition, the Department controls ten institutional residential facilities and approximately 440 community residential facilities which are utilised for the purpose of providing accommodation and support to young offenders, the intellectually disabled and state wards.
In 1998–1999, the Department spent approximately $276 million on capital works in health, aged care, and youth and community services, and $477 million in housing capital projects. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
28 Table 6 : Major projects in the Department’s Asset Investment Program, 1998–1999(1)
Project Program Project Scope Total End Total Cost Expenditure to Date, as at 30 June, 1999
Sunshine Hospital Acute Enhance current role. Expand general services including 24,400,000 1,804,000 Redevelopment Health paediatric, obstetric, gynaecology, general surgery and general medicine.
Ballarat Base Redevelopment Acute Redevelopment of emergency, imaging, intensive care, day 20,500,000 1,176,000
Stage 2 Health surgery, procedures, outpatients, allied health and ancillary services.
Royal Women's Acute Service Acute Upgrading of acute clinical services including interim urgent and 19,114,000 5,158,000
Provided at Other Hospitals Health essential needs projects.
Royal Children's Acute Service Acute Upgrading of acute clinical services including infrastructure 15,000,000 1,235,000
Provided at Other Hospitals Health projects.
Bendigo Health Care Redevelopment Acute This component of the BHCG project includes the 60 bed acute 12,013,700 12,013,700
Health ward, new theatre and day procedures unit, emergency department,
medical imaging, pharmacy, allied health and outpatients facilities.
Dandenong Acute Clinical Upgrade Acute Upgrading of acute clinical services. Refurbishment, infrastructure 12,000,000 5,134,000
Health upgrade and construction of new acute wards.
Inner & Eastern Health Care Aged Care Improve access and physical amenity of aged, extended care and 20,500,000 1,101,000
Network — Aged Care Services rehabilitation services in the Inner and Eastern Health Care Network.
Redevelop Caulfield General Medical Centre, St Georges and
William Angliss hospital and to relocate Manvantara hospital.
Queen Elizabeth Centre Ballarat Aged Care Staged funding which will complete rehabilitation, allied health, 8,500,000 1,980,000
Redevelopment palliative care and main front building facility. This stage of the
project also allows for the Psychiatry/Aged Care/Acute evaluation
management/streams of care component of the project.
Queen Elizabeth Centre Ballarat Aged Care / Staged Ballarat Health Service aged care redevelopment at 15,000,000 15,000,000
(QECB) Redevelopment Acute Health QECB site. New facility for 30 bed nursing home and 30 bed
rehabilitation ward.
Bendigo Health Care Extended Care Aged Care Construction of streams of care and rehabilitation facilities on the 12,036,000 12,036,000
Redevelopment Anne Caudle site. Annual Report Annual Report Sunshine Hospital Aged Care Aged Care The development of aged care and rehabilitation facilities including 10,200,000 795,000
Services a 30 bed rehabilitation ward, a 20 bed geriatric evalutaion
and management (GEM) unit, a 20 bed dementia unit and a refurbished 1998–1999
and expanded community rehabilitation centre
29 Project Program Project Scope Total End Total Cost Expenditure to Date, as at 30 June, 1999
Ambulance Services Vehicle Ambulance Purchase and fitout of new replacement ambulances. 2,500,000 2,500,000
Purchases Services
Central Bayside Community Health Co-ordinated Redevelopment of the former Mordialloc/Cheltenham hospital site 3,360,000 2,971,000
Service Care to accommodate the community health service co-located with
similar municipal services.
Barwon Health
Geelong Community Health Co-ordinated Stage 1—Community Health Centre redevelopment at Newcomb 3,100,000 695,261
Service—New Facility Care and Geelong.
Adult Training Support Services Disability Purchase and construction of ATSS Facilities. 11,260,000 7,600,000
Services
Thomas Embling Hospital (Fairfield) Mental Construction of a 135 bed forensic facility including 120 psychiatric 29,483,985 26,511,000
(Victorian Institute of Health beds and 15 intellectual disability services clients.
Forensic Medicine)
Royal Melbourne Hospital Mental Construction of a 41 bed acute psychiatric unit consisting of 25 adult 8,650,000 6,730,000
John Cade Adult Psychiatric Unit Health acute, 8 eating disorder and 8 eating disorder and 8
neuropsychology beds. The project also uncluded outpatient clinics
and day procedure facilities.
Western Hospital Sunshine Secure Mental Construction of a 26 bed adult psychiatric secure extended care unit 7,100,000 7,100,000
Unit Health and a 20 bed psychogeriatric admission and assessment unit.
Australian Red Cross Building Public The ARCBS—Victoria needs to upgrade and redevelop their central 3,500,000 3,500,000
Health laboratories and processing facilities to meet the new standards of
the community. Therapeutic goods administration total gross area
is 1054m2 at a cost of $3,320 per m2
Parkville Youth Residential Services Youth and Redevelopment of the Parkville Juvenile Justice Centre, including 13,517,006 12,330,000
Family the Remand and Control buildings of the Melbourne Juvenile
Services Justice Precinct.
Acquisitions Housing Acquisition of properties and land for public and community n/a 297,300,000
managed rental housing, to expand stock numbers and reprofile
stock to meet client requirements.
Redevelopments Housing Redevelopment of public housing properties, to improve density, n/a 18,300,000 1998–1999 amenity and match of housing types and sizes.
Physical Improvements Housing Physical Improvement and upgrade of public and community n/a 121,600,000
Annual ReportAnnual housing properties, to improve property condition and safety..
30 People Management Upholding Public Sector Conduct In accordance with the principles set out in the Commissioner Managing and Valuing Diversity in Our Staff for Public Employment’s (CPE) Direction, ‘Managing Underperformance’, the Department developed a ‘Managing The Department implemented a range of merit and equity Underperformance’ Policy Standard. strategies throughout the year. These comprised policy initiatives to ensure compliance with the Commissioner for In conjunction with, and to support that policy standard, a Public Employment’s Directions issued under the Public Sector ‘Warning Procedure’ Policy Standard was also developed and Management and Employment Act 1998. The Department also implemented. Both policies have been widely promoted by undertook a range of initiatives to advance the Department’s targeted training throughout the Department. status as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Staff were also reminded of the importance of the need to The Department’s Merit and Equity strategies are based on the comply with appropriate standards of conduct with the release Government’s articulated goals of adapting to the needs of a of the Department of Human Services’ Purchasing Guide. This diverse and evolving community; ensuring the workforce reflects guide deals with all purchases made within the scope of the the labour market and client base; ensuring practices and Victorian Government’s Purchasing Board’s Supply Policies and policies are free from unlawful discrimination; and ensuring Guidelines. The guide also stresses the importance of probity staff have access to a grievance process that addresses and of the need for staff to maintain the highest ethical breaches of merit and equity. standards when spending public funds. Approximately 700 staff have been trained in purchasing administration with particular Specific Merit and Equity outcomes in 1998–1999 included: regard to ethical practices so as to avoid conflicts of interest
■ Development and implementation of Regional Merit and and ensure the integrity of purchasing processes. Equity initiatives. The Department’s Eastern Region was awarded an Office of Public Employment Managing Diversity Award for its Language Development Program for people with Staff profile limited English language skills. The Department’s Barwon- A total of 9,444 staff (FTE) were employed by the Department South Western Region established a Carer’s Room for staff. of Human Services at 30 June 1999. The majority (65 per cent)
■ The Department was awarded an Office of Public Employment of these staff were female, and worked from regional offices Managing Diversity Award for its Work and Family policy. (78 per cent). Just under half (46 per cent) of Departmental staff had been employed by the Department for less than five years. ■ Achievement of the employment related aspect of the Department’s Koori Services Improvement strategy, for example, post and undergraduate scholarships and scholarships for students undertaking the Diploma of Community Services; postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships for indigenous employees; mentoring program for Koori staff.
■ Introduction of a number of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Managing Diversity related questions into the Employee Climate Survey. The overall results reflect that the Department is well positioned in relation to EEO and diversity comparing equally with overall government sector norms. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
31 Total Department Staff involved in Direct Service Delivery, Figure 9 Corporate and Other Functions EFT
Program Management, Purchasing and Policy 26%
Corporate 11% Direct Service Delivery 63%
Table 7 : FTE by Classification and Gender as at 30 June 1999
Classification Female Male Total
Child, Adolescent and Family Welfare Officers 958 442 1,400
Facility Services Officers 61 68 129
Health and Community Services Workers 369 64 433
Housing Services Officers 268 174 442
Intellectual Disability Services Officers 2,150 913 3,063
Mental Retardation Nurses 230 181 411
Various Other Classifications* 72 176 248
Victorian Public Service Officers 2,028 1,290 3,318
Total 6,136 3,308 9,444
*Includes Executive Officers 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
32 Program Performance Acute Health Services
The Acute Health Division is responsible for Public acute hospital services were purchased in 1998–1999 from six metropolitan health care networks comprising 24 managing the provision of high quality, metropolitan hospitals, as well as two denominational hospitals in the metropolitan area and 77 non-metropolitan hospitals. efficient and accessible hospital and hospital These hospitals deliver inpatient, emergency and ambulatory care, including innovative programs such as ‘Hospital in the based services in Victoria. It is the largest Home’.
program within the Department of Human Functions of the Acute Health Division Services with expenditure in 1998–1999 The Acute Health Division manages the purchasing and delivery of hospital services through the following broad functions: being almost $3 billion, around half the ■ Service Planning involving planning the distribution of acute hospital inpatient services, ambulatory and emergency annual outlays of the Department. services as well as the development of community based services which substitute for inpatient care.
■ Service Purchasing through purchasing of services on an output basis, financial monitoring and evaluation of service providers, information collection and reform of the hospital
1998–1999 services market. Annual ReportAnnual
34 ■ Promotion of quality in services through development of performance measures and support for quality improvement Focus on Performance and Efficient strategies and innovations. Management
■ Entity ownership including monitoring and analysis of the Throughout 1998–1999, the Department made significant financial and management status of the public hospitals. advances towards strengthening the financial position of the hospital sector. ■ Policy Development underlying service delivery and including input into intergovernmental processes and the negotiation of ■ Taking into account additional funding negotiated under new the Australian Health Care Agreement, regulation and arrangements for the provision of health services to veterans, monitoring of the private hospital industry and the ongoing funding flowing from the Commonwealth Government to function of developing new services and reviewing current Victoria for hospitals increased by $134 million in 1998–1999. services to meet client needs. Increased funding as a result of the Australian Health Care Agreement was passed directly to hospitals by way of ■ Capital investment planning including evaluation and policy additional operating funds or additional funds for capital support for the development of new infrastructure for acute equipment. Together with the 1998–1999 State Budget, a health services, ongoing maintenance of existing hospitals as total of $268 million additional funding was provided to well as allocation of annual equipment grants. Victorian public hospitals in 1998–1999.
There are ongoing challenges for the delivery of acute health ■ Under the Hospital Financing Strategy implemented in services. Growth in population, population ageing and newly 1998–1999, these additional funds were applied to: available clinical treatments, drugs, diagnostic tests and other technological developments are all increasing the ~ Improve hospital liquidity levels in order to meet ongoing demands for treatment and ability to meet these demands. operating requirements. To meet longer term objectives for the hospital system and respond to these increased demands, service delivery priorities ~ Provide sufficient resources to upgrade necessary medical equipment and technology. in 1998–1999 were: ~ Support key quality initiatives such as the maternity ■ Management of case payments and distribution, including strategy, effective discharge policies and an increase in demand management and capital planning. popular innovative programs such as hospitals in the home and post-acute care. ■ Establishment of systems to measure, monitor and improve the quality of acute health care services. ■ Preliminary (unaudited) financial results for 1998–1999 indicate a surplus of $63.5 million for the hospital sector ■ Implementation of information technology in hospitals to as a whole—a turnaround from the financial position of support clinical decisions and encourage changes in hospitals in 1997–1998. management practice which lead to more effective outcomes. ~ The most significant improvement in performance came ■ Increased contestability of service delivery. from the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre and North Western Networks. Following Department-led ■ Review of the Health Services Act 1988 and continued restructuring, these networks reported a preliminary implementation of national competition policy. surplus of $1.1 million and $9.6 million respectively in 1998–1999, compared with deficits of $8.7 million and ■ Maximisation of the State’s financial position in negotiation $11.9 million in 1997–1998. of Commonwealth-State funding agreements.
■ Separate ‘tender-based’ funding was extended, to increase Key strategic achievements in these areas in 1998–1999 are contestability in the provision of hospital services. This reported below in the context of the Department’s Key Result funding was distributed to hospitals on the basis of Areas. competitive bids for additional throughput. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
35 Figure 10 Total Hospital Separations 1991–1992 to 1998–1999
1991–1992
1992–1993
1993–1994
1994–1995
1995–1996
1996–1997
1997–1998
1998–1999 0 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000
Victorian Hospitals Continued to Treat More Output Delivery Performance in Acute Health Services Patients in 1998–1999 Emergency Services ■ The productivity of Victorian hospitals continued to improve, with approximately 220,000 more patients treated in Quantity 1998–1999 than in 1992–1993. Hospitals treated these Occasions of emergency care number 1.06 1.056 patients at Australian benchmark efficiency levels, based on (million) data released by the Steering Committee for the Review of Quality Commonwealth/State Service Provision. 24 hour emergency departments number 33 33
Timeliness Emergency category 1: per cent 100 100 Table 8 : Output Delivery Performance in Acute Health treated immediately Services Emergency category 2: per cent 75 82 1998–99 1998–99 treated in 10 minutes Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual Emergency category 3: per cent 72 76 Performance Measures Measure treated in 30 minutes Admitted Patients
Quantity Home Based Services Weighted Inlier Equivalent number 759,000 777,900 Separation (WIES) (multi day Quantity and same day services) (a) Hospital in the Home number 67,000 83,272 Separations (a) number 923,000 949,900 (HIH) bed days (e) Quality Public hospital beds accredited per cent 90 76 Post acute care clients number 4,000 7,070 by the Australian Quality Council or the Australian Council on Quality Healthcare Standards (b) Compliance with HIH program per cent 100 100 policy and guidelines Timeliness Urgent (Category 1) patients number 0 or 0 of waiting more than 30 days Training and Development for elective surgery Quantity (as at 30 June) (c) First year graduate nurses number 985 909.5 Semi-urgent (Category 2) number 2,550 3,623 places (EFT) (f) patients waiting more than 90 days for elective surgery (as at 30 June) (c) Specialist Services Reduction in number of per cent 5 9.2 Quantity emergency admission annual Whole blood collections (g) number 220,000 211,286 blockages (patients waiting change more than 12 hours) (d) Quality Average annual donations per donor number 2 2 Non-admitted Patients 1998–1999 Quantity Outpatient encounters number 1,891,000 2,053,000 (Victorian Ambulatory Classification System Annual ReportAnnual Group A patients)
36 a) Variation reflects availability of additional funding sources including ~ The total number of hospital business-critical systems hospital business unit income and additional AHCA funds directed to was over 41,000, involving a review of more than waiting list patients. 100,000 items of medical equipment across the State. $67.8 b) Some large hospitals previously accredited were not resurveyed before 30 million was provided to remediate business critical systems June 1999. These hospitals have booked in to undergo a reassessment and equipment, with additional funds being invested directly during 1999–2000. The inclusion of these hospitals would increase the by hospitals. percentage of beds accredited to 87%. c) Variation reflects demand pressure and recent changes to the Elective ■ Surgery Information System (ESIS) to measure performance over the whole Victoria has taken a lead role in establishing a local and reporting period rather than at the reporting date. national pharmaceutical and medical supply chain project d) Variation reflects the impact of a much less severe outbreak of influenza to manage the supply of pharmaceuticals, medical gases and during 1998–1999 than was anticipated. critical consumables in the event of Y2K-related disruption. e) Variation reflects incentive payments encouraging providers to perform in excess of target. ■ Formal links were also established with the private hospital f) Variation reflects changed output definition. Some funds were applied to and nursing home sector. additional nurse education programs not funded by EFT. g) Lower than anticipated collection in 1998–1999 attributed to closure of ■ Overall, as at June 1999, the Victorian public hospital sector blood collection site in the city and new site opened in Bundoora. had achieved:
~ 91.6 per cent Contingency Planning Major Hospital Service Reviews were Completed
■ Major service reviews were completed in 1998–1999, ~ 97.6 per cent Year 2000 Readiness including: ~ 95.2 per cent of all business-critical systems remediated. ~ The Review of Trauma and Emergency Services by the Ministerial Taskforce on Trauma and Emergency Services, Progress on New Hospital Developments in released by the Minister for Health in April 1999. 1998–1999
■ The new Latrobe Regional Hospital was commissioned in ~ A review of radiotherapy services and cystic fibrosis September 1998 and has operated within contract terms services. from that date.
~ An evaluation of the range, accessibility and acceptability ■ A preferred bidder was announced for the new Mildura of the HIV/AIDS services at the Alfred Hospital and of the Base Hospital in March 1999 and construction commenced infectious diseases services at the Royal Melbourne in May 1999. Hospital, completed in early 1999 and implementation of the review’s recommendations commenced. ■ A preferred bidder for the Berwick Community Hospital was announced in April 1999. The Acute Health Division took a lead role in implementation of the hospital Information, Information ■ Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre and the Knox Hospital Technology and Telecommunications (IT &T) Strategy and projects were also progressed in 1998–1999. the management of Year 2000 (Y2K) issues for the provision of hospital services.
■ $25 million was committed in 1998–1999 to assist public hospitals improve their utilisation of information technology and telecomunications. These funds were largely redirected to assist in meeting Y2K requirements in the hospital sector.
■ The task of remediating high-risk business-critical systems covering medical equipment, information technology, building,
plant, engineering and telecommunications was substantial Annual Report as public hospitals comprise approximately 75 per cent of the State's business-critical systems. 1998–1999
37 A review of the Health Services Act 1988 was Hospital in the Home initiated in accordance with implementation of National Competition Policy ■ The Hospital in the Home program continued to expand with nearly 100,000 bed days of care provided, an increase of over ■ The Discussion Paper for the review was released for public 16,000 days from the previous year. This program enables comment in March 1999. people to be treated in the comfort of their own home. The most common form of treatments were chemotherapy and intravenous antibiotics. Be Responsive to Client Needs Post-Acute Care Maternity Services Enhancement Strategy ■ Post-acute care is a time-limited, short term intervention ■ Under the Maternity Services Enhancement Strategy, $12.9 designed to assist patients recuperate following an acute million was distributed in 1998–1999 to hospitals that hospital admission. A joint initiative of the Acute Health and provide maternity services to improve the quality and level of Aged, Community and Mental Health Divisions, post-acute post natal domiciliary care and support, to improve antenatal care funding enables the purchase of individually tailored care and to offer women more choices in models of maternity packages of services such as home nursing, personal care, care available in public hospitals. home care, delivered meals and allied health following discharge from hospital. ■ Funds were distributed to Networks and rural regions to assist them implement improvements identified in their ■ Services were provided to over 10,800 clients in 1998–1999, Maternity Services Enhancement Plans. Particular Koori almost double the previous year. The number of services maternity initiatives were also funded and work commenced provided to these clients increased from almost 200,000 to to consult with Koori women and health services to over 350,000. determine the most appropriate allocation of targeted Koori maternity support funds. Provision of Hospital Services for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Quality Improvement Funding ■ In 1998–1999, approximately $4.8 million was provided to ■ $1.5 million was made available to hospitals for programs or public hospitals to improve access to services for both projects that promote evidence-based health care. admitted and non-admitted patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds through the provision of ■ Projects funded examined issues including improving interpretation, translation and culturally appropriate services. disease management, particularly asthma and diabetes; improving emergency medicine; reducing clinical risk ■ Approximately $4.0 million was provided to large public through early identification; improving clinical practice hospitals through Non English Speaking Background Grants in high volume DRGs, such as stroke; and improving and a further $820,000 was provided through capped credit continuity of care through the development of critical line arrangements between acute health services and the care pathways in rural services. Central Health Interpreting Service (CHIS) and the Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service (VITS). Continuity of care between hospital and the home was supported by a series of initiatives in 1998–1999 Monitoring of Patient Satisfaction with Public Effective Discharge Strategy Hospital Services ■ The Department commissioned a study examining options for ■ In 1998–1999, the Effective Discharge Strategy was launched the ongoing monitoring of patient satisfaction across key to assist health care providers to improve their patient areas of hospital performance. The report from this discharge practices. Hospitals reviewed their processes consultancy made a number of recommendations which the for discharging patients to home or other services and Department is considering. developed improvement plans in consultation with general practitioners and other community providers. 1998–1999 ■ An extensive audit of patient records was undertaken to provide an indication of current discharge processes. A total of $3 million was made available in performance Annual ReportAnnual bonuses to reward better performing hospitals.
38 Percentage of Triangle 1, 2 and 3 Patients Seen Figure 11 Within ACEM Recommended Waiting Times
100
90
80
70
60
50 Percentage of Category 1 Patients Treated Immediately 40
Percentage of Category 2 30 Patients Treated Within 10 Minutes 20 Percentage of Category 3 Patients Treated Within 30 Minutes 10 Jun - 1995 Jun - 1996 Jun - 1997 Jun - 1998 Jun - 1999 Sep - 1995 Sep - 1996 Sep - 1997 Sep - 1998 Dec - 1995 Dec - 1996 Dec - 1997 Dec - 1998 Mar - 1996 Mar - 1997 Mar - 1998 Mar - 1999
■ The Department also began a major survey of patient Melbourne Hospital; new secure and extended care and satisfaction amongst veterans and war widows in Victoria to psycho-geriatric units at Sunshine Hospital and the upgrade provide information on the perceptions of the quality of care of obstetric services and wards at Box Hill Hospital and the being delivered. oncology unit at The Alfred.
■ A new model of care called ‘hub’ and ‘spoke’ was also Breast Disease Service Redevelopment Strategy implemented for the delivery of ophthalmology and paediatric services in the metropolitan area. Under this model, highly ■ In 1998–1999 the Breast Care Implementation Advisory Committee completed its review of breast care services. specialised services are maintained at one or two locations Recommendations outlined in the Breast Disease Service referred as the ‘hub’ while high volume or lower complexity Redevelopment Strategy highlighted the need for a statewide services are provided at more accessible locations, called service delivery model that promotes quality, accessibility and ‘spokes’, in other Networks. coordination with a focus on meeting the needs of consumers and implementing evidence-based best practice. ~ During 1998–1999, the Women’s and Children’s Health Care Network contracted with Sunshine and Williamstown Hospitals to provide paediatric services ■ In January 1999, $1 million was allocated to commence the and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital contracted implementation of the Strategy with the creation of the with the Maroondah Hospital and Broadmeadows Health Breast Care Victoria Coordination Unit and the development Service to provide low complexity ophthalmology services. of a statewide Breast Services Enhancement Program. This program is an initial purchasing policy which aims to model and enhance strategies in multi-disciplinary care, access to ■ In Rural Victoria, major capital works projects included the breast care nurses, improved continuity of care and redevelopment of Ballarat Base Hospital and the upgrade communication, information and support for women with of facilities at West Gippsland and Tallangatta Hospitals. breast disease. ■ Equipment funds of $57.6 million were allocated to public hospitals as either general or specific purpose grants for the Progress in Major Acute Health Capital Works purchase of medical and other hospital equipment. Specific Projects grants were targeted to small rural hospitals and for other projects including Year 2000 compliance, infection control ■ The 1996 Metropolitan Health Care Services Plan provided for and renal dialysis. capital investment in hospital and related health services of over $950 million up to 2004. By June 1999, the Department ■ Total capital expenditure in 1998–1999 including equipment had received funding approval of $405 million from the State funding totaled $163.77 million. Government for the delivery of a range of hospital, aged care, mental and community health capital works projects as part of the Metropolitan Health Care Services Plan. Be Accessible
~ The Plan is on schedule to deliver its key commitments; Monitoring and Managing Access to Acute Health to provide new facilities or relocate services closer to Services where people live; to shift services to community Emergency Care settings, to introduce new service delivery models and provide services from more efficient and appropriately located facilities. ■ In 1998–1999 all urgent patients requiring emergency
care (triage category 1) received immediate treatment and Annual Report improvements occurred in the proportions of patients in ■ Major projects completed in 1998–1999 include the Northern triage categories 2 and 3 treated within the target times Hospital at Epping, the Broadmeadows Health Service of ten and 30 minutes respectively (see Figure 3).
incorporating a new Integrated Care Centre; the Cranbourne 1998–1999 Integrated Care Centre; new theatres at Sandringham Hospital; new theatres, wards and procedure room at Royal
39 Patients Who Stayed in the Emergency Figure 12 Department for More Than 12 Hours because a Hospital Bed was Unavailable
1,600
1,400
1,200
100
800
600
400 ED stays > 12 hours 200 ■ The number of people experiencing admission block (that is patients who stayed in the emergency department for more than 12 hours prior to being admitted to an inpatient bed) decreased in this period as did the number of ambulance Oct - 1998 Oct - 1996 Oct - 1997 Oct - 1995 Feb - 1999 Feb - 1997 Feb - 1998 Feb - 1996 Apr - 1999 Apr - 1998 Apr - 1996 Apr - 1995 Jun - 1998 Jun - 1996 Jun - 1997 Jun - 1995 Jun - 1999 Dec - 1998 Dec - 1996 Dec - 1997 Dec - 1995 Aug - 1998 Aug - 1996 Aug - 1997 Aug - 1995 bypasses (see Figures 12 and 13).
Critical Care Figure 13 Ambulance Bypass by Month
■ The average level of intensive care beds open in 1998–1999 450 was 92.2, an increase over the average level for 1997–1998
400 of 86.5. This reflects the impact of several initiatives to
1994–1995 350 improve access, including introducing targets to reduce
300 inappropriate inter-hospital transfers of critical care patients. 1995–1996 250 1996–1997 200 Elective Surgery 150 1997–1998 100 ■ Although total elective surgery throughput continued to 1998–1999 50 increase in 1998–1999, total waiting list numbers increased by 16 per cent over the year.
■ Factors contributing to increasing demand for elective surgery included: Jun - 1995 Jun - 1996 Jun - 1997 Jun - 1999 Sep - 1995 Sep - 1996 Sep - 1997 Dec - 1995 Dec - 1996 Dec - 1997 Mar - 1996 Mar - 1997 ~ Increased use of public hospitals for elective surgery Trends in Waiting Lists and Demand by privately insured patients due to the increased gap Figure 14 (Rising Activity) payments and out of pocket expenses under current al Waiting List 50,000 private health insurance arrangements.
Total Waiting 45,000 List Trend Line 40,000 ~ Rising consumer expectations and demand for care. Total Elective Separations 35,000 Total Elective 30,000 ~ The development of new technologies which enable Separations Trend Line 25,000 treatment for conditions previously untreated.
~ The ageing of the population.
■ Despite these pressures, management of elective surgery Jul - 1996 Jul - 1997 Jul - 1998 Jan - 1997 Jan - 1998 Jan - 1999 Sep - 1996 Sep - 1997 Sep - 1998 Nov - 1996 Nov - 1997 Nov - 1998 Mar - 1997 Mar - 1998 Mar - 1999 May - 1997 May - 1998 May - 1999 waiting lists ensured that virtually all Category 1 patients (the most urgent category of need) continued to be treated within Number of Category 2 Patients the designated clinically appropriate time of 30 days. Figure 15 waiting for more than 90 days (see Figures 11,14 and 15)
1994–1995 4,500 ■ During 1998–1999, a Review of Elective Surgery Waiting 4,000 1995–1996 Lists supported the current system of categorising patients 3,500 according to clinical urgency to ensure that patients with 1996–1997 3,000 the highest clinical need are treated more quickly. However, 2,500 1997–1998 it recommended a range of measures which could be 2,000 implemented by the Department, Health Care Networks 1999–1999 1,500 and hospitals to improve access to elective surgery. These related to funding of the system, best practice in waiting list management and the elective surgery incentive program. Progressive implementation of the Jul Oct Feb Apr Jan Jun Sep Dec Aug Nov Mar May recommendations of the report commenced in 1998–1999. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
40 Protect and Care for Those At Risk Metropolitan Health Care Networks
Infection Control Initiatives Peter MacCullum Cancer Institute ■ $7.8 million was distributed in 1998–1999 to establish best practice infection control and to assist hospitals to address Maroondah Hospital priority issues identified in a comprehensive survey of infection control policies and practice which took place in Peter James Centre all Victorian public hospitals in 1996–1997. Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
■ In addition, an Expert Working Group has met to develop St Georges Health Service a state-wide system for monitoring and reducing hospital acquired infection rates. Yarra Ranges Health Service
Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre Clinical Risk Management Program Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre ■ Four clinical risk management pilot programs continued through 1998–1999. Each examined models for system Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre improvements and the active management of risks that threaten the provision of safe clinical care. Southern Health Care Network
Dandenong Hospital Table 9 : Metropolitan Health Care Networks* Hampton Rehabilitation Hospital
Kingston Centre North Western Health Care Network Monash Medical Centre—Clayton and Moorabbin Campuses Melbourne Extended Care and Rehabilitation Service
Royal Melbourne Hospital Sandringham and District Memorial Hospital Western Hospital Williamstown Hospital Peninsula Health Care Network Northern Hospital Frankston Hospital Bundoora Extended Care Centre Sunshine Hospital Rosebud Hospital Broadmeadows Health Service Mt Eliza Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service
Women’s and Children’s Health Care Network Denominational
Royal Women’s Hospital St Vincent’s Hospital Royal Children’s Hospital Mercy Public Hospitals Including—East Melbourne and Werribee Inner and Eastern Health Care Network Campuses
The Alfred Caritas Christi Hospice Caulfield General Medical Centre Bethlehem Hospital Angliss Health Services Box Hill Hospital Annual Report Annual Report
* Includes Acute and Aged Care Facilities, excludes Community Health Centres 1998–1999
41 Ambulance Services
The key role of the Ambulance Services The Branch is also responsible for the monitoring of government- funded Victorian ambulance services and therefore works closely Branch of Corporate Strategy Division with the ambulance services to identify opportunities to improve the quality, response times and cost-effectiveness of services. is the development of policies, standards It also works to ensure an increasingly skilled workforce through continuing improvements in clinical techniques. and guidelines to improve the delivery Emergency ambulance services in the metropolitan area are of ambulance services. provided by the Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS) while in country areas these services are provided by Rural Ambulance Victoria (RAV) and the Alexandra and District Ambulance Service. Each ambulance service has its own distinct organisational structure designed to maximise its ability to provide high quality services. Ambulance Services output group expenditure in 1998–1999 was $107 million.
The Metropolitan Ambulance Service has outsourced its non- emergency division to contractors, which are subject to the same performance audit requirements as the MAS. A number of private companies compete to undertake non-emergency transport services, on agreement with hospitals, in the
1998–1999 metropolitan and rural areas. Annual ReportAnnual
42 Figure 16 Ambulance Service Caseload
1997–1998 Non -Emergency
Emergency 1998–1999 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000
With the ageing of the population and changes in treatment ■ The establishment of the Cardiac Arrest Register, patterns, Victoria is facing a continuing increase in demand for administered by MAS, will enhance the research capability ambulance services. At the same time, the ambulance service into the health outcomes of patients suffering from cardiac system is under pressure to meet rising community expectations arrest. The information generated will then be used to improve clinical practice. of faster response times for emergency cases. In this context of increasing demand for services, the key strategic achievements in ambulance service delivery in 1998–1999 are reported below Development of Victorian Ambulance Clinical in respect of the Department’s Key Result Areas. Information System and Cardiac Arrest Register
■ The Victorian ambulance industry and the Ambulance Services Branch have begun to develop the Victorian Protect and Care for Those at Risk Ambulance Clinical Information System to create a consistent ambulance service clinical data set, linked to Implementation of MAS Emergency Operations Plan hospital databases, which will enable research into health outcomes in relation to specific and aggregated episodes ■ To meet anticipated increases in demand for ambulance of patient care. services and to reduce emergency response times, MAS began implementation of its Emergency Operations Plan. Part of the implementation involved deployment of three new MICA Paramedic Response Units in Bundoora, Be Responsive to Client Needs Clayton and Hampton Park and one new Emergency Ambulance in Carnegie and the extension of hours for Treatment for Drug Overdoses eight other emergency ambulances and one MICA Paramedic Single Responder. ■ As part of the Turning the Tide program, ambulance paramedics across the state undertook training in the administration of the anti-narcotic drug Narcan. These Emergency Response Initiatives officers were also trained in the intramuscular administration of glucagon to patients suspected of suffering hypoglycaemia. ■ The Key to Survival initiative was launched in April 1999 As a result, the number of officers trained in administering to increase the survival rate for ‘out of hospital’ cardiac these drugs has tripled and the incidence of resource arrest. The initiative has two main components; the first of intensive dual responses to emergencies has declined. which is ‘Learn CPR—the Key to Survival’, a community training program in Cardio-Pulminary Resuscitation. Making Ambulance Services More Accessible to ■ The second component is the proposed establishment of People of Diverse Linguistic and Cultural CERTs which are locally based volunteer Community Emergency Response Teams to act as first and co-responders Backgrounds with ambulances to medical emergencies in geographically ■ Over recent years the Ambulance Services Branch and the isolated and developing communities. ambulance services have been working together to make these services more accessible to people of diverse linguistic ■ To further enhance the survival rate from sudden out-of- and cultural backgrounds, including training for ambulance hospital cardiac arrest, the Emergency Medical Response officers to increase cultural awareness and responsiveness (EMR) pilot program was conducted. The EMR seeks to and the development of a multi-lingual guide for use by achieve improved response times to cases of suspected ambulance crews. cardiac arrest through the simultaneous dispatch of ambulances and suitably trained and equipped fire brigade ■ During 1998–1999, Ambulance Service Victoria commenced units. The conduct of the six month pilot led to a reduction in production of a multi-lingual booklet ‘How to call an response times in the pilot area. Ambulance in an Emergency’ which provides information in Annual Report 15 community languages on calling an ambulance. 1998–1999
43 Output Delivery Performance in Ambulance Services Be Accessible
Table 10 : Major Outputs/Deliverables Achievement of Response Time Targets in Context of Rising Caseload
1998–99 1998–99 ■ One of the key indicators of performance for emergency Performance Measures Unit of ambulance services is response times. During 1998–1999, Measure Target Actual metropolitan ambulances arrived on the scene within Emergency Services 14 minutes of being requested in 90 per cent of time critical cases despite a 7 per cent increase in the number Quantity of such cases. Metropolitan cases number 178,600 189,212 Country cases (a) number 70,400 69,343 Rotary wing cases number 1,200 1,411 ■ Growth was also experienced by the country services with response times remaining relatively unchanged despite a Quality 9 per cent increase in overall caseload. Audited cases meeting clinical per cent 90 n/a practice standards (b) ■ In all, ambulance services responded to almost 300,000 Timeliness cases in the metropolitan area and a further 106,000 Emergency response time (Code 1) in minutes 8 9 cases in country Victoria. 50 per cent of cases – metro (c) Emergency response time (Code 1) in minutes 14 14 90 per cent of cases – metro (c) Be Focussed on Performance and Efficient Management Non-emergency Services (road and fixed wing)
Quantity Amalgamation of Rural Ambulance Services Road cases number 147,800 147,008 Fixed wing cases number 3,500 3,608 ■ In 1998 the Rural Ambulance Amalgamation Project Team Quality was created by the Department to develop and manage the Audited cases meeting clinical per cent 90 n/a establishment of Rural Ambulance Victoria (RAV). The practice standards Implementation Plan it developed guided the development of RAV’s new structure and operational area boundaries. Externally Based Clinical Training ■ The creation of RAV in March 1999 from five former regional Quantity ambulance services is intended to provide opportunities for Student course days number 700 700 strengthened management and planning functions, increase Quality the focus on quality of clinical services and increase Students successfully per cent 95 94 consistency in service operations. completing course
Timeliness Qualified applicants per cent 100 100 Ambulance Officer Education and Training
admitted to course ■ In July 1998, Monash University was contracted to establish an ambulance studies centre to provide ambulance education a) Variation reflects changed target. Target reported in Budget Paper 3 was and training. A purpose-built state-of-the-art training facility based on preliminary data. known as the Monash University Centre for Ambulance and b) System for reporting clinical practice under development during Paramedic Studies (MUCAPS) will be completed at the 1998–1999. Peninsula campus by the end of 1999. Work is also c) Emergency Code 1 refers to a time critical incident to which one or more proceeding on the development of a pre-employment training ambulances are dispatched. model for ambulance paramedics together with degree conversion courses for paramedics. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
44 Investment in Ambulance Service Infrastructure Figure 17 Ambulance Services Source of Funding
■ Investment in information technology infrastructure was a high priority for the ambulance services in 1998–1999. With technical support and financial assistance from the Other 5% Department, the ambulance services commenced an Subscription 22% extensive Year 2000 remediation and contingency planning program to ensure there would be no disruption of their Transport Fees 22% services in the lead up to and beyond January 2000. Government Funding 51%
■ With additional financial support provided by the State Government, MAS and RAV commenced an accelerated program to replace the ambulance vehicle fleet.
Other Management Initiatives in 1998–1999
■ An extensive, independent review of the Ambulance Services Act 1986 was completed under the Government’s National Competition Policy. The Government’s response is yet to be determined.
■ The Ministerial Taskforce Report on Non-emergency Patient Transport was completed and draft service standard specifications have been developed.
■ Consistent with Government policy on full cost recovery, the fees for emergency ambulance transports charged by MAS were increased in 1998 to a full cost recovery level. The subscription rates, however, remained unchanged, while pensioners and health care card holders continue to receive ambulance services free of charge. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
45 Aged, Community and Mental Health
The mission of the Aged, Community and In 1998–1999, the Division had three output groups—Aged Care, Coordinated Care and Mental Health. Figure 18 shows Mental Health Division is to purchase a the proportion of expenditure for these three outputs in 1998–1999. range of aged, community and mental
health services which play a key role in
improving, restoring and maintaining
people’s well-being by providing accessible
and responsive care in the most
appropriate setting.
Figure 18 Output Group Expenditure 1998–1999
Aged Care 48% 1998–1999 Mental Health 36% Coordinated Care 16% Annual ReportAnnual
46 The Division’s outputs encompass a wide variety of services Table 11 : Primary Health and Community Support and products, ranging from clinical interventions for people Redevelopment in residential or inpatient care to health promotion campaigns This redevelopment aims to systematically reform the Primary Health and targeted at the wider community. The specific services Community Support (PHACS) sector by building on its strengths to create a purchased by the Division include: true service system which is both internally coherent and which has effective links to other healthcare and social support services. ■ Home and community based services for the frail aged, disabled and carers. The redevelopment has four specific objectives:
1. To deliver a quality, consumer friendly service. ■ Palliative care. 2. To encourage health and well being through disease prevention, health ■ Aged care rehabilitation, sub-acute and specialist health promotion and social support. services, and nursing homes. 3. To create an easier-to-use system for consumers and providers.
■ Dental care for low income people. 4. To link a broad range of providers in an integrated health care and support system.
■ Services for people with drug and alcohol problems. The process for reform of primary health and community support (PHACS) services has been highly collaborative, and has included extensive ■ Community health services, including allied health care, consultation with service providers, clients and carers. women’s health services, sexual assault services, family planning services and self-help programs. Highlights of the PHACS redevelopment in 1998–1999 included:
■ Commonwealth funding was secured for a number of important initiatives ■ Mental health assessment, treatment and rehabilitation to increase accessibility to PHACS services, including: services, including specialist services for children and adolescents, older people and offenders. 1. A 24–hour telephone information, triage and referral service.
2. Information management projects. ■ Health promotion programs and activities. ■ A major policy statement/strategic directions paper was released.
The Division’s services are purchased from over 600 different ■ Providers were invited in February 1999 to form alliances and prepare agencies, ranging from the metropolitan Health Care Networks submissions to run demonstration projects. Of 32 submissions, 26 were to local councils and non-government organisations. approved or approved-in -principle.
■ Guidelines for integrated disease management pilot projects were developed. Funding was secured from the Commonwealth National Health Development Fund for four pilot projects to commence in 1999–2000.
■ Work commenced on an integrated client assessment initiative.
Key strategic achievements in Aged, Community and Mental Health in 1998–1999 are reported below in the context of the Key Result Areas and associated strategies identified in the 1998–1999 Departmental Plan.
Protect and Care for Those At Risk During 1998–1999 the Aged, Community and Mental Health Division put considerable effort into developing service delivery and funding models to assist high-need clients—especially
those with multiple and complex needs—to obtain access to the Annual Report full range of services they require. The initiatives included a wide range of cross-program projects within Aged, Community
and Mental Health and between Aged, Community and Mental 1998–1999 Health programs and other areas of the Department and Government.
47 People with Drug or Alcohol Problems People At Risk of Suicide
■ A number of initiatives were established under the Suicide ■ The Drug Diversion Pilot Project commenced in September Prevention Strategy to reduce the incidence of suicide in the 1998. As part of this trial, people arrested by the police for community by providing treatment and support to high risk using and possessing small amounts of illicit drugs receive individuals. The initiatives include: a caution only, on the condition that they attend a drug treatment service for an assessment and appropriate ~ Expansion of crisis assessment and treatment services. treatment. ~ Sixteen new residential rehabilitation services for young ■ A 12-month pilot project to provide drug treatment services people at risk of suicide. to young people released from Justice Youth Training Centres commenced in January 1999. Relevant alcohol and drug treatment services are purchased for young offenders from ~ Four research projects to investigate: older men’s access community-based agencies. to services; younger men’s access to services; and innovative treatment models for depression in adolescents in metropolitan and rural areas. ■ The CREDIT Pilot Program commenced in November 1998. As part of the nine-month pilot program, non-violent alleged offenders with serious drug problems were given the opportunity to be remanded on bail to attend treatment. Young People At Risk The pilot was sponsored by the Chief Magistrate, and ■ The Working Together Strategy was launched in March 1999, involved Department of Justice, Victoria Police and the involving the program areas of Mental Health, Drug Department of Human Services. Treatment, Protection and Care and Juvenile Justice. The aim of the Strategy is to improve service responsiveness to clients ■ Funding was also provided for two pilot projects which aimed requiring access to a number of these service systems, and to to improve service delivery for the following ‘dual diagnoses’ strengthen the Department’s linkages at an operational level clients: with the Department of Education, the Department of Justice and Victoria Police. ~ People with acquired brain injury and alcohol/drug problems. ■ Phase One of the strategy is focusing on improved outcomes for young people 12–18 years and their families/carers. ~ People with alcohol/drug problems and a serious mental illness. Dental Care for Vulnerable Groups
■ Many high-need clients do not receive necessary dental treatment. In 1998–1999, access to public dental services for vulnerable groups was enhanced through the expansion of ‘special needs’ dental projects, as outlined in Table 12. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
48 Table 12 : Community Dental Health Service, Special Needs Projects Project Agency Funded Service Provision Target Group
Homeless Youth Dental Corio CHC Basic dental care provided at funded Homeless Youth Projects Colac CHC agencies Inner South HS
VFST Dental Project Victorian Foundation for VFST purchases one course of general care Clients of VFST who have high dental needs Survivors of Torture per client from participating agencies. Also requiring priority access and/or additional provides support to clients and staff training support as required
Turning Point Dental Project Turning Point Alcohol and Turning Point purchases dental services from Turning Point clients with high dental needs Drug Centre North Yarra CHC Fitzroy
Dental Plus Inner South HS Basic dental care provided at Inner South HS People with HIV/AIDS
Psychiatric Disability Dental Inner South HS Outreach visits to supported residential People with psychiatric disability Project services and basic dental care provided at Inner South HS
Health Time Western Region CHS Outreach visits to SRS People in SRSs
Ozanam Dental Service DHSV Basic dental care at Ozanam clinic People, mainly from inner urban areas, who live in Rooming Houses, Private Hotels, Emergency Accommodation, Transitional Housing, Supported Accommodation Houses and Refuges; and/or are referred by a relevant worker; and/or are assessed by Ozanam House staff as meeting the criteria.
Rural Initiatives Program (RIP) DHSV Basic care through mobile vans Eligible people in remote communities
Domiciliary Care DHSV (RDHM) Basic care services provided at client's Eligible people who are homebound residence
Be Responsive to Client Needs Relevant activities in 1998–1999 included:
■ Completion of a multiple-department report Creating a Draft of Victorian Women’s Health Plan Victoria for All Ages. ■ The Victorian Women’s Health Plan was developed during 1998–1999 in consultation with other Department of Human ■ A range of health promotion, community awareness and Services Divisions and key stakeholders. The Plan proposed other projects as part of International Year of Older Persons strategies and initiatives to: in 1999.
~ Assist women to manage their own health and make ■ Evaluation of ten falls-prevention projects and the informed choices. commencement of falls-prevention projects in aged care residential facilities. ~ Improve services for women in key areas. ■ Continuation of work on the Oral Health Promotion Strategy. ~ Extend knowledge about women’s health issues, including the identification of best practice in delivering services ■ Collaboration with VicHealth on mental health promotion to women. activities.
■ A project in area mental health services to facilitate early Health Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention detection of psychosis. Annual Report Annual Report ■ The Aged, Community and Mental Health Division has a ■ A number of projects to consider appropriate early significant role in promoting healthy behaviours and lifestyles intervention models in primary health settings for disorders in the community, preventing illness and ensuring early such as depression and anxiety.
intervention in cases of ill-health or crisis. 1998–1999
49 Victorian Strategy for Carers
■ 1998–1999 was the third year of operation of the Victorian Strategy for Carers. Significant progress was made in its implementation, development and evaluation.
Residential Aged Care
■ A total of 485 residential aged care places were transferred to the private or charitable/volunteer sectors in Stages 1 and 2 of the Transfer Project.
■ In 1998–1999, additional funds were spent to upgrade residential aged care facilities retained by the State.
Development of New Strategic Directions for Mental Health Services
■ Figure 19 Mental Health: Community Service Client Contacts 1998–1999 was the final year of an initial five year reform of mental health services in Victoria.
1,500,000 ■ A major consultation process commenced with the mental 1,400,000 health sector to inform the strategic directions for Victoria’s 1,300,000 Mental Health Services. The priorities identified through the 1,200,000 consultation process were improving the response to mental 1,100,000 illness from primary health care providers, with emphasis on 1,000,000 promotion, prevention and early intervention.
900,000
800,000
700,000 Community Connection Program
600,000 ■ The Community Connection Program was established in 500,000 response to the Ministerial Taskforce on Support Services for 400,000 Tenants in Low-Cost Accommodation. The program aims to Registered 300,000 Client assist people living in low-cost accommodation who have Contacts 200,000 unmet, often complex, support needs by linking them to necessary mainstream and specialist services.
Forensic Mental Health 1995–1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 1994 –1995 ■ The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health was created in 1998 as a statutory agency responsible for providing a range of specialist mental health and associated services to the criminal justice system.
■ Work continued on construction of a new state-of-the-art forensic mental health facility. The new 120-bed hospital will provide acute care, continuing care and a specialised women’s unit.
Increase in Mental Health Services
■ Public mental health services are now providing more 1998–1999 services to more people where and when they need them. More people are receiving care in the communtity. The number of community client contacts had increased significantly, reaching 1.4 million in 1998–1999. Annual ReportAnnual (see Figure 19)
50 Services to Reflect Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Table 13 : Output Performance Delivery in Aged Care ■ In 1998–1999 the Home and Community Care program Services, 1998–1999 continued to fund community organisations to deliver culturally appropriate services. The program also requires all 1998–99 1998–99 Home and Community Care providers to implement the Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual Cultural Planning Tool as part of their funding agreement with Performance Measures Measure the Department. Specific funding has been made available to Action on Disability in Ethnic Communities (ADEC) to provide Community Care training and support to providers to implement the Cultural Quantity Planning Tool. Carers assisted (a) contacts 15,000 13,492 In home food services (a) number 5,330,500 5,101,889 ■ Specific funding was provided to sub-acute extended care Aged care assessments number 48,600 51,170 centres to implement 19 standards for culturally appropriate Quality service provision as part of the Ethnic Service Development Services meeting HACC per cent 70 70 Program. national standards
■ Incentive payments were made to drug treatment service agencies to conduct a cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) Palliative Care audit and develop a CALD Action Plan. Palliative care bed days (b) number 53,300 48,193
■ Projects to identify best practice service delivery models have Prevention and Promotion Programs been established for several groups (including culturally and linguistically diverse clients, women, and Kooris) as part of Quantity the Primary Health and Community Support redevelopment. Senior citizens’ week participants number 350,000 350,000
■ The Victorian Women’s Health Plan emphasises the Rehabilitation and Sub-acute Health Services importance of culturally relevant health services for Koori women and women from non-English speaking backgrounds, Quantity and includes several initiatives that specifically address the Sub-acute and rehabilitation number 374,500 371,448 needs of these groups. beddays (c) Community rehabilitation number 575,000 247,903 client attendances (d) ■ A project is currently underway to identify factors that affect the quality of mental health service provision to Koori communities. The project is designed to lead to the a) Initial target estimate made prior to implementation of new data development of measures of service responsiveness to definition. Kooris, as part of an overall strategy to improve mental b) Variation reflects slower than anticipated take up of additional capacity by health services for Koori people. funded services. c) Variation reflects normal variation in demand. d) Variation reflects changed output definition. The target using the new definition was 227 000. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
51 Figure 20 Aged Care Funded Separation & Beddays
18,000 500,000
16,000 450.000 400,000 14,000 350,000 12,000 300,000 10,000 250,000 8,000 Aged Care 200.000 Funded 4,000 Separations 150,000 Aged Care 3,000 Be Accessible Funded 100,000 Beddays 2,000 50,000 1998–1999 saw significant expansion of many key Aged, Community and Mental Health services and the introduction of several new service types. The policy directions underpinning the Division’s major service redevelopment processes reflect
(Traget) a commitment to improved accessibility of services for clients 1994–1995 1995–1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 1999–2000 and their carers.
Aged Care Services Expansion
■ In the Aged Care Program, there was significant expansion Figure 21 Palliative Care Funded Separations & Beddays of inpatient and ambulatory sub-acute aged care services. (see Figure 20) 3,000 70,000
2,500 60,000 ■ A full complement of inpatient palliative care services was 50,000 2,000 established, providing service capacity for projected Palliative 40,000 population levels to 2006. (see Figure 21) Care 1,500 Separation 30,000 1,000 Palliative 20,000 ■ Health and aged care services in rural Victoria were Care 500 Beddays 10,000 enhanced by the establishment of a seventh Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) at Timboon. A further three agencies in rural Victoria are preparing to become Multi-Purpose Services.
■
(Target) Home and Community Care funding and service levels 1994–1995 1995–1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 1999–2000 increased in most parts of the state. (see Figure 22)
Funding for HACC services, Figure 22 1994–1995 to 1998–1999
1994–1995
1995–1996
1996–1997
1997–1998 Dollars Millions) 1998–1999 0 50 100 150 200 250 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
52 Access to Drug Treatment Services
■ There was continued expansion and consolidation of the drug treatment service system consistent with the Turning the Tide strategy against drug abuse in 1998–1999 through: (see Figure 23)
~ Expansion of youth residential withdrawal services, so that these services will be accessible to clients in all Department of Human Services regions. Drug Treatment Services Program Figure 23 Growth in Service Sector 1997–1998 to 1998–1999 ~ Expansion of youth home-based withdrawal services
to all regions. 1997–1998 Episodes of Care ~ Expansion of Women’s Alcohol and Drug Supported 1998–1999 Accommodation services to all regions.
~ Opening of a new 12-bed Community Residential 0 Drug Withdrawal Unit. 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000
Access to Dental Health Services
■ Access to public dental services was enhanced through:
~ Use of growth funds to provide public dental care to an additional 11,000 clients.
~ Construction of 14 community based dental chairs.
~ An 11.8 per cent increase in productivity in the School Dental Service.
~ A review of dental legislation under National Competition Policy guidelines.
Table 14 : Increase in Dental Service Productivity, 1998–1999
Productivity Measure 1997–98 1998–99 % Change School Dental Service Patients completed per year per dental therapist 1,097 1,226 11.8 increase (ie a full course of care)
Cost per course of treatment $92.61 $81.76 11.7 decrease
Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne
Clinical output per dentist per year $297,836 $343,252 15.0 increase
Cost per patient treated $236.51 $228.82 3.3 decrease Annual Report
■ Funding of $45 million was allocated for the redevelopment
of the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne as a centre of 1998–1999 excellence for the provision of specialist care to concession card holders, for the education of dental professionals and for dental research.
53 Table 15 : Output Performance Delivery in Coordinated Access to Mental Health Services Care Services, 1998–1999 ■ New statewide services were established to enhance the 1998–99 1998–99 response of the mental health service system to two specific Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual client groups: Performance Measures Measure Dental Health Services ~ A specialist Statewide Dual Disability Service was established to assist in the provision of appropriate Quantity assessment and treatment of serious mental illness in School Dental Service number 105,200 112,334 people who have an intellectual disability. courses of care (a) Community Dental Program number 185,350 160,992 ~ The Specialist Statewide Personality Disorder Service was people treated (b) established, providing: a seven-bed inpatient unit at Quality Maroondah Hospital; a day program for inpatients and Ratio of emergency to general ratio 42:58 52:48 outpatients; supported accommodation for clients to courses of care (c) attend the day program; and statewide consultation, liaison and education. Timeliness Waiting time for restorative care (b) months 14 21 Waiting time for dentures (b) months 24 25
Community Health Services
Quantity Occasions of Community number 633,400 587,757 Health service (d)
Drug Treatment Services
Quantity Episodes of Residential Care number 5,000 6,709 Episodes of Community Based Care number 35,410 33,196
a) Variation reflects improved efficiency of service delivery. b) Variation reflects clients delaying treatment, resulting from the imposition of co-payments to meet loss of Commonwealth funding. c) Higher than anticipated ratio of emergency patients to general course patients may reflect patients delaying treatment and presenting with more severe needs. d) Variation reflects reduced range of activities purchased by the program in 1998–1999. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
54 Table 16 : Output Performance Delivery in Mental Health Be Focussed on Performance and Services, 1998–1999 Efficient Management 1998–99 1998–99 Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual Improvements to Service Purchasing Performance Measures Measure ■ A major Division-wide project was initiated to streamline and Adult Mental Health Services enhance purchasing of Aged, Community and Mental Health Quantity services. Work also continued within individual programs to Beds (a) number 1,030 1,016 develop funding arrangements that offer flexibility to service Registered clients number 31 520 31,830 providers to allow them to provide services which best meet Registered client contacts (b) number 1,594,400 1,084,331 individual client needs and reward high quality service provision. For example: Quality Consumer and carer satisfaction : - change from previous year (c) per cent +5 no ~ Trials commenced in Western Region of a bundled change classification and payment system for palliative care.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services ~ Funding arrangements to support flexibility of sub-acute Quantity service delivery across inpatient and ambulatory settings Beds number 76 72 were trialed in all regions. Registered clients (d) number 4 480 10,375 Registered client contacts (d) number 82,900 172,385 ~ A purchasing strategy for service delivery in small rural communities through Multi-Purpose Services was Quality researched and developed. Consumer and carer satisfaction : - change from previous year (c) per cent +5 no change ~ A two stage approach to improve the way services are purchased in the Primary Health and Community Support Aged Persons Mental Health Services service sector was developed, designed to allow PHACS Quantity alliances greater flexibility to reallocate resources, Beds (d) number 820 802 provided that they comply with business rules and meet Registered clients (d) number 6 070 8,465 performance targets. Registered client contacts (d) number 164 200 198,869
Quality Consumer and carer satisfaction : Quality Improvement - change from previous year (c) per cent +5 +2 ■ All Aged, Community and Mental Health programs undertook a range of activities in 1998–1999 to monitor and improve Forensic Mental Health Services service quality. Bonus schemes, providing financial incentives for high quality service provision, were implemented in Quantity mental health and drug treatment services, and considered Beds(e) number 75 58 for future implementation in a number of other areas. Registered clients number 1,250 894
Registered client contacts (f) number 44,280 8,552
Psychiatric Disability Support Services Quantity Residential rehabilitation and number 117,100 47,450 supported housing services– resident bed days (g)
Home based/out-reach housing number 278,000 281,157
support – resident bed days Annual Report c) Maintenance of satisfaction levels considered satisfactory. a) Variation reflects redevelopment of Royal Melbourne Hospital as at d) Variation reflects improved compliance with reporting requirements. reporting date. e) Variation results from industrial action delaying opening of forensic facility. 1998–1999 b) Variation reflects missing data not collected by some agencies due to f) Target revised to 8,700. localised industrial action. g) Variation reflects delay in opening planned new residential rehabilitation beds because of difficulties purchasing appropriate housing stock.
55 Performance and Client Outcome Measurement
■ A wide range of activities were initiated in order to provide comprehensive feedback about service and Divisional performance, and the impact of Aged, Community and Mental Health services on client outcomes.
■ Stage 1 of the Division-wide performance measurement review during 1998–1999 led to a 61 per cent reduction in the number of performance indicators specified in 1999–2000 service agreements.
■ Client outcome measures were developed in key areas:
~ A draft suite of outcome measures for adult mental health services (see Health Status and Outcomes in Victoria’s Mental Health Services, February 1999) was trialed in 1998–1999.
~ Research was conducted in 1998–1999 to inform the development of client outcome measures for PHACS, drug treatment and dental health services.
■ Consumer and Carer Satisfaction Surveys were implemented in mental health services, drug treatment services and dental services.
Research and Evaluation Frameworks
■ Aged, Community and Mental Health funds a large range of research and evaluation activities. In 1998–1999, short-term working parties were established to develop Aged, Community and Mental Health funds frameworks for research and evaluation in the Aged Care and Mental Health Programs. This process seeks to engage the mental health and aged care sectors in the a large range of research and evaluation development of priorities for research aimed at improving services, including projects which pilot new service activities. In 1998–1999, short-term working models and identify best practice service delivery. parties were established to develop
frameworks for research and evaluation in
the Aged Care and Mental Health Programs. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
56 Disability Services
Disability Services purchases or provides The program aims to improve the quality of life for individual clients and their carers through efficient, flexible and innovative continuing care for people with intellectual, services of high quality.
physical, sensory and neurological This is achieved through ongoing partnership between clients, their families, the Government, service providers and disabilities and acquired brain injury. non-government organisations, as evidenced in initiatives such as the Disability Services Self-Assessment System.
Specific services purchased by the Disability Services Program from a network of over 300 agencies include:
■ Shared Support Accommodation
■ Accommodation Outreach Support
■ In Home Accommodation Support
■ Day Programs Annual Report Annual Report ■ Flexible Care Packages 1998–1999
57 Figure 24 Disability Services Budget Distribution 1998–1999 ■ Disability Services Client Services Teams
■ Recreation Accom 43% ■ Community Support 11% Therapy Community Access 17% ■ Respite 4% Aids and Equipment Other 1% ■ Respite and Respite Coordination Admin 5% Aids & Equip 3% ■ Case Management IHAS* 2% Training Centres 14% ■ Criminal Justice Services
*In Home Accommodation Support. ■ Behaviour Intervention Support Services
■ Information and Advocacy.
The Program’s budget for 1998–1999, including capital, was $563.9 million. (see Figure 24 and 25) Increase in Non-Government Sector Share Figure 25 of Disability Budget, 1993–1994 to 1998–1999 Key achievements for the Disability Services program in 1998–1999 are reported below in the context of the 1993–1994 Department’s Key Result Areas and associated strategies identified in the 1998–1999 Departmental Plan. 1994–1995
1995 - 1996 Protect and Care for Those At Risk
1996–1997 Provision of Accommodation and Support Services for Those in Highest Need 1997–1998 ■ Disability Services received an additional $7.8 million in 1998–1999 to provide accommodation and support to those 1998–1999 in highest need, identified through the Disability Services Service Needs Register (SNR) and the In Home Accommodation Support (IHAS) waiting list. As a result,
0% an additional 280 community based places were created. 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Proportion of Budget - Government ■ The staged closure of Pleasant Creek Training Centre continued. By the end of 1998–1999, 48 clients Proportion of Budget - Non-Government were relocated into purpose-built community based accommodation.
■ Forty-eight clients from Kew Residential Services were moved into community based, purpose built housing. Another ten are due to move into the community by the end of 1999.
■ An evaluation of 40 Kew clients previously relocated indicated they experienced a number of positive and
1998–1999 significant lifestyle changes, including active participation in community activities and domestic tasks. Annual ReportAnnual
58 Table 17 : Changes in balance of Disability Accommodation Placement, 1991–1992 to 1998–1999
Type of Accommodation 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998–1999 Placement Training Centres 2,057 1,643 1,441 1,379 1,140 1,239 1,196 942
Community Based 1,339 1,995 2,150 2,328 3,180 3,995 4,401 4,909 Accommodation Placements (Facility Based)
Community Based 398 412 485 Accommodation Support (Home Based)
Funded Day Program Placements, Upgrade of Fire Safety Standards Figure 26 1995–1996 to 1998–1999 ■ Under the Department’s Fire Risk Management Strategy, the fire safety audit and upgrade program for Government and 1995–1996 non-government disability accommodation facilities neared completion, and interim works were well underway. 1996 –1997
1997–1998
1998–1999 Be Responsive to Client Needs
Futures for Young Adults 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 ■ In 1997, the Futures for Young Adults (FFYA) initiative was introduced and accessed by 1,238 young people. A further 595 young people were assisted through FFYA in 1998 ATSS and a further 650 in 1999, bringing the total number Futures for Young Adults assisted to 2,483. (see Figure 26)
■ FFYA helps students with disabilities, aged 18 years and over, move from school to an adult lifestyle by giving them the option to participate in a range of activities. Activities Figure 27 Disablity Services Clients by Age Group include day programs, independent living skills programs, development of further education (such as TAFE and 0 - 9 Universities), recreation and leisure programs and a number of employment programs. 10 - 19
20 - 29
Services for Ageing Clients 30 - 39
■ By 2010, the ageing of clients currently receiving 40 - 49 disability services will result in an estimated increase 50 - 59 of at least 35 per cent in the number of clients aged over 55 years. In 1998–1999, $814,000 was allocated to implement 60 - 69 innovative day programs for older people with a disability. As a result, 74 new places for ageing clients were created 70 - 79 throughout the State. (see Figure 27) 80 - 89
90+ 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000
Clients by Age Group Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
59 Disability Services Clients Born Overseas, Figure 28 Services for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse by Region of Birth Community
■ To increase access to disability services for people from North Africa / Middle East 6% culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC) was funded to Other 8% help 23 specialist disability information providers develop Europe 39% access and equity plans. English Speaking Countries 35% Asia 12% ■ In addition ADEC managed a project to publish a Directory of Disability Information Services in 12 community languages.
■ Disability Services funded VSDC—Services for Deaf Children to develop videos which teach common sign language around general themes such as home, school, food/kitchen, Disability Services Clients Whose Main Language stories/play and outdoor/community, with translations in Figure 29 is Other Than English, by Language Spoken at Home community languages.
Middle Eastern Languages 12% Koori Communities Other Languages 3% ■ The research project ‘Meeting the Needs of Koori People Asian Languages 12% with a Disability’ was undertaken in 1998–1999. The project Southern European Languages 57% identifies the support needs of Koori people with a disability Other European Languages 16% and their communities, and makes recommendations in relation to service planning, development and service provision and options for these clients. As part of the project, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL) worked in partnership with Aboriginal communities across Victoria. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
60 Table 18 : Output Performance Delivery in Disability Services, 1998–1999 1998–99 1998–99 1998–99 1998–99 Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual Performance Measures Measure Performance Measures Measure Case Management & Brokerage Services Congregate Residential Care Services Quantity Quantity Clients in congregate residential number 902 942 Individuals and families receiving number 3,300 4,514 care facilities case management services through Client Services Teams Quality Clients with appropriate per cent 80 92 Individuals and families receiving number 900 1,066 day activities flexible funds through Making a Difference Total accommodation and support per cent 15 15 clients in congregate care Specialist Behavioural Services
Community Based Accommodation and Support Services Quantity Specialist Services provided (b) number 700 2,715 Quantity Clients in shared supported number 5,288 5,470 Quality accommodation (a) Clients successfully achieving per cent 100 95 majority of goals in their program plan Quality Percentage of clients successfully per cent 100 75 achieving the majority of objectives Information & Advocacy Services in their program plan Quantity Visitors to funded Disability Services number 300,000 157,440 Community Access Services information sites
Quantity Clients receiving individual number 300 1,014 Occupied EFT places in day programs number 4,197 5,652 advocacy support
Futures for Young Adults clients number 2,223 2,483 Quality Disability Services home pages per cent 100 100 Quality regularly updated Percentage of clients successfully per cent 100 96 achieving the majority of objectives in their program plan Quality Improvement Activities
Quantity Equipment Services Research projects funded number 15 18
Quantity Quality Items of aids and equipment supplied number 32,100 35,038 Funded and direct service providers per cent 100 n/a participating in self assessment People accessing aids and number 20,845 21,213 process (c) equipment programs
Quality (a) 1998–1999 increase over target reflects impact of operational efficiencies Percentage of referrers/carers/ per cent 75 86 and redevelopments. clients satisfied with response to (b) Changes in service delivery approaches, including more flexible delivery in clients’ needs (annual survey) response to client needs, led to higher client numbers than anticipated in 1998–1999. Respite Services (c) Part of a quality project operating on a calendar year basis.
Quantity Annual Report Carer households provided with a number 4,000 5,610 break through respite services
Timeliness 1998–1999 Respite information provided to per cent 100 100 client within 3 working days
61 Be Accessible
Provision of Information
■ A major redevelopment of the Disability Services Internet site at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability was completed, providing better access for people with sensory or physical disabilities, and more information for service providers and clients.
■ A quarterly newsletter—’Disability Focus’—was introduced in May 1999. Designed in a large print and oversize format for people with visual or physical disabilities, the newsletter provides current information on the Program’s initiatives. The newsletter is provided to all disability service providers, local councils, schools, libraries, interstate disability agencies, and interested members of the public.
Program of Aids for Disabled People (PADP)
■ The PADP budget for 1998–1999 was $15.7 million, which was almost double that of the previous year. A total of 21,213 Victorians accessed aids and equipment through PADP during the year.
Disability Services Clients by Primary Disability Type, Figure 30 as at August 1999
Sensory Disability 9% Other Disability 8% Intellectual Disability 64% Acquired Brain Injury 4% Physical Disability 15% 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
62 Be Focussed on Performance and Research Projects Efficient Management ■ Research projects completed or commenced in 1998–1999 included: Quality Improvement Initiatives ~ Disability Services’ Criminal Justice Program: ■ Initiatives completed during 1998–1999 under the Quality Strengthening Service Provision. Framework for Disability Services—launched in August 1997—included: ~ Intellectual Disability Parent Support Package.
~ Development of the Disability Services Self-Assessment ~ Disability Services Assessment Project. System and an accompanying information and training program, to analyse the quality of current service ~ Assistive Technology Resource Service—Evaluation of the provision, measure progress and obtain feedback from Pilot Service. consumers on service quality. ~ Meeting the Needs of Koori People with a Disability. ~ $44,200 was provided to fund three Government best practice demonstration projects throughout the State, ~ NESB Access and Equity Strategy Development for bringing the total amount of best practice funding grants Information Services. to $344,200. Twenty non-government projects were funded in 1997–1998. ~ Parents with an Intellectual Disability, which resulted in ~ All best practice projects, including those funded in the publication of three manuals: 1997–1998, were reviewed and a publication entitled Towards Best Practice in Disability Services—Profiles ▲ Parents with an Intellectual Disability—A Worker’s of QIRC Funded Projects 1998–1999 produced. Manual.
~ Information material on the Self-Assessment System ▲ Out of the Mainstream—A Parenting Group for produced for consumers in a range of formats Parents with an Intellectual Disability and their including large print, braille, audio tape, Compic© Children. and computer disk. ▲ Parents with an Intellectual Disability and Older Children. Consumer Satisfaction Survey
■ Disability Services undertook the first consumer satisfaction survey of the PADP in 1998–1999. The findings indicated that 86 per cent of consumers were satisfied with the Program. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
63 Office of Housing
The operations of the Office of Housing Public housing accounts for about 4 per cent of Victoria’s private dwellings and 18 per cent of all rental accommodation, centre on the provision of needs-based yet represents almost 40 per cent of the State’s low cost accommodation. housing for low income people. At the end of June 1999, the Office of Housing administered This is provided through emergency 70,566 public rental and community managed properties with a portfolio asset value of some $6.3 billion. and transitional accommodation, ■ Of these properties, 1,011 were available specifically for the Aboriginal community. long term rental housing assistance, ■ An additional 2,193 community owned properties were private rental assistance and funded through Office of Housing programs and 547 properties were leased, bringing total properties available home ownership assistance. for housing assistance to 73,300.
■ Rental housing subsidies totalling $185 million were provided to 88 per cent of households in public rental housing. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
64 With the successful negotiation of a new Commonwealth State Housing Agreement, the Office of Housing was able to boost capital programs to bring about a substantial growth in stock numbers.
Capital outlays for properties and fixed assets were significantly larger than previous years, totalling some $469 million and enabling a sizeable program of acquisitions, upgrading and redevelopment of the housing stock to be undertaken, and boosting the number of allocations to public rental housing.
Tight private rental market conditions reduced the demand for bond assistance for private rental. On the other hand, continued competitive conditions in financial markets with housing interest rates at historical lows, enabled home finance clients to purchase other properties or repay or refinance their loans, leading to some 3000 loan settlements during the year.
In delivering its programs, the Office of Housing worked closely with community groups, other Departmental programs, service providers, the Commonwealth government and the private sector.
Demand patterns for housing assistance continued to indicate high usage levels by people with needs in addition to housing. People who are homeless or have support needs or disabilities continued to represent a high level of demand, as they are least able to access private rental markets.
Scope of Housing Program
Rental Housing Home Ownership Assistance Assistance
Short/Medium Long Term Private Rental Term Assistance Assistance Assistance (Homeless)
Transitional Community Aboriginal Housing Annual Report Crisis Supported Public Rental Housing Managed (AHBV)
Supported Housing 1998–1999 (Frail or Disabled)
65 The Office of Housing responded with the following Key strategic achievements in 1998–1999 by the Office of strategic directions: Housing are reported below in the context of the Key Result Areas and associated strategies identified in the 1998–1999 ■ Targeting of housing assistance to high priority client groups, Departmental Plan. through Transitional Housing and the segmented waiting list.
■ Sound asset management to bring about a better match of stock to client needs and continue to improve the overall Protect and Care for Those At Risk stock condition. Implementation of Segmented Waiting List ■ Further integration of housing services with support services funded through other Departmental programs. ■ During 1998–1999, the Office of Housing, in collaboration with other Department of Human Services programs, implemented the Segmented Waiting List (SWL) for housing Table 19 : Summary of housing assistance provided in assistance. This initiative represented an important element 1998–1999 of the housing reforms agreed in Commonwealth/State Type of Households Households negotiations and Victoria was the first State to implement Housing Assistance assisted during assisted at such reforms. 1998–99 (new 30 June 1999 allocations or ■ The SWL involves a fundamental change to the way that transfers) housing opportunities are allocated. People who are the Rental Housing Assistance most vulnerable and have least access to private rental markets are allocated housing first. In many cases, people Crisis Supported and 14,000 2,982 provided with accelerated access to housing need other Transitional Housing (est) Department of Human Services program services, in particular Long term public rental housing 11,095 61,669 homeless people, people with intellectual, psychiatric or Long term community managed housing 1,740 5,286 physical disabilities, the frail aged and people with complex care requirements. Long term Supported Housing 230 1,063
Aboriginal Housing (AHBV) 254 930 ■ The initiative involves improved integration and planning at both policy and operational level and is designed to enhance Private Rental Assistance the ability of the Office of Housing as a capital provider and Private rental Bond loans during year 15,178 tenancy manager to provide timely and effective housing assistance linked to support. It also allows the Office of Households assisted through 12,000 Housing Establishment Fund (est) Housing to better respond to people needing accommodation requiring physical modifications.
Home Ownership Assistance The segments identify applicants according to their Total loans at end of year 17,403 circumstances, as shown in Table 20. Home Renovation inspections during year 3,124
Home Renovation loans during year 96
Group self-build completions during year 31
Total Households Assisted 57,517 88,270
1 Including some 5,900 episodes of assistance through community owned housing such as Ozanam House, Flagstaff and Hanover. 2 Figures are included in public rental figures. 1998–1999 3 Tight conditions in private rental markets have reduced applications for Bond assistance. 4 The total number of home loans is declining each year, as clients prepay home loans in the current favourable financial environment of low interest Annual ReportAnnual rates and competitive private sector lending.
66 Transitional Housing for the Homeless Table 20 : Features of the Segmented Waiting List
■ The introduction of Transitional Housing in 1997 was a ■ Recurring People with a history of homelessness or at significant advance in housing assistance in Australia. People Homelessness high risk of repeated episodes of homelessness. in situations of homelessness are now assisted with segment Examples of people assisted through this segment accommodation, linked to the Supported Accommodation include single parent families, singles and older people. Assistance Program and other support services, to help them into the most appropriate long term housing. ■ Supported People with disabilities, significant support needs Housing and/or property modification needs. Examples of ■ In June 1999, total Transitional Housing stock numbers segment people assisted through this segment include people reached 2,762, including 547 leased properties. This enabled who are clients of other Department programs. an estimated 14,000 episodes of homeless assistance, including an estimated 5,900 through community owned and ■ Special People with an urgent need for long term housing managed housing such as Flagstaff, Hanover and Ozanam Housing Needs which they cannot attain in the private market. House. (see Figure 31) segment Examples of people assisted through this segment include large families, singles and older people with mobility problems. Housing Support for Drug and Youth ■ General Wait People on low incomes. Traditional low income OOH Suicide Initiatives Turn segment clients will be assisted through this segment.
■ Housing has played a role in implementing government policies to address critical issues such as drugs and youth Crisis Supported and Transitional Housing suicide. During 1998–1999, 149 places were provided for Figure 31 post-withdrawal accommodation linked to support under the stock including leasing
Turning the Tide Strategy Against Drug Abuse, and a further 1995 - 1996 64 places in residential rehabilitation clusters, under the Youth Suicide Prevention Taskforce recommendations. These 1996 - 1997 provided medium term accommodation linked to support 1997 - 1998
services for young at risk people. 1998 - 1999 (Est) 0 500
Increase in Supported Housing Properties 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 for People who are Frail Aged or have Disabilities Number of properties at end of year
■ Supported Housing provides long term housing linked to support services funded through Department programs, for Figure 32 Supported Housing Stock people with physical or sensory impairment, psychiatric or intellectual disabilities or acquired brain injury, as well as 1992–1993 frail aged people. The program started with 16 properties at 1993–1994 June 1993. 1994–1995
■ During 1998–1999, 192 Supported Housing properties were 1995–1996 acquired, bringing total stock numbers to 886 (28 per cent increase). Acquisition included 33 Community Residential 1996–1997 Units (CRUs) providing 164 bedrooms for clients of Disability 1997–1998 Services. (see Figure 32) 1998–1999 (Est) Annual Report Annual Report 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1998–1999
Number of properties at end of year
67 Figure 33 Priority as % of total allocations Be Responsive to Client Needs
1995 –1996
1996–1997 Redevelopment of Kensington Estate
1997–1998 ■ As the first stage of a long term redevelopment strategy for
1998–1999 the high-rise and `walk-up' estates, the redevelopment of the (Est) Kensington estate commenced in 1998–1999 with the demolition of the family high-rise tower at 72 Derby Street.
■ 0% A community Advisory Committee was established to 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% consider and make recommendations to the Minister for Housing regarding an appropriate strategy for the % of total allocations redevelopment of the balance of the estate, including the upgrading of the other two high rise towers for continued public use.
■ Other redevelopment projects which proceeded during the year included Maidstone, Braybrook, East Preston and Olympic Village in Heidelberg.
■ Planning has commenced for redevelopments in regional Victorian centres, including East Geelong, Bendigo and Wodonga.
Increase in Allocations made on a Priority Basis
■ In line with targeting assistance to people most in need, 50 per cent of allocations into public housing were on a priority basis, up from 44 per cent during 1997–1998. There were 1,400 more priority allocations made during the year than the previous year, and the average waiting time to priority allocation was 2.8 months. (see Figure 33)
Home Renovation Advisory Service
■ The Home Renovation Advisory program provides a free home inspection and advisory service to elderly and disabled homeowners. Property reports are prepared setting out work needed to make their homes safe and secure for independent living.
■ During the year 3,124 inspections were carried out, up from 2,539 the previous year.
Housing Services for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community
■ The Office of Housing provides access to on-site and telephone interpreters for public rental clients and
1998–1999 interpreters are available to community housing clients through various community agencies. Annual ReportAnnual
68 ■ While stock acquisitions focus on increasing the number of Table 21 : Output Performance Delivery in Housing small properties, there is also an important need to assist Services, 1998–1999 families of some ethnic groups with larger accommodation to meet the needs of very large families. The Office of Housing 1998–99 1998–99 acquisition of close to 200 four-bedroom properties in Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual 1998–1999 was 230 per cent higher than that in 1997–1998, Performance Measures Measure providing a significant boost to housing opportunities for ethnic groups with large families. Crisis Supported and Transitional Housing. Quantity ■ The Office of Housing is working to ensure that all Homeless person (households) Number 16,800 14,000 immigrants and refugees are provided with clear information assisted during year (est) (a) about public housing on arrival and during their English as a Second Language classes. Aboriginal Housing
■ Standard forms, such as applications, contain an assistance Quantity message translated into 16 community languages with Households assisted (tenancies) Number 950 930 summary information for tenants available in 10 community at end of year (Aboriginal Housing languages. Board Victoria—AHBV) (b)
■ Interpreters are available to clients seeking home ownership Long Term Housing Assistance through the Group Self-Build program and existing borrowers Quantity also have access to an interpreter service when seeking Households assisted at end of year number 66,000 66,950 information during the term of their loan. Allocations made during year on ■ A multi-lingual brochure in 10 languages is distributed to a priority basis (c) per cent 55 50 various ethnic groups on the Home Renovation Service. Quality Tenants satisfied or very 95 95 ■ The Office of Housing participates in the Victorian satisfied (measured by national Interpreting and Translating Services’ Rural Language Link in customer satisfaction surveys) four key regional centres: Morwell, Shepparton, Bendigo and per cent of national average Mildura. Timeliness Average waiting time to allocation months 30 26 (wait turn)
Average waiting time to months 4 3 allocation (Priority)
Private Rental Assistance
Quantity Bonds and Housing Emergency Number 30,000 27,180 grants issued during year (d)
Timeliness Notes: Bonds approved within 3 days per cent 90 90 a) Transitional Housing was introduced in October 1997 and targets were developed at a time when the methodology for estimates of assistance had not been fully developed. Estimates of assistance levels reflect Home Ownership and Renovation Assistance emerging information regarding clients and average periods of assistance. b) Variation reflects lower than planned growth of housing stock resulting Quantity from urgent maintenance and upgrades to improve stock condition. Home renovation inspection Number 2,500 3,124 c) Variation reflects the increase in the number of total allocations. reports during year d) Variation reflects demand reduction resulting from tight conditions in Quality Annual Report Annual Report private rental markets. Loans in arrears by more per cent <4 5 e) Result reflects current competitive financial environment and strong run- than 30 days (e) off in home loan portfolio, as clients are able to re-finance and prepay loans, leaving a higher proportion of less viable loans in the OOH portfolio. Timeliness 1998–1999 f) Variation reflects unexpectedly high demand and significantly greater Time from request to receipt days 9 20 volume of inspection reports prepared. of home renovation advice (f)
69 Figure 34 Total Director of Housing stock including leasing Be Accessible
1995–1996 Increase in Total Housing Stock 1996–1997 ■ 1998–1999 was a very successful year in terms of traditional 1997–1998 Housing capital programs. The acquisition of 2,481 properties enabled a substantial increase in total stock to 70,566 1998–1999 (Est) properties. With the inclusion of leased and community owned properties, some 73,300 properties were available for housing assistance at June 1999. (see Figure 34 and 35) 60,000 62,000 64,000 66,000 68,000 70,000 72,000 Growth in Properties Managed by Aboriginal Total DoH stock including leasing Housing Board Victoria
■ With the acquisition of 114 properties during the year, the total number of properties managed by the Aboriginal Housing Board Victoria has grown to 1,011 at June 1999.
Figure 35 Increase in small properties (total stock) Improving Housing Opportunities for People with Impaired Mobility 39,000 ■ 37,000 Public rental tenants include some 21,000 older persons and
35,000 11,000 households with Disability related pensions. While not
33,000 all of these people needed physically modified dwellings, the
31,000 Office of Housing aimed to increase the housing opportunities
29,000 for people with impaired mobility. During 1998–1999
27,000 approximately $60 million was expended to construct, purchase or modify approximately 475 properties for older persons or Disability Services clients.
■ Physical modifications included installation of hand rails,
1991–1992 1992–1993 1993–1994 1994–1995 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 ramps, non-slip floors and wheel-in showers and kitchens 1995 - 1996 and making accommodation accessible for people with a
0 - 2 Bedroom Stock physical disability.
3+ Bedroom Stock Be Focussed on Performance and Efficient Management
Successful Negotiation of New Commonwealth- State Housing Agreement
■ During 1998–1999 a new CSHA was successfully negotiated. This provided funding certainty for a four year period, in contrast to the period of Commonwealth funding uncertainty which has characterised recent years. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
70 Continued Implementation of Fire Risk Management Figure 36 Public Rental waiting list at 30 June Strategy
■ All urgent and priority fire safety works were completed 70,000
within timeframes during the year. Smoke detectors have 60,000
been installed in all Director of Housing properties, 50,000
residential sprinklers are being installed and fire hydrants 40,000
are being replaced with hose reels in walk-up and high rise 30,000
properties. A fire awareness prevention program for tenants 20,000
was also part of the Strategy. 10,000
Disposal of Stock
■ As part of its asset management strategy, the Office 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 of Housing disposes of properties which are in poorest 1999 (Est) condition, are too costly to maintain or in locations of low demand. In addition, properties are sold to eligible tenants. During 1998–1999 1,156 properties were sold or demolished and proceeds re-invested in housing stock in areas of greatest need. These stock disposals are also designed to reduce future upgrade and maintenance costs and improve the overall condition of the total stock pool.
1999 Productivity Commission Report on Government Services
■ The 1999 Productivity Commission Report on Government Services (for the year 1997–1998) indicated that:
~ Victoria had the second lowest administration cost per dwelling at $773, well below the national average of $939 per dwelling.
~ Victoria’s operating cost of $3,258 per dwelling was the third lowest in Australia.
~ Average rate of return on equity was second highest in Australia, and the percentage of turnaround market rent foregone was the second lowest.
Continued Decline in Waiting Lists
■ Demand management in 1998–1999 enabled a continued reduction in public rental waiting lists. From a high of 61,763 at June 1995, the waiting list fell to less than 46,000 at June 1999. (see Figure 36) Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
71 Public Health and Development
The Department’s Public Health and Through community education programs, the provision of services, and legislation, the Division works to minimise the Development Division focuses on improving incidence of illness, injury and premature death in Victoria. These strategies aim to ensure a healthy, vibrant community the health of all Victorians through where the public's health is protected and enhanced.
approaches that prevent illness and injury, Key strategic achievements in Public Health and Development in 1998–1999 are reported below in the context of the Key and promote a high standard of health and Result Areas and associated strategies identified in the 1998–1999 Departmental Plan. well-being. Protect and Care for Those At Risk
Prevention of Substance Abuse
■ The ‘Turning the Tide’ initiative has been designed to give the community a deeper understanding and sense of responsibility to address substance abuse issues. Activity to support this in 1998–1999 included two days of community strengthening workshops and the ‘Inaugural Cannabis and Psychosis Conference’. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
72 ■ Clients in Victorian methadone Research undertaken included investigating the link between Figure 37 cannabis and psychosis, and clinical trials to test alternative program 1985–1998 pharmacotherapies to methadone. 1985 181 ■ Targeted initiatives in 1998–1999 included the Heroin 1986 290 Overdose Prevention Initiative and training of occupational 1987 groups who come into contact with clients with drug and 445 alcohol misuse problems. 1988 821
1989 ■ Methadone is considered to be one of the most cost-effective 1164 treatments of heroin dependence. Victoria has established 1990 1407 a community-based program which effectively integrates 1991 treatment with general medical care provided by general 1630 practitioners and community pharmacies. The number of 1992 clients on the Methadone Program grew by 25 per cent 1980 1993 to 6,700 in the year to 30 June 1999. (see Figure 37) 2379 1994 2793
1995 Strengthening Koori Health 3193 1996 ■ The Koori Health Reform Strategy was implemented in 3694 1998–1999 to improve the health of indigenous people in 1997 Victoria. Three pilot Koori Health Outcome projects were 4464 1998 conducted in three regions in partnership with local 5334 Aboriginal communities. Culturally sensitive training 1999 was provided in all of the Department’s Regions. 6700 0
Advancing Medical and Public Health Research 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000
■ A new medical and public health strategy: ‘Investing Clients in Victorian methadone program in Health—Strategic directions for medical and public health research and development in Victoria’ was released in December 1998. The strategy complements the Victorian Government’s Science Engineering and Technology Strategy and the directions outlined in the Commonwealth Wills Review.
Enhancement of Food Safety
■ Significant progress was made during 1998–1999 to enhance food safety for all Victorians with the implementation of the State's Food Safety Strategy and the creation of Food Safety Victoria. Achievements include the organisation of over 200 public meetings in order to raise awareness of food safety and its preventative management.
■ Food Safety Victoria facilitated the professional development and training for local government officers who administer the Food Act 1984. It also supported industry development of Codes and Guidelines for managing food production, retail
and food service operations safely. Annual Report 1998–1999
73 Figure 38 Measles notifications, Victoria 1992 to current Disease Control
■ The enhanced measles surveillance system developed by 90 the Division and the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference 80 Laboratory proved its value during a measles outbreak in 70 1999, when 75 cases of measles were identified, mainly 60 young adults aged between 18 to 30 years. Swift action 50 limited the spread of disease. Victoria's system of enhanced 40 surveillance will provide a framework for other States and 30 Territories as we approach national disease elimination. 20 (see Figure 38) 10 ■ In the first year of the free vaccine program, coverage with the pneumococcal vaccine in persons 65 years and over rose from 13 per cent to 41 per cent. Hospital admissions for this
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 condition decreased by 30 per cent, and the number of notified cases through the laboratory surveillance system Total Measels notifications fell from 101 in 1997 to 77 in 1998.
Age-specific Pneumococcal Hospital Admission Figure 39 Rates (per 100,000)—Victoria, 1995–1996 to 1997–1998 Table 22 : Pneumococcal and Influenza Hospital Admission Rates, persons aged 65 years and over 300 (per 100,000)—Victoria, 1995–1996 to 1997–1998
250
200 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 15
100 Pneumonia and Influenza 1283.3 1461.1 1739.2
50 Pneumonoccal Pneumonia 116.3 99.2 81.2 0-4 5-9 Avg 85+ 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84
1995–1996
1996–1997
1997–1998 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
74 Figure 40 Male and Female Burden of Disease Study
24% Cardiocascular 21% 10% Other 12% 3% Diabetes 3% 3% Musculo - skeletal 6% 10% Injuries 5% 8% Chronic respiratory 8% 8% Neuro sense disorders 11% 9% Mental Disorders 13% 21% Cancer 22%
■ The relocation of the Positive Living Centre to new premises located near the Alfred Hospital was designed to ensure that Be Responsive to Client Needs the centre is more accessible to people living with HIV/AIDS and their carers, and to facilitate contact with supports and Responding to Victoria’s Cultural Diversity services provided at the hospital and in the local community. ■ The Department’s Multicultural Strategy Unit is located in the Public Health and Development Division and provides advice and assistance to programs and regions on culturally Burden of Disease Study responsive planning and service delivery; monitors the ■ The Burden of Disease study is providing information which effectiveness of the Department’s efforts to address the will inform public health policy priorities and consequent human service needs of Victorians from culturally diverse future investment in health. The DALY—Disability Adjusted backgrounds; and is developing a broad departmental Cultural Life Year—measures all states of ill health, and the above Diversity Strategy. graphs indicate the major challenges we currently face. (see Figure 40) ■ During 1998–1999 the Unit finalised a departmental language services reform strategy, designed to enhance equity, consistency, efficiency, contestability, quality and accountability in the ways in which language services are purchased by the Department.
■ During 1998–1999, the Drug Policy Unit sponsored a research project, Drugs in a Multicultural Community, which started to analyse the extent and nature of the involvement of culturally diverse communities in the use of illicit drugs and the commercial aspects of trade in these drugs.
■ Food Safety Victoria has also undertaken extensive activity to ensure that changes to food safety legislation are understood across Victoria’s culturally diverse communities. Adult Multicultural Education Services was contracted to produce a report on Strategies to Assist Food Handlers from Non-English-Speaking Backgrounds or with Low Literacy Skills in Implementing the Food Act Amendments. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
75 Table 23 : Output Performance Delivery in Public Health Output Performance Delivery in Public Health Services, Services, 1998–1999 1998–1999
1998–99 1998–99 Environmental Protection
Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual Quantity Performance Measures Measure Inspections and investigations (b) number 6,265 8,200
Health Intelligence & Research Quality Emergency responses within per cent per cent 100 100 Quantity designated plans, procedures and Research projects funded number 63 68 protocols
Quality Timeliness Published papers number 7 7 Emergency responses within per cent 100 100 designated timeframes Timeliness Project milestones met per cent 99 100 Quantity Inquiries on internet homepage number 1.03m 1.08m Workforce and Infrastructure Development Contacts through community number 2.1m 2.1m Quantity information campaigns Public health training number 1,123 1,123 opportunities provided Quality Information products in community per cent 30 30 Quality languages other than English Training courses recognised per cent 100 100 and approved Timeliness Emergency media releases within per cent 100 100 Timeliness 24 hours of public health alert Training courses delivered to plan per cent 100 100
Preventative Services a) Gains in immunisation coverage at school entry and at 17 years of age Quantity has not increased at the expected rate in the past two years; due in part Immunisation coverage: to problems in data collection making target setting more difficult, associated with the increasing diversity of immunisation providers, ~ at 2 years old per cent 75 72 with a greater involvement of private general practitioners. ~ at school entry (a) per cent 90 87.5 b) Variation reflects increased demand in response to outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease. ~ at 17 years old (a) per cent 90 76
Screens for preventable illnesses number 800,000 814,040
Quality Target population screened within per cent 70 67.7 specified timeframes
Timeliness Statutory approvals issued within per cent 100 100 specified timelines 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
76 Be Accessible An ‘Evaluation of Nurse Labour Force
Health Promotion Planning’ was completed in March 1999 and provides a ten year projection of the ■ Through the Active for Life Physical Activity Strategy developed by the Division, in collaboration with Sport and Recreation Victoria, new initiatives were jointly planned demand for, and supply of, the nurse labour and existing programs enhanced to encourage regular physical activity through supportive environments, community force in Victoria and professional education, and better access to facilities. Public Health and Development provided a major contribution to the Strategy in 1998–1999 by managing a major community education program, initiating the Active Script Be Focussed on Performance and Program for GPs and extending the Walk and Talk program model to 50 locations across the State. Efficient Management
■ Work was commenced on a statewide nutrition promotion program to encourage diversity in the diet. Improving Nursing Workforce
■ Significant effort was made to improve rural health through ■ An ‘Evaluation of Nurse Labour Force Planning’ was a rural men's health program funded in nine localities and a completed in March 1999 and provides a ten year projection rural cardiovascular health promotion program supporting ten of the demand for, and supply of, the nurse labour force in localities across Victoria. Victoria.
■ The Key Stakeholder Forum for Health Promotion and Disease ■ In July 1998, a task force was appointed to oversee the Prevention brought together senior stakeholders from the implementation of the Nurse Practitioner role which has the human services sector to identify developmental needs and potential to improve health service access, and to increase realistic, effective strategies for health promotion, addressing diversity and flexibility of service provision in both rural and issues of coordination, capacity building and research. metropolitan Victoria.
Clinical Genetic Services Traditional Chinese Medicine Registration Legislation ■ An additional $750,000 for clinical genetic services in 1998–1999 was used to augment existing programs and ■ Victoria has taken the lead in exploring the feasibility of the implement new or pilot programs. These included better registration of Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners. The access to clinical and counselling services; enhanced Victorian ‘Chinese Medicine Registration Bill’ was introduced rural programs; diagnosis and predictive testing for adult into the Victorian Parliament in May, 1999. A key feature of neurogenetics, cystic fibrosis, fragile X and community this Bill is for the Chinese Medicine Register to have three and professional education. divisions—Chinese herbal medicine, Acupuncture and Chinese herbal dispensing. Practitioners can apply for registration in one or more of the divisions of the Register, but must have the relevant qualifications required by the Board in that division to be eligible for registration. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
77 Youth and Family Services
The Youth and Family Services Division Through the purchase and delivery of a range of services, the Division aims to reduce the incidence of abuse and problem leads in the development of the youth behaviours, increase family and individual resilience, and contribute to sustained well-being. and family service system and The youth and family services system comprises generalist and the delivery of services targeted services which contribute to the well-being of children, young people, families and individuals through the:
■ Provision of a foundation for the development of optimal health and well-being during the first six years of life.
■ Reduction of the incidence of abuse of children and young people in the community.
■ Improvement of life chances for children, young people, families and individuals identified as significantly at risk.
■ Minimisation of the effects of abuse on children and young people.
1998–1999 ■ Minimisation of the incidence and prevalence of problem behaviours in the youth population. Annual ReportAnnual
78 In addition, the Division administers a range of concessions to Protect and Care for Those At Risk eligible pensioners and concession card holders. Access to affordable basic services is provided through energy, water, Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Services sewerage, transport and municipal rates concessions, and the availability of one-off utility relief scheme grants. The Division ■ A major focus of the Division continued to be refining and also administers the Community Services Obligation contract enhancing Child Protection and Juvenile Justice statutory with State Trustees for the provision of financial administration services. The principal developments in Child Protection were the completion of outsourcing of placement and support services for low income, vulnerable people. services, the further development of strengthened interventions for high risk infants and high risk adolescents, and the implementation of the Victorian Risk Framework. Table 24 : Youth and Family Services Redevelopment ■ Significant enhancements were introduced into statutory The Youth and Family Services Redevelopment will result in a major change child protection and placement services and sustained in the way targeted services for children, families and young people are improvements in the quality and consistency of performance purchased. were achieved. These included: The redevelopment is focussed on the following key areas for further improvement: ~ Strengthened interventions for high risk infants and high
■ Clear specification of the key client outcomes and service objectives of risk adolescents. the system. ~ Involvement in the the Working Together Strategy which ■ Strengthening of the preventive services to balance and complement the aimed at improved service provision for young people who statutory intervention services. are clients of more than one of the following services: ■ Ensuring clear access points to appropriate services. Child Protection, Juvenile Justice, Placement and Support, Drug Treatment and Mental Health. ■ Introduction of client based funding where appropriate.
■ Grouping of services to provide effective responses to a range of family ~ Strengthened placement and support services for and individual needs. Aboriginal children.
■ Delivery of services on the basis of appropriate area configurations. ~ Major practice improvements through the development ■ Development of accountability measures based on improving client and implementation of the Victorian Risk Framework outcomes. and the Enhanced Client Outcomes initiatives. During 1998–1999, the service redesign and purchasing and performance measurement approaches were completed, paving the way for the first ~ Development of a quality audit tool to monitor phase of purchasing in 1999–2000. regional child protection practices and provide the basis for improvement.
Key strategic achievements in Youth and Family Services in ~ A major labour market study for child protection worker 1998–1999 are reported below in the context of the Key Result competencies and future training and recruitment Areas and associated strategies identified in the 1998–1999 strategies. Departmental Plan. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
79 Number of Child Protection Notifications, ■ Figure 41 Demand pressures continued to be evident for both the child 1992–1993 to 1998–1999 protection and juvenile justice service systems. The number of child protection notifications continued to increase. During 40,000 1998–1999, there were 34,775 notifications, an increase of 30,000 nearly 5 per cent over the previous year. (see Figure 41 and 42) 20,000
10,000 ■ Significant enhancements were introduced in Juvenile Justice in response to growth in custodial sentences for juvenile offenders. Other initiatives included:
~ Provision of additional resources for court advisory 1992–1993 1993–1994 1994–1995 1995–1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 services. Maintenance of a strong court advice service by community-based Juvenile Justice Units greatly
Number of Child Protection Notifications assisted in the diversion of young people appearing in the Children’s Court to the most appropriate sentencing outcome.
~ Establishment of a new metropolitan-based Adolescent Forensic Health Service.
Number of Child Protection Notifications ~ Enhancement of drug treatment services for young Figure 42 Substantiated (1992–1993 to 1998–1999)* offenders through the Turning the Tide strategy.
8,000 ~ Implementation of the Young Offender Pilot Program, a
7,500 Commonwealth/State initiative to develop best practice
7,000 approaches which divert young offenders from a pattern
6,500 of crime and instead engage them in education, training,
6,000 employment and community activities.
5,500 ■ 5,000 In response to continuing growth in custodial sentences for
4,500 juvenile offenders, the Senior Youth Training Centre custodial capacity was increased by a total of 35 beds.
High Risk Infants and Adolescents Initiatives
1992–1993 1993–1994 1994–1995 1995–1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 ■ Further implementation of the High Risk Infants Service
Number of Child Protection Notifications Substantiated Quality Initiatives Project occurred through the establishment
* 1998–1999 figures are subject to further upward revision as investigations are finalised of Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Services (PASDS). These important new services, which have attracted interest across Australia and overseas, were established to introduce more decisive and earlier interventions and improved service coordination in cases of infants assessed as being at high risk of abuse and/or neglect. A project to develop a consistent, research based assessment and skill development tool, to be used by all PASDS in the future, was also commenced.
■ Service enhancement was also achieved through implementation of the first phase of the High Risk Adolescents Quality Initiatives Improvement Project. Intensive support was provided to the highest priority at risk adolescents through the development of intensive case 1998–1999 managed services, one to one home-based care packages, brokerage funds and mentoring projects. Annual ReportAnnual
80 Victorian Risk Framework Number of Sentences of Detention Figure 43 Imposed on Young Persons (Children’s Court ■ The full incorporation of the Victorian Risk Framework (VRF) and Adult Court), 1984–1985 to 1998–1999 and the associated Enhanced Client Outcomes (ECO) approach into child protection practice was substantially progressed in 1,100 1998–1999. These approaches were developed to better 1,000 target responses to children and young people at risk of harm, 900 improve effectiveness in the detection of possible high risk 800 child protection cases, and improve risk management 700 processes and child protection practices. Implementation 600 strategies covered training, regional implementation, training 500 support, a communication strategy, ongoing development of the VRF, policy review and evaluation. 84–85 85–86 86–87 87–88 88–89 89–90 90–91 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97 97–98 98–99 Enhancement of Koori Placement and Support
Services Number of Sentences of Detention Imposed on Young Persons
■ Work was commenced to enhance Koori placement and support services to help prevent the need for out-of-home care placement and facilitate speedy reunification with the family. Following extensive consultation with the Koori Table 25 : Young People in Institutions or Under community, detailed service planning was completed for a Community Supervision as at 30 June 1999 home-based placement support service in Grampians Region. 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
■ The Aboriginal Family Preservation service in Loddon Youth Training Centre 110 164 177 184 Mallee Region was extended to cover the Swan Hill Youth Residential Centre 5 8 6 2 Mildura community and planning was commenced to establish a Southern Metropolitan Region Aboriginal Family Probation 623 497 552 507 Preservation service. Enhanced case management funds Youth Attendance Order 63 50 61 39 were made available to Gippsland, Loddon-Mallee, Hume and Northern Metropolitan Regions. Parole 47 55 52 52 Youth Supervision Order 219 190 212 218
Redevelopment of St Vincent’s Boys Home
■ Under the Transitional Integrated Education Residential TOTAL 1067 964 1060 1002 Services Project, the redevelopment of St Vincent’s Boys Home proceeded. The existing service was replaced by specialised residential units in Southern and Northern Metropolitan Regions. Planning commenced for the establishment of a transitional learning centre to replace the former St Vincent’s Boys Home School.
Other Support for Vulnerable Families and Individuals
■ The Strengthening Families Initiative was fully implemented in 1998–1999. Purchased services provided intensive case management and support services for vulnerable families who might otherwise require protective intervention. Annual Report Annual Report ■ The Problem Gambling advertising campaign was undertaken to raise awareness in the community about problem gambling behaviours and services for problem gambling. 1998–1999
81 Table 26 : New Admissions to Juvenile Justice Services, 1993–1994 to 1998–1999
1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
Youth Training Centre (Sentenced) 255 252 268 308 455 490
Youth Training Centre (Remand) 460 314 397 301 302 242
Youth Residential Centre (Sentenced) 17 16 12 25 19 20
Youth Residential Centre (Remand) 225 159 197 146 92 77
Probation 687 652 723 721 879 865
Youth Attendance 95 80 85 104 128 96
Parole 141 118 133 127 166 173
Youth Supervision 327 313 307 336 418 473
Total 2,207 1,904 2,122 2,068 2,459 2,436
Table 27 : Protective Services for Children and Young ■ Full implementation of School-Focused Youth Services was People, 1997–1998 to 1998–1999* also achieved. This initiative, an outcome of the Suicide Prevention Task Force report recommendations, aims to Types of Referrals 1997–98 1998–99 improve support to young people by establishing collaborative Notifications requiring further action 14,703 13,745 structures between schools and relevant community services. All projects were established (including 41 school Notifications which were dealt with by other means** 18,501 21,028 clusters) and an external evaluation was commenced.
Total notifications 33,204 34,775 ■ Number of notifications substantiated 7,488 7,210 A $60 winter power bonus was delivered to residents of caravan parks, rooming houses, private hotels and supported Protection applications issued 2,317 2,192 residential services. In the first year of this three year program, 12,000 residents received the bonus. Child Protection Clients on Court Orders At 30 At 30 June 1998 June 1999 Guardianship and custody orders 2,439 2,492
Other orders 1,072 1,041
Total 3,511 3,533 * Subject to revision as 1998–1999 cases are finalised. ** These involve responses to the notifier, file checks, and/or case conference 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
82 Be Responsive to Client Needs
Specialist Children’s Services Enhancements
■ New funding for specialist children’s services enhancements was announced to better meet the needs of families and children with developmental delay or a disability. Funds were allocated to provide additional early intervention services in areas of identified need and expand the Early Choices program.
Children’s Services Regulations
■ Following enactment on 1 June 1998, full implementation of the Children’s Services Regulations 1998 to ensure that all services for children under the age of six years maintain minimum standards of care and safety.
Redevelopment of Nightshelters
■ The redevelopment of Victoria’s nightshelters was completed with residents from the final nightshelter, Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation, moving into their new accommodation in West Melbourne. This initiative has resulted in the provision of high quality accommodation and targeted service delivery to the most disadvantaged homeless people in the Victorian Community.
Problem Gambling Services Strategy
■ Building on previous strategies, the Problem Gambling Services Strategy 1999–2002 was announced with the aim of consolidating problem gambling services and further developing an integrated, streamlined service delivery model. Funds from the Community Support Fund have been provided for the purchase of two major components which underpin the strategy: direct client services and service development and planning.
Homeless and Family Violence Services
■ Improvement of service outcomes for clients of Homeless and Family Violence services was enhanced by the implementation of the Case Management Quality Improvement Workbook. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
83 Table 28 : Output Performance Delivery in Youth and Output Performance Delivery in Youth and Family Services Family Services Major Outputs/Deliverables Major Outputs/Deliverables 1998–99 1998–99 1998–99 1998–99 Performance Measures Unit of Target Actual Performance Measures Unit of Target Actual Measure Measure Accommodation Support and Assistance
Children’s Services Quantity Homeless persons support and number 7,200 7,345 Quantity accommodation capacity Funded preschool places number 62,500 60,725 Quality Quality Clients with an agreed case plan (d) per cent 90 75.5 Percentage of funded agencies meeting per cent 90 90 quality assurance processes and Protection and Placement Services mechanisms Quantity Timeliness/Access Referral to child protection services number 31,500 34,775 Preschool participation rate per cent 92 91.8 Quality Parenting and Child Development Cases reinvestigated within 12 months per cent <20 20 of closure Quantity Total number of clients (a) number 178,000 185,000 Timeliness Protective investigation cases closed per cent 80 73 Quality within 90 days Percentage of services provided to per cent 95 100 families and individuals in target group
Timeliness/Access a) Estimate. Children 0-1 month enrolled at Maternal per cent 98 99 b) Estimate, reflects increased demand for individual support services. and Child Health Service c) Indicator has been replaced with "number of young people assisted by youth support services (including school-focused youth services)". Community Services d) Variation reflects lower than expected involvement of clients in case planning. Quantity Funded hours of Neighbourhood House number 234,000 234,000 Coordination
Family and Individual Support
Quantity Total number of clients (b) number 162,000 174,000
Quality Percentage of services provided to per cent 95 95 families and individuals in target group (a)
Youth Services
Quantity Youth support client contacts (c) number na 22,513
Juvenile justice custodial facilities per cent 85 97.0 occupancy rate
Quality Juvenile justice clients on community per cent >80 82.5 based orders 1998–1999 Timeliness Sentenced offenders service plans per cent 80 89.1 completed within 6 weeks Annual ReportAnnual
84 Be Accessible
Access to Youth, Family and Community Services
■ Highlights during 1998–1999 were increased provision of early intervention services for families of children with developmental delay/disabilities, full establishment of Strengthening Families services for vulnerable families who may otherwise require protective intervention, establishment of the School-Focussed Youth Service, and full implementation of the Freeza Program (drug and alcohol free entertainment) and website.
■ These initiatives complemented the strengthening of the statutory services and represent the forerunners to the linked service system outlined in the Youth and Family Services Service Redevelopment publications.
■ Following commencement late in 1997–1998, Parentline became fully operational. This 24 hour statewide telephone service provides families with information, advice and referral on parenting issues. Parentline received a total of 22,125 calls from the beginning of the service to 30 June 1999. Surveys indicated a high level of satisfaction with the service. (see Figure 44)
■ At 31 March 1999, there were 526,426 children in the birth to six year age range who were enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health Service. This service is available to all Victorian families. It provides health surveillance, health education and support, and is an important platform for referral to a range of other health and welfare services. Figure 44 Reasons for Calls to Parentline, 1998–1999
School Issue 3% Sexuality 1% Adolescent Behavioural/Emotional Issue 24% Child At Risk 2% Substance Abuse 4% Child Behavioural/Emotional Issue 27% Relationship Issue 19% Parent Specific Issue 16% Health Related Issue 4% Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
85 ■ In 1998 the School Nursing Service completed a total of 71,230 assessments. Of these, 55,342 children in their preparatory year were assessed using the School Entrant Health Questionnaires. Twenty percent of these children required some form of follow up intervention, such as counselling, advice or referral and a further 29 per cent of parents required reassurance or guidance about their child’s well-being.
■ At February 1999, there were 60,725 confirmed enrolments in preschools. Due to the highly successful Koori Early Childhood Program that commenced in February 1998, the Koori preschool participation rate for Victoria increased from 35.8 per cent in February 1998 to 60.3 per cent in February 1999. It also rose in all Regions. This increase can largely be attributed to the nine Koori Early Childhood Field Officers who work with Koori communities to identify barriers to preschool participation and develop strategies to overcome them. (see Figure 45) Koorie Preschool Participation Rates, Figure 45 February 1998–February 1999
Table 29 : Koorie Preschool Participation Rates, Barwon- South Western February 1998–February 1999
Gippsland Barwon South Western 36.0% 73.8%
Gippsland 47.9% 72.5% Grampians
Grampians 21.2% 69.2%
Hume 59.1% 91.8% Hume
Loddon Mallee 55.9% 85.0% Loddon Mallee Eastern Metropolitan 14.3% 24.5%
Northern Metropolitan 43.0% 54.3% Eastern Metropolitan Southern Metropolitan 11.0% 29.2% Northern Western Metropolitan 19.3% 28.9% Metropolitan
Southern Metropolitan
Western Metropolitan 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
February 1998
February 1999 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
86 Youth and Family Services for a Culturally and Table 30 : Output Performance Delivery in Concessions to Linguistically Diverse Community Pensioners and Beneficiaries
■ The Indo-Chinese Support Services for Young Offenders Major Outputs/Deliverables commenced operation in September 1998. This initiative involves the provision of intensive post-release support to 1998–99 1998–99 young people on release from custody; consultancy services Performance Measures Unit of Target Actual for Juvenile Justice staff; and information, advice and referral Measure services for young offenders and their families. Energy Concessions
■ The Positive Parenting Access Strategy for People of Quantity Culturally Diverse Backgrounds was tendered. The Strategy Households receiving mains electrical number 678,000 644,487 will enable parents and carers to access high quality user concessions friendly parenting information materials in their own Households receiving mains gas number 508,000 500,628 language. concessions
■ A multicultural strategy was developed for Supported Households receiving non-mains number 16,300 19,297 Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) services in energy concessions consultation with the Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) Practice Development Working Group. The resource Water and Sewerage Concessions guide Working with a Multicultural Community was produced Quantity to support SAAP workers to provide effective and appropriate Households receiving water and number 510,000 566,609 service options to clients from culturally diverse backgrounds. sewerage rates concessions
■ The completion of the purchasing approach for the Municipal Rates Concessions redevelopment of youth and family services included the identification of strategies to meet the needs of specific Quantity ethnic and cultural groups. Households receiving pensioner number 421,000 379,355 concessions for municipal rates and charges ■ These initiatives complemented a range of strategies already in place to promote access to youth and family services for Trustee Services culturally and linguistically diverse groups. Quantity Clients receiving State Trustee services number 14,420 10,400
Quality Compliance with standards per cent 90 83.1
Timeliness Responses and ongoing management per cent 90 96.3 within agreed product specific service level Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
87 Concessions to Pensioners and Beneficiaries Figure 46 Utility Relief Grants 1997–1998 to 1998–1999 ■ Concessions on utility bills were provided to a third of all Victorian households connected to gas, electricity and water supplies. Electricity
■ The emphasis on promoting awareness and take-up of water Gas concessions continued, resulting in an increase of six per cent in the number of households receiving a concession for water
Water usage. In addition, there was increased awareness and take up of Utility Relief Grants, designed to assist people in financial crisis to pay their bills and remain connected to supply of gas, electricity and water. The number of grants 0
500 approved increased by 9.6 per cent to 9,060. (see Figure 46) 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500
■ 1997–1998 A Winter Power Bonus was delivered to 12,000 residents of caravan parks, rooming houses, private hotels and 1998–1999 supported residential services. A special program was established to facilitate the replacement of gas appliances damaged through the process of being disconnected during the gas shortage in October 1998. A total of 1,570 gas appliances was replaced in home owner concessions households at a value of $1.6 million.
Be Focussed on Performance and Efficient Management
Placement and Support System Redevelopment
■ Significant redevelopment of the placement and support system continued in 1998–1999. These important services provide safe and stable care for children and young people unable to live with their families. Service models tailored to the life stage and continuing care needs of clients were put in place, involving strengthened home-based care capacity and a reduced focus on residential care.
New Purchasing Arrangements for Targeted Child, Youth, and Family Services
■ Work was undertaken to prepare for the phasing in of new purchasing arrangements for targeted child, youth, and family services. This major redevelopment aims to improve the client focus of services for the delivery of improved client outcomes through the purchase of effective, best practice, value for money services. For each of the service groups to be purchased under the Youth and Family Services redevelopment, outcomes and output measures were identified. An initial set of outcomes was developed for each service group with service providers’ input and is designed to be an important component of service 1998–1999 provider accountability. Annual ReportAnnual
88 Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria is the Victorian In 1998–1999, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria’s three key objectives were to: Government's central coordinating ■ Provide strategic policy and program advice to Government on agency for Aboriginal Aboriginal issues.
■ Develop and implement culturally appropriate policies and affairs. programs to meet the needs of Victoria's Aboriginal people.
■ Manage Aboriginal cultural heritage services, including the administration of cultural heritage legislation.
To achieve its first objective, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria consults extensively with local and statewide Aboriginal communities and organisations, as well as government agencies at local, State and Commonwealth levels. It also assists other government departments in developing policies and programs that are appropriate and accessible to the Aboriginal peoples of Victoria. Consultation and liaison activities also underpin Aboriginal Affairs Victoria’s second key objective. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
89 Protect and Care for Those At Risk Doing Business ■ Doing Business is a policy framework that describes how the Aboriginal Justice Strategy Victorian Government will work with Koori communities and business people to promote and encourage enterprise activity ■ The Victorian Aboriginal Justice Plan is being jointly and create new employment opportunities. Achievements in developed by the Department of Justice and the Department 1998–1999 included: of Human Services in partnership with the Koori Community. The Plan is designed to provide a strategic planning and ~ Launching of Doing Business: a Policy for Building up the program delivery framework to reduce Aboriginal contact Koori Business Sector. with the criminal justice system. ~ Production of the Victorian Indigenous Business Directory. ■ The Plan draws on the principles and planning models adopted by the Department of Human Services in the Koori ~ Publication of Open For Business: experiences of Koori Services Improvement Strategy. It is proposed that the Business People in Victoria. partnership between the Koori community and Government will be formalised through the signing of the Victorian ~ The establishment of the Koori Business Network within Aboriginal Justice Agreement. the Department of State Development’s Business Victoria.
■ For Koori entrepreneurs thinking of establishing a business, Be Responsive to Client Needs the Koori Business Network facilitates access to quality advice and support to turn their skills and ideas into ■ The needs of Victoria’s Aboriginal people are diverse and commercially viable businesses. Existing business operators broad, and include cultural, economic, social, health, and are provided a range of ‘after-care’ services that focus on educational issues. Agencies at both the Commonwealth and building up skills, information and networks to assist in the State levels have programs to meet a range of these needs. continued growth of the enterprises. Aboriginal Affairs Victoria has specific roles with regard to cultural heritage, while its programs in other areas ■ Particular attention is being paid to meeting the needs of complement those of other agencies. It also has an important young people and women who wish to set up businesses. role in ensuring that the programs of other Victorian As approximately half of the Victorian Koori community lives outside the metropolitan area, emphasis is being given to departments are suitable for and accessible by the State’s meeting the needs of people trying to establish enterprises indigenous peoples. in rural areas.
■ During 1998–1999 Aboriginal Affairs Victoria undertook initiatives in three important areas: community infrastructure Cultural Heritage development, enterprise development and cultural heritage protection. ■ A number of Aboriginal cultural heritage projects were established or completed in 1998–1999 to increase awareness of Aboriginal cultural heritage while helping to Community Infrastructure promote Aboriginal business enterprises. These included: A major redevelopment of the Aborigines Advancement League ~ Establishment of five regional Aboriginal organisations complex in Thornbury was completed this year, providing a focus from which cultural heritage services are being purchased. for a range of sporting, social, cultural and economic activities. ~ Protection from erosion of a major Aboriginal heritage place at Boole Poole Peninsula in the Gippsland Lakes. ■ Completion of the major redevelopment of the Aborigines Advancement League complex. ~ Successful completion of a pilot program to identify and document key Aboriginal sites and places in partnership ■ Renovation of the Koori Heritage Trust premises. with Aboriginal communities.
■ Development of the Dreaming Theatre at the Brambuk ~ Construction of the Aboriginal heritage display at the Gold Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Museum, Ballarat.
1998–1999 ~ The publication of the People of Gariwerd book.
■ Overall, in 1998–1999, $3.7 million was spent on the
Annual ReportAnnual purchase, construction and maintenance of community and cultural heritage facilities. (see Figure 47)
90 Project Number Community Infrastructure Project Project Number Community Infrastructure Project
1 Swan Hill - Access Road & Water Meter 12 Kerrup Jmara Elders Aboriginal Corp.
2 Swan Hill Cooperative - Toilet Block and Garage 13 Framlingham Trust - Deen Maar - Yambuk 3 Echuca - Purchase of Health Centre Back packers
4 Rumbalara - Construction of Club Rooms 14 Aborigines Advancement League Major Redevelopment 5 Rumbalara - Recovery Center 15 Fitzroy Stars Gym - Consultancy For Renovation 6 Mungabareena Cop. Purchase of Admin Building 16 Koori Heritage Trust - Building 7 Camp Jungai Water Supply 17 Aboriginal Community Elders Service - Building 8 Camp Jungai Bridge Works of Toilet Blocks
9 Brambuk - Consultancy For Internal Redesign
10 Brambuk - Stage Redevelopment
11 Ballarat Gold Museum
Figure 47 : Community Infrastructure Projects 1998–1999
Mildura Community Infrastructure Projects DHS regions 1998/99 Barwon Southwestern Eastern Metropolitan Gippsland 1, 2 Grampians Hume Loddon Mallee Northern Metropolitan 3 6Wodonga Southern Metropolitan Western Metropolitan 4, 5 Benalla Horsham Bendigo
Alexandra 9, 10 7, 8 11 Ballarat 14 - 17 Orbost Melbourne Bairnsdale Dandenong 12 Geelong Traralgon 13 Colac Portland Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
91 Table 31 : Output Delivery Performance in Aboriginal Services
1998–99 1998–99 Major Outputs/Deliverables Unit of Target Actual Performance Measures Measure
Strategic Policy and Program Advice
Quality Briefs completed within agreed per cent 85 90 deadlines and accepted by Minister
Timeliness Briefs completed within per cent 85 90 agreed timelines
Cultural Heritage Management and Legislation Services
Quantity Mining licence referrals per cent 100 100
Local government planning per cent 100 100 scheme reviews completed
Aboriginal cultural sites evaluated number 85 86 and recorded
Timeliness Extractive industry licence referrals per cent 100 100 processed within 28 days
High priority Aboriginal Cultural sites per cent 100 100 evaluated and recorded within 1 month
■ In 1998–1999, services for the development and implementation of management plans and site protection works for Aboriginal cultural heritage places were purchased at a total cost of $435,000. (see Figure 48)
Figure 48 : Heritage Services Branch Site Protection and Management Capital Program 1998–1999
Heritage Services Branch Site Protection and Management Mildura Capital Program 1998/99 DHS regions Barwon Southwestern JH 1 Shell Midden - Merbein Eastern Metropolitan Gippsland
Nyah and Vinyera Sites Grampians Hume Loddon Mallee Northern Metropolitan Southern Metropolitan Ebenezer Mission Barmah Forest Mounds Fencing Wodonga Western Metropolitan Sites Based Capital Works Mt. Pilot 2 Management Plan Murchison Protectorate Station Benalla Mudgeganga Rock Art Site Protection Horsham Bendigo Management Works
Mt. Arapiles Art Sites Grampians Rock Art Sites Carisbrook Archaeological Area Alexandra
Keilor Archaeological Site Mt. William Axe Quarry
Black Range Rock Art Sites Sunbury Rings Mallacoota Sites Ballarat Gippsland Axe Grinding Grooves Kororok Creek Aboriginal Place Ronald Bull Mural Orbost Melbourne Bairnsdale Lake Condon Mission Boole Poole Dandenong Traralgon Mount Rothwell Stone Arrangement Colac Geelong
1998–1999 Portland
Merri Creek Aboriginal School & Protectorate Station Annual ReportAnnual
92 ■ Aboriginal Affairs Victoria also supported and facilitated the establishment and development of five regional Aboriginal cultural heritage organisations. These separate and dedicated cultural heritage organisations were established to provide cultural heritage services, funded by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, in each of five regions across the state. These regions are based on Aboriginal language groups and contemporary population distributions and differ from Department regions. (see Figure 49)
■ The establishment of the cultural heritage organisations is promoting control by Aboriginal peoples of Victoria’s unique Aboriginal cultural heritage. It will also provide further opportunities for the external purchase of cultural heritage services.
Figure 49 : Regional Boundaries for Cultural Heritage
Regional Boundaries for Cultural Heritage Mildura Major Towns Heritage Regions Gippsland NORTH WEST Kulin nations North East North West South West & Wimmera
Wodonga
Horsham Bendigo Benalla SOUTH WEST Alexandra & GIPPSLAND WIMMERA Ballarat KULIN NATIONS Orbost Melbourne Bairnsdale Dandenong Geelong Traralgon Portland Colac Yarram Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
93 Be Accessible
Koori Services Improvement Strategy
■ The Koori Services Improvement Strategy (KSIS) is a partnership between the Department and Victorian Aboriginal communities to improve the health and social well-being of the Indigenous people in Victoria through improving access to, and the utilisation and effectiveness of, the Department’s human services.
■ While the implementation of the KSIS is a Department of Human Services responsibility, some components of KSIS are implemented by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. Achievements in 1998–1999 included:
~ Establishment of the Statewide KSIS Reference Group.
~ Awarding of 13 INTRAIN Scholarships to address the lack of Koori health and community services professionals.
~ Recruitment and placement of 17 Office Administration trainees under the Youth Employment Initiative Scheme. The trainees are placed within the Department of Human Services, the Department of Justice and National Mutual.
Be Focussed on Performance and Efficient Management
■ During 1998–1999, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria developed a strategic and business planning process that will restructure the agency’s work in accordance with recent reforms in the Victorian public sector. This includes the organisation of work and the assignment of budgets, on the basis of results expected, expressed in both outcome and output terms. This will facilitate resource allocation decisions based on each output’s contribution to government outcomes. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
94 Rural Health
Rural health services are purchased or Working closely with the regional offices and program Divisions, the Unit develops and coordinates policies and programs and delivered through the Department’s provides the lead role in the development of modern health services for small rural communities. It monitors the health of five rural regional offices, the Acute rural Victorians and also takes responsibility for specific rural health programs. Regional offices have direct responsibility for Health Division and the Rural agency agreements, budgets and negotiations at a local level.
Health Services Unit. The Department’s aim is to deliver a broader and more flexible range of services to country Victorians and to improve rural health status through health promotion activities, improved programs in research, and improved education, training and support for health professionals. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
95 Table 32 : Rural Health Strategic Directions 1999–2009 Protect and Care for Those At Risk
The development of the first ever Victorian Rural Health Strategic Directions Promoting models of enhanced case management, document was undertaken during 1998–1999 and launched in May 1999. targeting and coordination of services to clients This ten year strategy aims to create a sustained focus on rural health, with complex and high needs leading not only to better ways of delivering health services to rural ■ The Rural Health Services Unit supported the implementation communities, but also to better understand the underlying factors affecting of the Rural Men’s Health Program in nine localities across the health status of rural Victorians. It is designed to reduce the incidence rural Victoria, and improved Rural Public Health leadership in and death rates for heart disease and stroke, improve cancer screening rural Victoria through the Rural Public Health Event. Support was also provided for the Rural Health Development Program. rates and treatment outcomes, reduce the incidence and hospitalisation
rates for injury and poisoning, reduce the impact of diabetes, pneumonia, ■ Proposals developed by statewide, regional and local rural influenza and asthma, and improve mental health and perceptions of well- health services were implemented including rural telehealth access to complement current provincial telehealth networks; being among rural Victorians. Victoria 21 and VicOne participation projects by rural health The three main goals of the Strategic Directions are: organisations and continued development of the Rural Health Web Ring Consortium Project. 1. Improving public health and illness prevention in rural Victoria.
2. Ensuring service access and quality for rural Victorians.
3. Maintaining community safety in rural Victoria.
In consultation with all the Department’s Divisions, a three year Implementation Plan was developed. Achievements to date include:
■ Implementation of Purchasing Strategy for Department of Human Services Rural Regions in order to improve the effectiveness of funding and purchasing of services in rural Victoria.
■ Support provided for the development of the Electronic Journal of Rural Health.
■ Implementation of the Information, Information Technology and Telecommunications rural plans and the Rural Health Satellite Network analogue-to-digital conversion.
■ Support provided for the expansion of the Rural Telehealth network.
In addition to the service redevelopments and capital works undertaken through general program funding, key strategic achievements in rural health in 1998–1999 are reported below in the context of the Key Result Areas and associated strategies identified in the 1998–1999 Departmental Plan. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
96 Be Responsive to Client Needs
Improved information services for rural Victorians and education and training support for rural health professionals.
■ The Victorian Universities Rural Health Consortium received funding so it could provide rural placement and training opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate health students in country practice and to coordinate rural health research.
■ The Rural Health Web Consortium was supported by the Department to ensure improved information provision using new technology accessible through the Internet and to promote improved use of other new technologies which are particularly relevant to the country.
■ Rural Health Services forums were conducted, focusing on improved service planning and local management.
■ Support for rural health research included a remote area nurse education participation project, Rural Interpreting, Education and Training Project, Community Consultation Project.
■ The Monash University Centre for Rural Health extended its targeted programs in research, education and support for school students, undergraduates and postgraduates.
■ The Coordinating Unit for Rural Health Education in Victoria used Rural Health Week and key strategies and projects to improve education and training of health professionals including rural doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and Koori health workers.
■ The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria received funding so that it could support the recruitment and retention of rural health professionals including rural doctors, rural nurses and rural allied health professionals. Rural Workforce Agency Victoria brought together previous Rural Incentive Program projects and new projects supported by the Department. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
97 Be Accessible Rural Service Change Programs
Rural Healthstreams Program
■ The Rural Healthstreams Program, introduced in 1996, is ensuring that health agencies in small rural communities are able to provide a broader range of services in community- based and home-based settings. Eleven rural health agencies have been approved for participation in the Rural Healthstreams Program, with a further eleven services acquiring approved in principle status.
Figure 50 : Rural Healthstreams
Healthstreams (9) Healthstreams - AIP (12) Loddon Mallee Multi Purpose Service (6)
Hume
Grampians
Gippsland
Barwon South Western
0 50 100 Kilometres
N 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
98 Bush Nursing Hospitals Program
■ Over 6,300 occasions of service were provided in emergency stabilisation, medical, obstetrics and dialysis services in 18 bush nursing hospitals in 1998–1999. A review of the Bush Nursing Hospital Program Guidelines was instigated. Community Support Funding of $2.5 million was made available for Bush Nursing Hospitals and Centres capital and equipment.
Figure 51 : Bush Nursing
Bush Nursing Agencies Bush Nursing Hospital (23) Loddon Mallee Bush Nursing Centre (19)
Hume
Grampians
Gippsland
Barwon South Western
0 50 100 Kilometres
N Produced By: Rural Health Services unitÐMarch 1999 Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
99 Be Focussed on Performance and Efficient ~ Continence services Management ~ Youth services
~ Podiatry services ■ The Rural Healthstreams Reporting Project has been developed to streamline reporting for rural health services. ~ Diabetes Education A total of $1,554,760 for the interchange of funds by Rural Healthstreams approved agencies for new or expanded ~ Counselling and welfare services services was identified. These services included: ~ Post acute services ~ Respite Care—inpatient and community-based ~ Community dental program. ~ Palliative Care—inpatient and community-based
~ District nursing services Small Rural Hospitals Service Planning and Capital Works Program ~ Health promotion/education activities ■ Cumulative expenditure on small rural health service capital investment since 1992 reached $78 million. Implementation ~ Primary care co-ordinator of service planning and associated capital works continued, with 34 service plans being developed to address the future ~ Accident/stabilisation service planning needs of over 30 separate rural communities.
~ Community health nursing services
~ Day hospital/rehabilitation centre
~ Community transport
~ In-patient rehabilitation
~ Allied health services
~ Pathology collection service
~ Male day care service
~ Managed care program
~ Meals on Wheels 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
100 Corporate Support
In an organisation which plans, purchases or Three corporate support divisions, Corporate Resources, Corporate Strategy and Portfolio Services, guide and coordinate: directly delivers the diversity of services ■ Development of an integrated Departmental vision. that the Department of Human ■ Provision of financial, capital and human resource management for the Department as a whole. Services currently undertakes, ■ Development of external purchasing and other business corporate support functions are standards.
necessary to ensure a coherent ■ Facilitation of cross-program co-ordination and co-operation.
■ Provision of a central point of reference for interactions and consistent approach. with other government departments at the State and National level. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
101 Corporate Resources Division The Capital Management Branch continued the upgrade and redevelopment of the Metropolitan Health Care Networks and Corporate Resources Division provides support and technical undertook new works projects at the Broadmeadows Health expert advice to the Ministers, the Secretary, Program areas and Service, Parkville Youth Training Service, Cranbourne Regions in the areas of finance, capital management, human Ambulatory Care Centre, Box Hill Acute Clinical Upgrade, resources, external purchasing and private sector contracts Bendigo Health Care Development, Kaniva Hospital management. It also promotes the effective use of technology Redevelopment and Altona Adult Day Training Service. Other to achieve the best possible client services. major projects included the improvement of fire safety and energy systems, purchasing new rental housing stock, and Significant contributions and achievements by the Division redeveloping and upgrading rural hospitals, aged care facilities, during 1998–1999 included: laboratories, and other health care facilities. In total $275 million was spent on capital works. ■ Continued coordination of the Transforming Business 21 Strategy (TB21). This initiative aims to re-engineer the Department’s business processes and maximise the potential to use technology to improve service delivery.
■ The staged implementation of a major IT system to manage service agreement processes.
■ Establishment of the Private Sector Contracts Branch to manage provider contracts with Build Own and Operate facilities and to monitor the performance of private providers.
■ Renegotiation by Human Resources Branch of a number of major enterprise agreements. Sixty three per cent of the Department’s eligible workforce have now entered into an Australian Workplace agreement.
■ Advanced the strategic executive development plan through the introduction of 360 degree feedback for senior officers and improved development and succession planning.
■ Introduction of a bi-annual employee climate survey in order to provide a barometer of organisational health.
■ The launch of Selecting Well, a best practice strategic tool designed to improve recruitment practices.
■ Development and implementation of a Managing Underperformance policy that has lowered the incidence of investigations and discipline processes.
Financial and Administrative Services have continued to support improvements in resource management through implementation of the Government’s Management Reform Program. During the year a suite of financial management reports have been developed and introduced to further promote accrual accounting concepts and improve informed management decision making throughout the Department. A significant contribution to 1998–1999 reporting to the public has been made through the development of an accrual based budget and the development of operating statement and balance sheet reporting. Annual ReportAnnual
102 ■ Establishment of the Business Development Branch, following Corporate Strategy Division the recommendations of the Corporate Infrastructure Corporate Strategy Division manages the Department’s budget Review, to: development process, leads the Department’s strategic planning processes, provides advice on strategic policy issues, and ~ Facilitate and encourage cross-program co-ordination, development of common service definitions and coordinates the Department’s external and internal performance streamlining of the purchasing process to achieve greater reporting processes. It also provides the Department’s consistency across program areas. co-ordinating interface with the Commonwealth Government, has a significant role in facilitating the development of the ~ Lead investment in the development of outcome export potential of the Victorian public health sector and has indicators. Departmental head office responsibility for Ambulance Services and the Barwon South Western Region. ~ Provide products, systems and advice to support the implementation of key Departmental business processes In addition to its central role in coordinating the Department’s including tendering and contracting management, performance improvement through contestability, internal negotiation of the new Australian Health Care Agreement with service agreements and business transformation. the Commonwealth, significant contributions by Corporate Strategy Division in 1998–1999 included: ■ Development of the 1999–2000 Departmental Strategic Plan.
■ Continuing multilateral negotiations on the proposal to grant ■ Together with Business Development Branch, working closely access by public hospitals to the PBS for non-admitted together on the Purchasing Client Services initiative from patients and admitted patients on discharge and to move Transforming Business 21 to develop a more sophisticated some high cost chemotherapy drugs to the highly specialised and streamlined approach to purchasing across the drugs program. Department.
■ Negotiations with the Commonwealth on the Commonwealth- State Housing Agreement (concluded following the end of the financial year), the Public Health Outcomes Funding Agreement and funding for the provision of health services to Kosovar evacuees.
■ Progressing the development of a process to implement the national tax reform package in the human services portfolio. This work will ensure compliance with new requirements for reporting relevant fringe benefits on group certificates of individual taxpayers from 1 April 1999, and the beginning of a process for GST implementation from 1 July 2000.
■ Establishment of the ‘Health Victoria’ trademark by the Export Development Office (EOD) to help the Department to showcase its health care reform capacity in the international arena and to promote the Victorian health system to visiting delegations from countries overseas. The EDO also assisted the publicly funded health sector develop appropriate export protocols and played a supporting role to the Department of State Development in promoting Victorian human services related exports. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
103 Portfolio Services Division The Portfolio Services Division provides support services to Ministers, the Secretary, Divisions and Regions via four business units:
■ Internal Audit, providing an independent appraisal activity on the Department’s operations and reporting to the Secretary on its audit and program reviews. The Branch promotes awareness amongst Department officers about the need to manage risk and to comply with prescribed financial accountability procedures.
■ Legal Services, providing a range of legal services to Ministers, the Secretary and officers of the Department. Services provided include legislation support, legal advice, litigation support and property law services.
■ Secretariat, responsible for Parliamentary and Executive Services, Ministerial and Executive Correspondence and Briefings, Ombudsman Review, Freedom of Information and Delegations.
■ Corporate Communications (incorporating Communications and Media) providing communication and marketing advice, including advertising management, launch/event planning, print and electronic production, marketing research, and, servicing the media and publicity requirements of the Ministers, the Secretary and the Department.
Specific achievements of the Portfolio Services Division in 1998–1999 include:
■ Introduction of a system to measure delivery of services to clients including output measurements and services provided by in-house and panel solicitors.
■ A review and restructure of the Audit Branch aligning the audit focus on contracted services and risk management practices.
■ Introduction of training programs on correspondence, briefings and parliamentary procedures, and FOI by the Secretariat tailored to meet the specific needs of the Department’s Divisions and Regions.
■ Development by Corporate Communications of a health services directory: A Guide to Your Local Health Services, listing a broad range of health services ranging from hospitals, community health services and local neighbourhood support services. The directory was distributed to all households in Victoria and is now available electronically on 1998–1999 the Better Health Channel website. The directory was recently awarded the Customer Service Award in the Australian Marketing Institute’s 1999 National Public Sector
Annual ReportAnnual Awards for Marketing Excellence.
104 Financial Report Operating Statement for the Year Ended 30 June 1999
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 REFER 1998/99 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
Operating Revenue
210,00 1 210,00 1 Net rent receivable 1(L) & 2(i) 230,12 4 75,07 1 75,88 6 Interest income 2(ii) 47,96 2 3,47 7 3,47 7 User charges - rental properties 2(iii) 3,96 4 59,83 2 61,25 8 Other income 2(iv) 35,80 3 3,15 3 3,15 3 Workcover recoups and proceeds from sale of motor vehicles 1(I)(i) - 803,67 4 803,67 4 User charges, sale of assets and Commonwealth Receipts 1(l)(ii) & 2(v) 762,55 7 (803,484 ) (803,484 ) Payments of revenue collected to the Consolidated Fund 1(l)(ii) & 2(v) (762,557 ) 351,72 4 353,96 5 Total Operating Revenue 317,85 3
Operating Expenses 479,78 6 480,49 9 Employee costs 466,47 2 157,83 3 159,03 6 Supplies and services 193,61 3 67,50 7 67,50 7 Financing including Housing debt assumption costs 5 67,48 2 1,69 0 1,69 0 Interest expense - 4,501,40 9 4,501,40 9 Services provided by external agencies 8(ii) 4,916,05 4 50,61 4 50,61 4 Capital asset charge 1(I)(iii) 257,72 9 92,96 2 93,02 9 Depreciation and amortisation 1(G) & 15 92,36 1 131,02 8 131,02 8 Rental operating costs 143,73 3 5,55 1 5,55 1 Home finance operating costs 33 4 12,73 8 12,73 8 Resources provided free of charge 8(i) 49,19 4 1,65 0 1,65 0 Other 6,59 7 5,502,76 8 5,504,75 1 Total Operating Expenses 6,193,56 9
(5,151,044 ) (5,150,786 ) Net Cost of Services (5,875,716 )
Revenues from Government
3,862,40 7 3,862,40 7 Current appropriations 1(C) - 473,99 9 473,99 9 Capital appropriations 1(C) - - - Revenues from State Government 1(C) & 1(E) 4,196,22 0 - - Revenues from Commonwealth Government 1(C) & 1(E) 759,93 5 1,031,64 7 1,031,64 7 Special appropriations 1(E) 1,208,02 8 37,75 4 37,75 4 Appropriations from other authorities 4(i) 28,91 3 7,29 3 7,29 3 Resources received free of charge 1(E) & 4(ii) 3,24 2 5,413,10 0 5,413,10 0 Total Revenues from Government 6,196,33 8
(26,020 ) (26,023 ) Net Revenues/(Costs) from Disposal of Non-Current Assets 24 (4,768 )
- - Net Revenues from Change in Administrative Arrangements 29 48 5
236,03 6 236,29 1 Change in Net Assets from Operations before Extraordinary Items 316,33 9
1,086,77 6 1,094,65 9 Extraordinary items 28 -
1,322,81 2 1,330,95 0 Change in Net Assets from Operations after Extraordinary Items 316,33 9
The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 1999
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1998 1998 REFER 1999 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
Current Assets 243,844 262,556 Cash and short term deposits 1 0 71,775 66,196 66,272 Receivables 1 1 207,793 92,546 92,546 Loans 1 3 97,369 13,467 13,467 Prepayments 12,316 449 449 Inventories 519 416,502 435,290 Total Current Assets 389,772
Non-Current Assets 208 208 Receivables 1 1 44,319 572,554 572,554 Loans 1 3 434,060 6,184,000 6,184,000 Properties and fixed assets 1 5 6,696,193 6,756,762 6,756,762 Total Non-Current Assets 7,174,572
7,173,264 7,192,052 Total Assets 7,564,344
Current Liabilities 20,924 20,924 Bank overdraft 1 0 18,372 107,569 107,570 Creditors and accruals 6 120,553 35,962 35,962 Provisions for employee entitlements 7 41,957 1,902 1,902 Finance leases 16(b) 1,745 100,000 100,000 Advances 9 65,000 266,357 266,358 Total Current Liabilities 247,627
Non-Current Liabilities 913 913 Creditors and accruals 6 10,898 147,380 147,380 Provisions for employee entitlements 7 139,486 10,685 10,685 Finance leases 16(b) 10,270 425,651 425,651 Advances 9 334,651 584,629 584,629 Total Non-Current Liabilities 495,305
850,986 850,987 Total Liabilities 742,932
6,322,278 6,341,065 Net Assets 6,821,412
Equity 2,012,032 2,018,283 Reserves 2 7 2,196,431 4,310,246 4,322,782 Retained surplus 27 4,624,981 6,322,278 6,341,065 Total Equity 6,821,412
The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. Statement of Cash flows for the Year Ended 30 June 1999
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 1998/99 $000's $000's REFER $000's Inflow/(Outflow) Inflow/(Outflow) NOTE Inflow/(Outflow)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Receipts 209,04 4 209,04 4 Rent received 227,568 72,29 3 73,10 8 Interest received 48,36 1 3,47 6 3,47 6 User charges 3,96 4 38,82 7 40,51 0 Other receipts 35,97 9 3,15 3 3,15 3 Workcover recoups and proceeds from sale of motor vehicles 1(I)(i) - 803,48 4 803,48 4 Revenue collection for the Consolidated Fund 1(l)(ii) & 2(v) 762,557 (803,484 ) (803,484 ) Payments of revenue collected to the Consolidated Fund 1(l))(ii) & 2(v) (762,557 ) 326,79 3 329,29 1 Total receipts 315,872
Payments (478,772 ) (479,508 ) Employee costs (480,485 ) (159,660 ) (160,807 ) Supplies and services (191,407 ) (67,507 ) (67,507 ) Financing including Housing debt assumption costs (67,482 ) (2,486 ) (2,486 ) Interest costs - (4,463,364 ) (4,463,364 ) Services provided by external agencies (4,887,891 ) (50,614 ) (50,614 ) Capital asset charge 1(I)(iii) (236,252 ) (133,894 ) (133,894 ) Rental operating payments (142,965 ) (3,881 ) (3,881 ) Home finance operating payments (3,597) (10,303 ) (10,303 ) Other payments (9,812) (5,370,481 ) (5,372,364 ) Total payments (6,019,891)
Receipts from Government Appropriations 3,862,40 7 3,862,40 7 Current appropriations - 473,99 9 473,99 9 Capital appropriations - - - Revenues from State Government 4,007,104 - - Revenues from Commonwealth Government 759,935 1,031,64 7 1,031,64 7 Special appropriations 1,208,028 37,75 4 37,75 4 Appropriations from other authorities 28,91 3 5,405,80 7 5,405,80 7 Net cash inflows from government 6,003,980
362,11 9 362,73 4 Net cash provided by operating activities 18 299,961
Cash Flows from Investing Activities (376,575 ) (376,615 ) Payment for properties and fixed assets (530,753 ) (15,108 ) (15,108 ) Client loans granted (3,288) 161,73 6 161,73 6 Client loans repaid 138,242 84,72 6 94,40 1 Proceeds from the disposal of non-current assets 52,32 1 (145,221 ) (135,586 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities (343,478 )
Cash Flows from Financing Activities (362,505 ) (362,505 ) Repayment of advances (126,000 ) (362,505 ) (362,505 ) Net cash (used in) financing activities (126,000 )
(145,607 ) (135,357 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash held (169,517 ) 368,52 7 376,98 9 Cash held at the beginning of the financial year 222,920 222,92 0 241,63 2 Cash at the end of the financial year 10 53,403
The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. Summary of Compliance with Annual Parliamentary Appropriations for the Year Ended 30 June 1999
Appropriation Act Financial Management Act 1994 Total Annual Additional Appropriations Section 10 Section 29 Section 32 Section 35 Parliamentary Appropriation Approvals Not Applied Notes Authority $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Provision of outputs - Appropriation (1998-99, No. 1) Act 4,005,702 711,068 66,263 4,783,033 (7,083) - Additional allocations 21 & 22 28,863 51,489 2,010 12,400 94,762 Additions to net assets - Appropriation (1998-99, No. 1) Act 86,223 8,000 94,223 (11,900) - Additional allocations 21 & 22 5,741 5,741 Special Appropriations 21 & 22 1,057,775 61,702 89,387 1,208,864 (836)
Total 5,149,700 90,565 89,387 762,557 76,273 18,141 6,186,623 (19,819)
Notes: (1) The Appropriation Act 1998/99 reflects the introduction of accrual based budgeting. The Budget included the introduction of a Capital Asset Charge (CAC) based on total net assets for the Department and reporting agencies.
Appropriation Budget Additional Total Variance Special Appropriations Applied $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Gaming and Betting Act 1994 - Section 48 124,100 5,478 129,578 129,578 Tattersalls Consultation Act No. 6390 327,100 6,292 333,392 333,392 Casinos Control Act No. 47 of 1991 - Section 114 8,043 (867) 7,176 7,176 Club Keno Act No. 56 of 1993 - Section 7(5) 2,500 (141) 2,359 2,359 Gaming Machine Control Act No. 53 of 1991 - Section 197 596,032 50,940 646,972 646,972 Financial Management Act 1994 - Section 10 - Appropriation of Commonwealth grants 89,387 89,387 88,551 (836)
Total Special Appropriations 1,057,775 151,089 1,208,864 1,208,028 (836) Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Output Groups
(A) General System of Accounting These General Purpose Financial Statements have been prepared on an accrual basis using the historical cost convention, except for certain properties which are revalued periodically, the building component being depreciated on the revalued balance (see note 1(G)), and long service leave and superannuation liabilities which are measured at the present value of expected future payments.
(B) Accounting Policies and Presentation (i) The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Management Act 1994, the directions of the Minister for Finance under this Act, applicable Australian Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements. Pursuant to section 53(1)(b) of the Financial Management Act 1994, the Minister for Finance has granted approval for the Department of Human Services to prepare an annual report covering the Department of Human Services and the Director of Housing in respect of the 1995-96 and subsequent financial years. Accordingly, the Department's financial statements incorporate the public body Director of Housing under the Housing Act 1983 . On 17 December 1998 the controlled entity HealthIt Pty Ltd was placed into liquidation. These financial statements include an amount of $17.1 million received from the liquidation process. A further $2.6 million (approximately) is expected to be received in the following year from the liquidation of HealthIt Pty Ltd. Given this liquidation, it is not necessary to produce consolidated statements this year. (ii) Revenue available to the Department includes funds appropriated by Government grants from the Commonwealth Government and reimbursement for the delivery of services and some fees and charges. The Department administers, but does not control, some resources on behalf of the Victorian Government. The Department is responsible for the management of the transactions involving those administered resources, and acts on behalf of the Victorian Government. The accrual basis of accounting has been used in accounting for administered resources (notes 3a and 3b). Transactions and balances relating to these administered resources are not recognised as departmental revenues, expenses, assets or liabilities, but are disclosed in the applicable schedules under notes 3a and 3b. (iii) All non-current assets, including Crown land controlled by the Department, are reported in the Statement of Financial Position. Assets which the Department administers on behalf of the Victorian Government are reported as administered resources. (iv) The Department has received monies in a trustee capacity for various trusts (refer note 3a). As the Department performs only a custodial role in respect of these monies, and because the monies cannot be used for achievement of the Department's objectives, they are not brought to account in the general purpose financial reports.
(C) Comparative Figures The Department has reclassified the 1997-98 expenditure in the Operating Statement and Statement of Cash Flows to achieve consistency in disclosure with the 1998-99 report. The items affected are 'Finance including Housing debt assumption costs' and 'Interest expense' and the identification of 'Capital Asset Charge' which was previously included under 'Supplies and Services'. Income from Government in the 1997-98 financial year was categorised as current and capital. In the 1998-99 financial year income from Government is categorised as Revenues from State Government in accordance with the General Appropriation Act 1998.
(D) Rounding Off to the Nearest Thousand Dollars Rounding off to the nearest thousand dollars has been adopted for the financial statements.
(E) Revenues from State Government, Other Revenues and Resources Received Free of Charge In accordance with Australian Accounting Standard AAS 29 'Financial Reporting by Government DepartmentsÕ Government Appropriations are treated as revenue and included in the operating statement as 'Revenue from Government'. Revenue contributions are recognised when the Department obtains control over the assets. Control over appropriations is normally obtained when the Treasurer certifies that outputs have been delivered. Contributions and resources received free of charge are recognised at their fair value. Contributions of services are only recognised when a fair value can be reliably determined and the services would be purchased if not donated.
(F) Staff Benefits Costs and Liabilities (i) Superannuation Benefits The superannuation expense for the reporting period is determined by the Government appointed Actuary and other applicable Commonwealth and State legislation. The Department of Human Services, in respect to former employees of the Director of Housing, is required to pay into the Consolidated Fund an amount to cover the Government's contribution to the Government Superannuation Office (formerly Victorian Superannuation Board) for the shortfall of superannuation benefits paid to staff who retired or resigned on or before 14 December 1987 or were employed by the Director of Housing as at 14ÊDecember 1987 and retired or resigned prior to or on 30 June 1994. The present value of the unfunded liability that relates to the Director of Housing's obligation as calculated by the Government appointed Actuary which is included in the Statement of Financial Position of the Department is $75.39 million.
The Department of Human Services has no liability to fund the emerging costs (that is, pension costs) of existing and new staff. The accrual costs of existing staff are being paid on an ongoing basis and there is no exit cost obligation for new staff. The State's policy is that the Department of Treasury and Finance assumes the liability for existing employees and therefore the Department does not report a liability in relation to existing staff in the Statement of Financial Position. (ii) Other Employee Entitlements Recreational leave and long service leave entitlements have been provided for in accordance with Australian Accounting Standard AAS 30 'Accounting for Employee EntitlementsÕ. The calculation of employee entitlements includes the related on-costs of payroll tax, workcover and superannuation contributions. The Liability for long service leave is recognised at the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees to 30 June 1999. Expected future payments are based on expected future salary levels discounted using interest rates advised by the Department of Treasury and Finance. The allocation of long service leave liability between current and non-current parts has been based on the expected pattern of usage of staff leave entitlements.
(G) Valuation and Depreciation of Properties and Fixed Assets The cost method of accounting is used for the initial recording of all asset acquisitions controlled by the Department. Cost is determined as the fair value of the assets given as consideration plus costs incidental to acquisition. Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are recognised as assets and revenues at their fair market value at the date of acquisition and in future years will be subject to normal depreciation requirements. (i) Rental Properties The following accounting policies in relation to rental properties have been adopted. - Rental properties are revalued each year by the Department of Human Services based on capital improved values at the start of the year in accordance with advice received from an external valuer. On this basis these properties reflect valuations as at 1 July 1998. - Depreciation on the building component of these valuations is charged on a straight line basis on the estimate of average useful life of 50 years of the properties to the Department. Dwellings acquired and disposed of during the financial year have had pro rata depreciation charged. (ii) Other Properties Aged Care, Coordinated Care, Mental Health, Youth and Family, Disability and Public Health Services' land and buildings, are revalued to their market valuation every five years. The last revaluation was carried out at 30 June 1994 by the Valuer General's Office. The next revaluation will take place in 1999-2000. Depreciation on the building component of these valuations is charged on a straight line basis on the estimate of average useful life of 50 years of the properties to the Department. Dwellings acquired and disposed of during the financial year have had pro rata depreciation charged. The Director of Housing's administrative buildings are valued as at 30 June 1996 with other properties and leasehold improvements being stated at cost. Administrative buildings are depreciated at varying rates, based on their useful lives to the Department on a straight line basis. Leasehold improvements are amortised over the term of the lease on a straight line basis. (iii) Vacant Land Vacant land of the Department of Human Services acquired prior to 1 July 1997 has been valued by an external valuer as at 30 June 1997. Vacant land acquired after this date has been shown at cost. (iv) Fixed Assets Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis at varying rates, based on the estimated useful life and residual value of each asset to the Department. The depreciation rates applied to each category of fixed assets are as follows: Computers & EDP equipment 25%p.a. Furniture and Fittings 10%p.a. Machines 20%p.a. Equipment 10%p.a. (v) Land and Buildings for Disposal This item relates to surplus land and buildings which fall within the Government's Asset Sales Program. Responsibility for these assets remains with the Department until the total sale price is fully discharged. The valuation methods are based on values provided by the Valuer General's Office or estimated sale prices. (vi) Finance Lease Assets Finance leases are those which effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of leased non current assets. Where a non current asset is acquired by means of a finance lease, the asset is established at its fair value at the inception of the lease. The liability is established at the same amount. Lease payments are allocated between the principal and interest expense. The depreciation rate is 7.7 per cent.
(H) Inventories Inventories of stores and materials have been valued at the lower of cost and net realisable values.
(I) Significant Accounting Policy Changes Major changes to financial statements are: (i) Workcover recoups In 1998-99, the Department has netted off the workcover recoups against employee costs. This is consistent with the treatment endorsed by the Department of Treasury and Finance. (ii) User charges and sale of assets and Payments of revenue collected to the Consolidated Fund Fees and charges collected on behalf of Government are now treated as administered revenue and expenditure as determined by the Department of Treasury and Finance. (iii)Capital Asset Charge In 1998-99, the Department has disclosed this item separately as an expense. The Capital Asset Charge is calculated on the basis o f 8 per cent of the written down value of non-current physical assets of the Department and Public Hospitals, Ambulance Services and other Public bodies who are required to prepare their annual reports under the Financial Management Act 1994. In 1997-98 the Capital Charge was based on the provision by Government of funds for new asset investment and did not reflect in any way the prior investment in assets. In 1997-98 the expenditure on the capital charge was $50.6m, the capital asset charge for the 1998-99 year was $257.7m. (iv)Receivable- State Administered Unit (SAU) In accordance with the Department of Treasury and Finance directive, moneys not drawn down from the SAU account are recognised as receivable. These items are made up of appropriations applied for which funds have not been received from the Consolidated Fund. Previously this item included balances which were recognised as cash and short term deposits. The dissection between current and non-current receivables is based on the likely timing of payments. (v)Recognition of assets and liabilities previously classified as Administered In 1998-99 the Department has brought to account items which were previously reported as administered assets and liabilities. Consequently the net effect of this treatment of $3.18m has been treated as an adjustment to equity in accordance with Australian Accounting Standard AAS 29 'Financial Reporting by Government Departments'.
(J) Latrobe Regional Hospital The Department has a contract with Latrobe Regional Hospital Pty Ltd for the provision of public health services at the Latrobe Regional Hospital - a build, own and operate facility, for a 20 year period commencing on 1 September 1998. The amount paid in respect of the 1998-99 financial year was $52.9m. In addition to this payment the hospital provided further services under Health Service Agreements for which funds were made available based on services delivered. Under the terms of the contract the Department will provide funding based on services delivered in accordance with the agreement.
(K) Financial Instruments The Department of Human Services' accounting policies and terms and conditions of each class of financial asset or liability recognised at 30 June 1999 are as follows: Recognised Financial Note Accounting Policies Terms and Conditions Instruments
(i) Financial Assets Cash at bank, Trust 10 Cash at bank, trust funds and deposits are Cash, trust funds and deposits are made Funds and Deposits carried at their nominal values. at call and interest rates vary from 3.65% to 4.65%. Short Term Deposits 10 Cash surplus to the Department's current needs Short term deposits may vary from is invested short term with Government and overnight to sixty days, with interest Private Financial Institutions as governed by the rates governed by the market varying Borrowings and Investment Powers Act 1987. from 4.65% to 4.81%. Receivables - Tenants in 11 Tenants in arrears are carried at their nominal Rents are charged on a weekly basis Arrears value less provisions for doubtful debts. from Sunday to Saturday. Tenants are Estimated doubtful debts are based on historical required to pay one week in advance. trends of receipts of tenants who have been in arrears. Receivables- U.L.C. 11 Amounts receivable from the Urban Land Land vested with the ULC is developed Corporation (U.L.C.) are held at nominal values. and sold with the proceeds paid to the Department of Human Services. Receivables - 11 These relate to monies held on the Department's These monies may be held indefinitely Department of Treasury behalf which have not been drawn down from and accrue no interest. and Finance the Department of Treasury and Finance. Receivables - Other 11 Other receivables are carried at nominal Normal credit terms are generally 30 amounts due less any provision for doubtful days. debts. Provisions for doubtful debts are recognised when collection of the full nominal amount is no longer probable. Loans 13 Loans receivable are carried at the balance Loans receivable are generally outstanding less provisions for doubtful debt and secured by first or second mortgages. return of equity. Provisions are calculated based Loan terms are generally not for a on loan balances, valuations, arrears and a fixed term, those that are for a fixed history profile of previous loans written off. term are generally in the region of 25 to 40 years. Interest rates vary over the portfolio from 0%pa to 10%pa (ii) Financial Liabilities Bank Overdrawn in 10 That part of the Department's ledger bank which The bank overdrawn is a cash book Ledger reports a deficit, relates to timing issues entry and as such does not accrue associated with government fund flows. interest charges. Borrowings and 9 The Treasurer of Victoria granted an interest The advance is for an indefinite term Advances free advance to the Department, this advance is with repayments being determined by held at its nominal value. agreement between the Minister for Housing and the Treasurer. Tenants in advance 6 A liability is recognised for the amount of rent Rents are charged on a weekly basis clients have paid in advance under the from Sunday to Saturday. Tenants are department's tenancy agreement. required to pay one week in advance. Creditors and accruals 6 Creditors and accruals are recognised for Terms of settlement are generally 30 amounts payable in the future for goods and days from date of invoice in line with services received, whether or not the Government guidelines. Department has been billed
(L) Methods of Revenue Recognition - Rental income raised represents the sum of the market rents chargeable (as determined by an external valuer) for all properties in a tenantable condition during the financial year. - Rental income raised is calculated before allowing for rebates to tenants on social welfare benefits or low income, subsidies allowed, and income lost through vacancies caused by tenant changes, repairs and renovations. - Revenue from central heating and hot water services and water consumption, where individual meters are not in place, and parking bays, also disclosed as User Charge Services, relates to charges to tenants in flats and high-rise accommodation for the use of these utilities. - Commonwealth Specific Purpose Payments Grants are now deemed to be controlled. Miscellaneous fees and certain Commonwealth grants collected by the Department but not controlled by it are not recognised as revenues, but are reported as administered revenues in the output group schedule - revenues and expenses (note 3b). Such amounts are required to be paid to the Consolidated Fund. - Profit and loss on the sale of land and houses is accounted for on the receipt of the full deposit upon the signing of the Contract of Sale.
(M) Output Groups of the Department Output Group Objectives The DepartmentÕs main objectives relate to the delivery of the following output group services: Output Group 1: Acute Health Services To enhance health outcomes by purchasing high quality acute health services which are accessible and relevant to individual and community needs. Output Group 2: Ambulance Services To provide access to high quality, cost effective, outcome orientated patient transport services. Output Group 3: Aged Care Services To provide access to high quality health and community care services at the local community level that are responsive to the needs of older people. Output Group 4:Coordinated Care Services To ensure access to a range of high quality community health, dental health and drug treatment services which are coordinated at the local community level and are responsive to peopleÕs needs. Output Group 5: Mental Health Services To provide access to high quality services at the local community level which are accessible and responsive to the needs of people with a mental illness. Output Group 6: Public Health Services To create a healthy community where illness, injury and premature death are minimised and the public's health is protected.
Output Group 7: Disability Services To provide access to high quality services that advance the development and promote the dignity of people with intellectual, physical and/or sensory disabilities. Output Group 8: Youth and Family Services To provide access to services that support members of the community at critical life stages, particularly families and young people, and promote their health and well being and develop their capacity to function independently. Output Group 9: Concessions to Pensioners and Beneficiaries To ensure access to affordable basic services for pensioners and/or low income households. Output Group 10: Aboriginal Services To implement policies, programs and services which meet the needs of Victoria's Aboriginal communities and promote their self management.
Output Group 11: Housing Assistance To provide access to public and community-based rental housing assistance, private sector rental and home ownership assistance, appropriate to need. Note 2 Operating Revenue - Net Rent, Interest and Other Income
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 REFER 1998/99 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
(i) Net Rent Receivable 1(L)
388,008 388,008 Rental income raised 418,103 (5,306) (5,306) Rents lost through vacancy (7,204) (174,195) (174,195) Rental rebates (182,280) (3,610) (3,610) Rental subsidies - welfare organisations (3,026) 5,104 5,104 Shared home ownership scheme - rent raised 4,531 210,001 210,001 Total Net Rent Receivable 230,124
(ii) Interest Income
Home finance interest 4,307 4,307 - House purchasers 3,487 3,571 3,571 - Co-operative societies 3,469 42,195 42,195 - Mortgages 30,452 705 705 - Other 1,489
24,130 24,945 Interest on short term deposits 8,915
163 163 Other miscellaneous interest income 150 75,071 75,886 Total Interest Income 47,962
(iii) User Charges - Rental properties
3,344 3,344 Central heating/hot water charges 3,070 133 133 Parking bays 155 - - Bulk water usage 739 3,477 3,477 Total User Charges 3,964
(iv) Other Income
12,831 12,831 State trust accounts - 9,671 9,671 Commonwealth trust account 10,050 26,093 26,093 Interstate patients 17,156 11,237 12,663 Other 8,597 59,832 61,258 Total Other Income 35,803
(v) User Charges, Sale of Assets and Commonwealth Receipts
763,542 763,542 Commonwealth Receipts 762,557 14,877 14,877 User charges 1(I)(ii) - 25,255 25,255 Proceeds from sale of assets 1(I)(ii) - 803,674 803,674 762,557 (803,484) (803,484) less Payments to the Consolidated Fund 1(I)(ii) (762,557) 190 190 Total User Charges, Sale of Assets and Commonwealth Receipts - Note 3 Departmental and Administered Transactions
Administered transactions are activities which the Department administers or manages on behalf of the State of Victoria. Administered transactions give rise to revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities and are determined on an accrual basis. Administered liabilities include government expenses incurred but yet to be paid. Administered assets include government revenues earned but yet to be collected (refer Note 3a).
Departmental and administered transactions are disclosed in Note 3 (b).
Note 3(a) Administered Assets And Liabilities
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 1998/99 $000's $000's $000's
Administered Assets
3,49 7 3,49 7 Cash at bank - 5,96 6 5,96 6 Trust funds 1,29 0 1,21 0 1,21 0 Receivables 23 2 (126 ) (126 ) Less provision for doubtful debts - 117,92 6 117,92 6 Future service potential * 121,64 3 3,33 0 3,33 0 Loans 3,33 0 41 4 41 4 Public account advances - 132,21 7 132,21 7 Total Administered Assets 126,49 5
Administered Liabilities
1,23 0 1,23 0 Creditors and accruals - 117,92 6 117,92 6 Building redevelopment * 121,64 3 3,18 4 3,18 4 Payments to the Consolidated Fund 23 2 41 4 41 4 Public account advances - 9,46 3 9,46 3 Other 4,62 0 132,21 7 132,21 7 Total Administered Liabilities 126,49 5
* On behalf of the Department of Treasury and Finance, the Department of Human Services administers funding provided under a Health Service Agreement for building redevelopment at St. Vincent's Hospital, of $121.643 Million. Note 3(b) Output Group Schedule - Revenues and Expenses and Schedule of Administered Revenues and Expenses For The Year Ended 30 June 1999
Output Groups (refer Note 1(M)) Department's Revenues and Expenses 1234567891011Other *Tota $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's Revenues Net Rent Receivable ------230,124 - 230,124 Revenue collection for consolidated fund 240,341 - 141,226 - 695 48,025 77,491 35,827 - 40 218,912 - 762,557 Payments of revenue collected to the consolidated fund (240,341) - (141,226) - (695) (48,025) (77,491) (35,827) - (40) (218,912) - (762,557) Interest income 16 2 7 4 7 48 17 30 1 - 47,830 - 47,962 User Charges ------3,964 - 3,964 State Government Revenues 1,714,057 96,600 394,445 151,095 485,381 117,238 409,887 472,343 251,525 10,694 92,955 - 4,196,220 Revenues from Commonwealth Government 240,341 - 141,226 - 695 48,025 74,869 35,827 - 40 218,912 - 759,935 Special Appropriations 982,006 19,418 94,769 34,600 - - 77,235 - - - - - 1,208,028 Appropriations of other Authorities - - - 12,915 - 2,161 - 13,787 - - 50 - 28,913 Resources received free of charge 7 1 151 110 154 281 296 405 15 410 1,412 - 3,242 Other 17,132 3 11,300 171 440 (903) 3,013 1,038 - 35 3,574 - 35,803 Total 2,953,559 116,024 641,898 198,895 486,677 166,850 565,317 523,430 251,541 11,179 598,821 - 6,514,191 Expenses Employee Costs 21,855 1,079 13,445 8,779 11,887 20,524 217,146 128,902 714 3,220 38,921 - 466,472 Supplies and Services 25,156 606 8,366 4,998 11,905 14,947 49,509 49,932 488 1,446 26,260 - 193,613 Depreciation and Amortisation 1,839 31 746 488 3,732 845 5,380 6,510 28 180 72,582 - 92,361 Rental Operating Costs ------143,733 - 143,733 Services provided by External Agencies 2,695,366 100,069 570,639 176,624 394,173 127,198 259,863 303,990 250,309 5,411 34,708 (2,296) 4,916,054 Capital Asset Charge 173,721 5,095 28,326 3,931 31,487 724 9,958 4,439 2 46 - - 257,729 Home Finance Operating Costs ------334 - 334 Financing costs (including payment to Dept. Treasury & Finance) ------67,482 - 67,482 Resources provided free of charge ------2,375 46,819 49,194 Other ------6,597 - 6,597 Total 2,917,937 106,880 621,522 194,820 453,184 164,238 541,856 493,773 251,541 10,303 392,992 44,523 6,193,569 Output Operating Result 35,622 9,144 20,376 4,075 33,493 2,612 23,461 29,657 - 876 205,829 (44,523) 320,622 Net Revenues from changes in Administrative Arrangements ------485 485 Net Revenues/(Cost) from Disposal of Non-Current Assets ------297 (5,065) (4,768) Output Change in Net Assets 35,622 9,144 20,376 4,075 33,493 2,612 23,461 29,657 - 876 206,126 (49,103) 316,339
Administered Revenues and Expenses Administered Revenues For Transfer to External Parties 140 - 81 4,684 40 352 41 161 1,599 - - - 7,098 Miscellaneous 20,326 7 271 280 321 2,564 9,346 2,632 2 22 - - 35,771 Commonwealth Grants 1,365,932 - - - - 1,857 - 375 37,764 - - - 1,405,928 Total 1,386,398 7 352 4,964 361 4,773 9,387 3,168 39,365 22 - - 1,448,797 Administered Expenses Transfer payments 140 - 81 4,684 40 352 41 161 1,599 - - - 7,098 Payments to Consolidated Fund 1,386,258 7 271 280 321 4,421 9,346 3,007 37,766 22 - - 1,441,699 Total 1,386,398 7 352 4,964 361 4,773 9,387 3,168 39,365 22 - - 1,448,797 Administered Revenue - Administered Expenses ------* Represents transfer of assets to Department of Treasury and Finance for disposal (refer note 8(i)) Note 3(b) Output Group Schedule - Revenues and Expenses and Schedule of Administered Revenues and Expenses for the Year Ended 30 June 1998
Output Groups (refer Note 1(M)) Department's Revenues and Expenses 1234567891011Total $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's $000's Revenues Net Rent Receivable ------210,001 210,001 Revenue collection for consolidated fund 230,821 69 135,239 3,300 15,133 58,214 86,488 52,820 126 371 221,093 803,674 Payments of revenue collected to the consolidated fund (230,821) (69) (135,239) (3,300) (15,131) (58,214) (86,308) (52,812) (126) (371) (221,093) (803,484) Interest income 3 - 2 1 5 4 50 40 - 1 74,965 75,071 User Charges ------3,477 3,477 State Government Revenues 2,451,820 95,313 515,614 155,861 430,362 151,987 508,682 485,669 244,828 9,134 100,843 5,150,113 Revenues from Commonwealth Government ------221,093 221,093 Appropriations of other Authorities - - - 19,135 - 2,053 - 16,566 - - - 37,754 Resources received free of charge 3,125 5 125 341 2,344 - 279 248 - - 826 7,293 Other 36,336 10 9,897 18 96 185 827 1,324 9 61 11,069 59,832 Total 2,491,284 95,328 525,638 175,356 432,809 154,229 510,018 503,855 244,837 9,196 622,274 5,764,824 Expenses Employee Costs 16,997 710 11,106 7,294 23,698 18,747 215,682 140,792 647 4,418 39,695 479,786 Supplies and Services 9,650 280 4,884 2,993 14,156 9,191 42,903 49,383 523 148 23,722 157,833 Depreciation and Amortisation 763 21 463 387 4,956 3,292 6,318 5,602 19 1 71,140 92,962 Rental Operating Costs ------131,028 131,028 Services provided by External Agencies 2,435,654 94,529 501,906 157,401 358,228 128,053 232,878 290,961 262,465 3,314 36,020 4,501,409 Capital Asset Charge 20,320 1,093 5,868 1,661 8,545 1,823 4,550 5,530 - 1,224 50,614 Home Finance Operating Costs ------5,551 5,551 Financing costs (including payment to Dept. Treasury & Finance) ------67,507 67,507 Interest Expense ------1,690 1,690 Resources provided free of charge 5,022 4 73 1,366 1,543 136 1,037 3,542 4 11 - 12,738 Other ------1,650 1,650 Total 2,488,406 96,637 524,300 171,102 411,126 161,242 503,368 495,810 263,658 9,116 378,003 5,502,768 Output Operating Result 2,878 (1,309) 1,338 4,254 21,683 (7,013) 6,650 8,045 (18,821) 8 0 244,271 262,056 Net Revenues/(Cost) from Disposal of Non-Current Assets (2,176) (91) (1,541) (873) (2,684) (2,881) (6,759) (13,645) (154) (442) 5,226 (26,020) Extraordinary Item ------1,086,776 1,086,776 Output Change in Net Assets 7 0 2 (1,400) (203) 3,381 18,999 (9,894) (109) (5,600) (18,975) (362) 1,336,273 1,322,812
Administered Revenues and Expenses Administered Revenues For Transfer to External Parties - - - - - 1,945 - - - - - 1,945 Miscellaneous 364 4 206 168 240 261 870 792 23 10 - 2,938 Commonwealth Grants 1,302,619 - 133,495 21,552 12,302 55,526 67,430 57,738 36,275 - - 1,686,937 Total 1,302,983 4 133,701 21,720 12,542 57,732 68,300 58,530 36,298 1 0 - 1,691,820 Administered Expenses Transfer payments - - - - - 1,945 - - - - - 1,945 Payments to Consolidated Fund 1,302,983 4 133,701 21,720 12,542 55,787 68,300 58,530 36,298 10 - 1,689,875 Total 1,302,983 4 133,701 21,720 12,542 57,732 68,300 58,530 36,298 1 0 - 1,691,820 Administered Revenue - Administered Expenses ------Note 4(i) Appropriations from Other Authorities
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 REFER 1998/99 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
- - Department of Justice - Home finance operating costs 50 Department of Premier and Cabinet - Provision of services under 37,754 37,754 the Community Support Program 28,863
37,754 37,754 Total Appropriations from Other Authorities 28,913
Note 4(ii) Resources Received Free of Charge
Department of Treasury and Finance 175 175 Supplies and Services 428 1,239 1,239 Assets 1,768 5,210 5,210 North Western Health Care Unit - Assets - 669 669 Local Government and Community Housing Bodies - Assets 1,026 - - Other Assets received free of charge 20 7,293 7,293 Total Resources Received Free of Charge 3,242
Note 5 Financing including Housing debt assumption costs
67,505 67,505 Payments to Treasury in relation to assumption of housing debt 17(D) 67,482 2 2 Financing cost - 67,507 67,507 Total Financing Costs 67,482
Note 6 Creditors and Accruals
20,432 20,432 Employee costs 7,530 7,849 7,850 Supplies and services 10,571 26,039 26,039 Other 19,923 28,146 28,146 Services provided by external agencies 52,247 - - Capital Asset Charge 21,477 18,920 18,920 Concessional payments to pensioners etc. 12,700 7,078 7,078 Tenants in advance 6,980 18 1 8 Security deposits and trust monies 2 3 108,482 108,483 Total Creditors and Accruals 131,451
Payable 107,569 107,570 Within one year - current liability 120,553 913 913 Over one year - non-current liability 10,898 108,482 108,483 Total Creditors and Accruals 131,451 Note 7 Provision for Employee Entitlements
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 REFER 1998/99 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
80,281 80,281 Long service leave 78,280 24,814 24,814 Annual leave 27,770 78,247 78,247 Superannuation 1(F) 75,393 183,342 183,342 Total Provisions 181,443
35,962 35,962 Within one year - current liability 41,957 147,380 147,380 Over one year - non-current liability 139,486 183,342 183,342 Total Provisions 181,443
Note 8(i) Resources Provided Free of Charge
Department of Treasury and Finance 11,378 11,378 Land and buildings 46,819 External Agencies - - Land and buildings 2,375 1,360 1,360 Plant, furniture and equipment -
12,738 12,738 Total Resources Provided Free of Charge 49,194 Note 8(ii) Services Provided By External Agencies
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 1998/99 $000's $000's $000's
4,501,40 9 4,501,40 9 Public hospitals, and non-government organisations 4,916,05 4
4,501,40 9 4,501,40 9 Total Services Provided by External Agencies 4,916,05 4
These expenses are funded by monies that the Department controls and relate to the purchase of health, community services and community housing services. The details of public bodies which received payments in excess of $5 million are detailed below.
1998/99 $000's Health Agencies including public hospitals for the provision of acute care service, aged care, mental health and community health services. Public Hospitals * 3,035,56 9 Denominational Hospitals** 252,42 4 Other Public Hospitals and Agencies 341,48 8 3,629,48 1 Ambulance services Ambulance Services Victoria 58,36 0 Rural Ambulance Services 36,81 0 Other 4,90 0 100,070 Home and Community Care Program - Local Government and other agencies 207,32 2 Public health services Health Promotion Foundation 24,08 1 Other Agencies 103,11 7 127,19 8 Non Government organizations for the provision of services to people with disabilities. 259,86 3 Non government organizations for the provision of services to youth and family services. 303,99 0 Concessions to pensioners and beneficiaries Public Transport Corporation 53,20 4 Yarra Valley Water 22,98 6 South East Water 21,17 4 City West Water 13,79 7 Local Government 51,22 9 Other Agencies 87,91 7 250,30 7 Community housing services. 32,41 2 Aboriginal Services 5,41 1 Total 4,916,054
Public Hospitals * $000's $000's Inner & Eastern Health Care Network 589,11 6 Colac Community Health Service 11,83 2 North Western Health Care Network 583,53 9 Portland & District Hospital 10,85 4 Southern Health Care Network 386,49 3 Mt Alexander Hospital 10,41 1 Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre 247,32 6 Wonthaggi & District Hospital 9,91 6 Women's & Children's Health Care Network 203,30 8 Gippsland Southern Health Service 9,42 5 Barwon Health 143,97 7 Benalla & District Memorial Hospital 9,25 6 Peninsula Health Care Network 130,53 5 West Wimmera Health Service 7,84 5 Bendigo Health Care Group 98,47 8 East Grampians Health Service 7,38 9 Ballarat Health Services 98,17 3 Stawell District Hospital 7,24 2 Goulburn Valley Health 56,15 4 Kyabram & District Memorial Community Hospital 7,13 5 Dental Health Services Victoria 50,20 6 Maryborough District Health Service 8,07 5 South West Healthcare 44,95 2 Djerriwarrh Health Service 6,97 5 Wangaratta District Base Hospital 37,17 0 Alpine Health 6,84 3 Mildura Base Hospital 35,91 0 Beechworth Hospital 5,95 1 Wodonga Regional Health Service 32,50 2 East Wimmera Health Service 5,60 0 Latrobe Regional Hospital 24,84 3 3,035,569 West Gippsland Health Care Group 23,41 5 Central Gippsland Health Service 23,83 4 Denominational Hospitals ** $000's Wimmera Health Care Group 20,22 8 Bairnsdale Regional Health Service 19,68 5 St Vincent's Hospital (Melbourne) Ltd 159,96 2 Western District Health Service 17,91 4 Mercy Hospitals Inc 71,63 0 Victorian Institute Of Forensic Mental Health 14,83 0 Bethlehem Hospital Inc 12,53 9 Echuca Regional Health 14,34 5 Caritas Christi Hospice 8,29 3 Swan Hill District Hospital 13,88 7 252,424 Note 9 Advances
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1998 1998 REFER 1999 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
525,65 1 525,65 1 State Government advance 399,65 1 525,65 1 525,65 1 Total Advances 399,651
Repayable
100,00 0 100,00 0 Within one year - current liability 65,000
161,32 7 161,32 7 1 to less than 2 years 89,88 0 224,25 7 224,25 7 2 to less than 5 years 223,76 0 40,06 7 40,06 7 Over 5 years 21,01 1 425,65 1 425,65 1 Total non-current liabilities 334,651
525,65 1 525,65 1 Total Advances 399,651
Note 10 Cash and Short Term Deposits
For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash includes cash on hand and in banks and investments in money market instruments. Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the statement of cash flows is reconciled to the related items in the Statement of Financial Position as follows:
175,96 1 194,18 4 Short term deposits 46,59 6 1,10 2 1,59 1 Banks 27 2 65,71 9 65,71 9 Trust accounts 1(I)(iv) 23,67 9 1,06 2 1,06 2 Cash advances to sub-offices 1,22 8 243,84 4 262,55 6 Cash and Short Term Deposits 71,77 5
(20,924 ) (20,924 ) Bank Overdraft (18,372 ) 222,92 0 241,63 2 Net Cash and Short Term Deposits 53,40 3
Note 11 Receivables
6,44 8 6,44 8 Tenants in arrears 7,14 6 2,84 5 2,84 5 Urban Land Corporation 2,19 3 - - Department of Treasury and Finance 1(I)(iv) 189,11 6 61,43 8 61,51 4 Others 58,29 6 70,73 1 70,80 7 256,751
Less Provision for Doubtful Debts 14 4,30 3 4,30 3 Tenants in arrears 4,46 1 2 4 2 4 Others 17 8 4,32 7 4,327 4,639
66,40 4 66,48 0 Net realisable value 252,112
66,19 6 66,27 2 Due within 12 months - current assets 207,79 3 20 8 20 8 Due later - non-current assets 44,31 9 66,40 4 66,48 0 Total Receivables 252,112 NOTE 12 Financial Instruments
The Department's accounting policies and terms and conditions for its financial instruments are contained in Note 1 (K). The carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities contained within these financial statements is representative of the Net Fair Value of each financial asset or liability, due to either the short term nature of the financial asset or liability or legal terms of any contracts that are attached to the asset or liability.
Weighted Floating Fixed Interest Rate Maturing In Non Average Financial Instruments as at Interest 1 Year 1 to 5 Over 5 Interest Total Effective 30 June 1999 Rate or Less Years Years Bearing Interest Rate $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 %
Financial Assets Cash at Bank, Trust Funds and Deposit 1,50 0 - - - 23,67 9 25,17 9 4.7% Short Term Deposits 1,52 8 45,06 8 - - - 46,59 6 4.7% Receivables - Tenants in Arrears - - - - 2,68 5 2,68 5 0.0% Receivables - U.L.C. - - - - 2,19 3 2,19 3 0.0% Receivables - Department of Treasury - - - - 189,11 6 189,11 6 0.0% Receivables - Other - - - - 58,11 8 58,11 8 0.0% Loans - House and Land Purchasers 17,25 5 4 1 1,55 5 32,59 2 48 0 51,92 3 5.7% Loans - Co-Operative Societies 64,87 5 - - - - 64,87 5 4.8% Loans - Mortgage Loans 183,94 3 87,00 9 91,09 6 21,84 9 - 383,89 7 5.9% Loans - Sweat Equity Schemes 5,95 8 - - - 83 3 6,79 1 4.0% Loans - Mortgage and Interest Relief 32 0 - - - 38 1 70 1 2.2% Loans - Community Housing Loans 16,01 4 - 4,18 9 - - 20,20 3 7.1% Loans - Other Loans 16 8 3 6 - 2,83 5 - 3,03 9 4.0% Total Financial Assets 291,56 1 132,15 4 96,84 0 57,27 6 277,48 5 855,31 6 4.0%
Financial Liabilities Bank Overdrafts 18,37 2 - - - - 18,37 2 4.7% Advances - - - - 399,65 1 399,65 1 0.0% Finance leases - - - - 12,01 5 12,01 5 9.1% Tenants in advance - - - - 6,98 0 6,98 0 0.0% Creditors and accruals - - - - 124,47 1 124,47 1 0.0% Total Financial Liabilities 18,37 2 - - - 543,11 7 561,48 9 0.4%
Weighted Floating Fixed Interest Rate Maturing In Non Average Financial Instruments as at Interest 1 Year 1 to 5 Over 5 Interest Total Effective 30 June 1998 Rate or Less Years Years Bearing Interest Rate $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 %
Financial Assets Cash at Bank, Trust Funds and Deposit 5,69 8 - - - 62,18 5 67,88 3 5.0% Short Term Deposits - 175,96 1 - - - 175,96 1 5.2% Receivables - Tenants in Arrears - - - - 2,14 5 2,14 5 0.0% Receivables - U.L.C. - - - - 2,84 5 2,84 5 0.0% Receivables - Other - - - - 61,41 4 61,41 4 0.0% Loans - House and Land Purchasers 59,83 4 4 1 3,54 2 3 7 - 63,45 4 5.8% Loans - Co-Operative Societies 77,71 3 - - - - 77,71 3 4.6% Loans - Mortgage Loans 488,65 1 3 21 0 22 9 - 489,09 3 7.2% Loans - Sweat Equity Schemes 6,44 9 - - - 3,43 3 9,88 2 2.8% Loans - Mortgage and Interest Relief 39 0 - - - 48 8 87 8 2.1% Loans - Community Housing Loans 15,93 3 - 4,26 9 - - 20,20 2 7.3% Loans - Other Loans 26 9 1 8 86 0 2,73 1 - 3,87 8 5.9% Total Financial Assets 654,93 7 176,02 3 8,88 1 2,99 7 132,51 0 975,34 8 5.8%
Financial Liabilities Bank Overdrafts 20,92 4 - - - - 20,92 4 5.0% Advances - - - - 525,65 1 525,65 1 0.0% Finance leases - - - - 12,58 7 12,58 7 9.3% Tenants in advance - - - - 7,07 8 7,07 8 0.0% Creditors and accruals - - - - 101,40 4 101,40 4 0.0% Total Financial Liabilities 20,92 4 - - - 646,72 0 667,64 4 0.3%
The Department's maximum exposure to credit risk as at 30 June 1998 and 1999 in relation to each class of recognised financial asset is the carrying amount of those assets as indicated in the Statement of Financial Position. The department's credit risk is minimised in relation to receivables of Tenants in arrears, U.L.C., and other due to transacting with large numbers of individuals or companies mainly within Victoria. The credit risk of the department in regard to loans is minimized by obtaining sufficient security over properties as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. Note 13 Loans
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1998 1998 REFER 1998 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
63,554 63,554 House and land purchasers 52,011 77,713 77,713 Co-operative societies 64,875 503,829 503,829 Mortgage loans 394,734 9,882 9,882 Sweat equity schemes 6,791 1,076 1,076 Mortgage and interest relief 894 20,202 20,202 Community housing loans 20,203 3,878 3,878 Other loans 3,039 680,134 680,134 542,547
Less Provision for Return Of Equity 2,056 2,056 Mortgage loans 2,182
Less Provision for Doubtful Debts 14 12,680 12,680 Mortgage loans 8,655 198 198 Mortgage and interest relief 193 100 100 House and land purchasers 8 8 12,978 12,978 8,936
665,100 665,100 Net Realisable Value 531,429
92,546 92,546 Due within 12 months - current assets 97,369 572,554 572,554 Due later - non-current assets 434,060 665,100 665,100 Total Loans 531,429
Note 14 Provision for Doubtful Debts
Debtors 11 4,303 4,303 Tenants 4,461 24 24 Other 178 4,327 4,327 4,639
Loans 13 12,680 12,680 Mortgage loans 8,655 198 198 Mortgage and interest relief 193 100 100 House and land purchases 8 8 12,978 12,978 8,936
17,305 17,305 Total Provision for Doubtful Debts 13,575 Note 15 Properties and Fixed Assets
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1998 1998 1999 $000's $000's $000's
Rental Properties 222,058 222,058 Land and dwellings at cost 406,262 5,349,849 5,349,849 Land and dwellings at 1998 valuation 5,650,219 163,075 163,075 Work-in-progress 181,978 (67,269) (67,269) Accumulated depreciation on buildings (69,235) (3,385) (3,385) Provision for SHOS equity conversion (3,617) 5,664,328 5,664,328 Total Rental Properties 6,165,607 Other Properties 2,587 2,587 Vacant land at cost 14,561 59,539 59,539 Vacant land at 1998 valuation 64,181 3,809 3,809 Home finance - special housing land 4,380 65,935 65,935 83,122
Regional offices 5,765 5,765 - at 1996 valuation 5,928 11,933 11,933 Leasehold improvements 11,427 (3,612) (3,612) Accumulated depreciation (3,910) 14,086 14,086 13,445
Health & Community Services 108,489 108,489 Land at 1994 valuation 91,693 17,873 17,873 Land at cost 21,721 173,446 173,446 Buildings at 1994 valuation 141,546 75,955 75,955 Buildings at cost 99,514 17,641 17,641 Work-in-progress 34,500 4,851 4,851 Leasehold improvements 8,345 (25,760) (25,760) Accumulated depreciation (28,552) 372,495 372,495 368,767
3,350 3,350 Properties for disposal - 455,866 455,866 Total Other Properties 465,334 Fixed Assets 116,992 116,992 Plant, furniture and equipment 127,792 3,401 3,401 Motor vehicles 3,794 (69,174) (69,174) Accumulated depreciation (78,033) 51,219 51,219 Sub-Total Fixed Assets 53,553
13,620 13,620 Finance lease assets 13,620 (1,033) (1,033) Accumulated amortisation finance lease assets (1,921) 12,587 12,587 Sub-Total Financial Lease Assets 11,699 63,806 63,806 Total Fixed Assets 65,252
6,184,000 6,184,000 Total Net Written Down Value 6,696,193
Depreciation and Amortisation Schedule
67,590 67,590 Rental properties 69,752 148 148 Regional offices 581 6,750 6,750 Health & Community Services 8,550 18,474 18,541 Fixed assets 12,590 - - Finance lease assets 888 92,962 93,029 Total Depreciation and Amortisation 92,361 Note 16 Commitments
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1998 1998 1999 $000's $000's $000's
(a) Capital Commitments
142,298 142,298 Commitments on contracts for capital expenditure outstanding at year end. 98,557
(b) Leases
Material Operating Lease Expenses included in Operating Statement 19,797 19,797 Administrative accommodation 17,963 495 495 Public rental properties 4,151 4,450 4,450 Equipment 5,890 24,742 24,742 Total Material Operating Lease Expenses included in Operating Statement 28,004
Operating lease commitments outstanding at year end 24,029 24,029 Within 1 year 27,300 20,294 20,294 Between 1 and 2 years 23,525 48,237 48,237 Between 2 and 5 years 54,635 19,210 19,210 Greater than 5 years 20,834 111,770 111,770 Total Operating lease commitments outstanding at year end 126,294
Finance lease commitments outstanding at year end 1,902 1,902 Within 1 year 1,745 - - Between 1 and 2 years - 3,790 3,790 Between 2 and 5 years 4,910 6,895 6,895 Greater than 5 years 5,360 12,587 12,587 Total Finance lease commitments outstanding at year end 12,015
Note 17 Contingent Liabilities
(A) Pending clarification of the requirement for hospitals to meet superannuation payments under the Superannuation Guarantee legislation for doctors on a fee for services basis, a contingent liability of $6 million as at 30 June 1999 is recognized.
(B) The Department of Human Services has estimated that a potential liability of $12 million exists in respect of a number of legal actions instigated by and their representatives, employees and others. This includes approximately $10 million being the actuarial assessed shortfall between incurred cl medical malpractice and industrial special risks and the reserves available in the managed fund insurance program with the Victorian Managed Insu Authority. The Department may be required to contribute an additional premium of 20% of the outstanding amount on 5 July 2000 based on claims experience at 31 March 2000.
(C) The Director of Housing has executed indemnities to Co-operative Housing Societies incorporated under the Co-operative Housing Societies Act 19 respect of capital indexed loans. Balances of loans outstanding at 30 June 1999 totalled $49.5 million. Advances made to the Mortgagor on any pa property do not in any instance exceed 95% of the property valuation at the time of purchase. The Mortgagor's (Co-operative Housing Society) loss by this indemnity is limited to the net loss incurred by the Mortgagor in the event of a mortgaged property being realised to satisfy a mortgage debt
(D) By way of deed dated 12 June 1998 between the Director of Housing, the Treasurer of Victoria and Treasury Corporation of Victoria, the Treasurer a to assume the borrowings of the Director of Housing as at 1 July 1997. Under the deed the Director of Housing is required to make a payment each a financing cost) of an amount that is determined by the Treasurer in consultation with the Director and Minister for Housing, which does not excee total of principle and interest payments (scheduled repayments), in regard to the rental housing borrowings, that the Director would have been requ pay if those borrowings had been left to run their full term. The maximum payable during the next 12 months is $67.5 million. Note 18 Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities to Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations Before Extraordinary Items
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 1998/99 $000's $000's $000's
236,036 236,291 Change in net assets resulting from operations before extraordinary items 316,339
175 175 Expenditure funded by resources received free of charge 4 2 8 23,774 23,777 Loss (gain) on sale of non-current assets 3,254 - - Revenues from change in administrative arrangements (485) 94,520 94,587 Depreciation, amortisation and adjustments 94,469 (7,293) (7,293) Resources received free of charge (804) 570 570 Decrease in provisions expensed 1,225 12,738 12,738 Resources provided free of charge 47,241 5,315 5,315 Increase in doubtful/bad debts expensed 637 365,835 366,160 Cash Operating Result 462,304
(17,216) (16,959) (Increase)/decrease in receivables (187,626) 13,853 14,141 Increase/(decrease) in creditors 26,586 (8,470) (8,493) Increase/(decrease) in provisions (2,383) 198 3 7 (Increase)/decrease in inventories (70) 11,634 11,563 (Increase)/decrease in prepaid expenses 1,150 (796) (796) Increase /(decrease) in interest payable - (2,919) (2,919) Amortisation of mortgage acquisition discount -
362,119 362,734 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 299,961
Note 19 Transactions With Related Entities
During the 1997-98 and 1998-99 financial years, the transactions undertaken with other State Government controlled entities, are as follows:
Intra Inter Intra Inter 1997/98 1997/98 1998/99 1998/99 $000's $000's $000's $000's
- 525,651 Liabilities 22,982 429,347 - 1,142,100 Revenues 42 33,488 2,998,136 280,730 Expenses 3,280,977 548,210 - 5,146,960 Appropriations and other government revenue 657 5,404,297
'Intra' transactions are between entities within the Department of Human Services portfolio. 'Inter' transactions are with entities outside the Department of Human Services portfolio but controlled by the Victorian Government.
Note 20 Auditors Remuneration
320 320 Amounts paid or due and payable to Auditors for auditing services. 3 1 2 Note 21 Variances of Appropriation Against Original Budget (To be read in conjunction with the Summary of Compliance with Financial Directives.)
(a) The additional allocations received in 1998/99 reflect mainly: - the onpassing of funding following the signing of the Hospital Services Arrangement with the Department of Veteran Affairs in December 1998 and increased funds available under existing Commonwealth funded programs, in particular the Specialist Drugs Program, the Older Persons' Influenza Immunisation Program and the Commonwealth/State Disability Agreement - the provision of additional funding from Treasury to meet the cost of Y2K remediation, wage award variations handed down after the Budget, costs associated with closure of the former public hospital "Latrobe Regional Hospital" and the operating costs of the Infrastructure Unit of the Department.
(b) The additional allocations received in 1998/99 reflect the onpassing of revenue from the sale of assets.
(c) The level of receipts under the Gaming Machine Control Act No. 53 of 1991 and from other forms of betting were $62M higher than estimated. The additional funds available from these sources were used to meet costs associated with the award increases, compensation for decline in private patient revenue and a number of other projects. In addition the Annual Appropriation was reduced by some $7.6M. The State received $87.3M in additional funding upon the signing of the Australian Health Care Agreement in July 1998. The funds were made available to the Department under Section 10 of the Financial Management Act and provided to health agencies for equipment purchases, quality access and research.
Note 22 Variances of Expenditure Against Final Appropriation
The under budget expenditure mainly reflects slower than anticipated progress on some major infrastructure initiatives of the Department: - RAPID information system - the project has proceeded at a substantially slower pace than anticipated, partly due to resources shortages due to competition with Y2K demands: - Ambulance Services redevelopment - Rural ambulance services were amalgamated in April 1999 into one reporting entity and some of the costs of centralising administration services and restructuring of the senior management will not be incurred until 1999/2000. The ambulance services information system development is anticipated to be completed by the end of 1999. - Privatisation of Nursing Home and Hostel Beds - the Department has initiated the contracting out of 750 public nursing home and hostel beds to the private sector and it is anticipated that the project will not be completed until late in 1999/2000. - Redevelopment of Pleasant Creek Youth Training Centre - the Department has been managing the transfer of clients from the Pleasant Creek Centre with a view to full closure in 1999/2000.
In addition, underexpenditure of some $17.4M on Commonwealth funded programs eg. the Specialist Drugs Program, mainly reflects timing differences between the receipt of funds from the Commonwealth and expenditure by hospitals and the Department. The Department also estimated during the framing of the 1999/2000 budget that it would not fully achieve its output targets for 1998/99 and $8M has been carried forward to meets its targets in the 1999/2000 year. In 1998/1999 the Department reserved $52M to meet the impact of the change in the recreation leave provision and long service leave provision for the Department and in the long service leave provision for reporting agencies eg. hospitals and ambulance services. The full impact of the change in the long service leave provision is approximately $18M resulting in savings of $34M.
Note 23 Superannuation Schemes - Liability and Contributions
The Department has no liability to fund the emerging costs (that is, pension costs) of existing and new staff and therefore does not report a liability for existing staff in the Statement of Financial Position. In line with government policy, the unfunded superannuation liability is reflected in the Financial Statements of the Department of Treasury and Finance. The Department of Human Services does reports a liability for unfunded superannuation in respect of former employees of the Director of Housing for the shortfall of superannuation benefits paid to certain former housing staff (refer Note1F(i)). Superannuation contributions for existing staff for the reporting period are included as part of employee costs in the Operating Statement of the Department of Human Services. Details of major Employee Superannuation funds and contributions made by the Department are as follows: 1998/99 1997/98 $000's $000's State Superannuation Funds 33,722 31,428 Health Super Fund 295 132 34,017 31,560 The basis for contributions are determined by the various schemes and also relate to salary sacrifice arrangements. The requirements of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 are fully complied with. The Department makes contributions to a number of complying superannuation funds in accordance with the employment conditions for executive officers. Note 24 Net Revenues from Disposal of Non-Current Assets
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 1998/99 $000's $000's $000's
Revenues from Disposal of Non-Current Assets 4,264 4,264 Sale of land via ULC 857 14,278 14,278 Sale of land 7,193 43,855 43,855 Sale of houses 30,135 10,671 10,671 Shared home ownership scheme - sale income 12,948 2,144 2,144 Special housing land sales proceeds 1,184 6,658 6,658 Sale of motor vehicles - 1,928 1,928 Sale of miscellaneous assets 3 83,798 83,798 Total Revenues from Disposal of Non-Current Assets 52,320 Less Value of Non-Current Assets on Disposal 3,803 3,803 ULC land sales 830 12,209 12,209 Land 8,097 41,080 41,080 Houses 28,285 11,161 11,161 Shared home ownership scheme - cost of sales 13,045 2,133 2,133 Special housing cost of land sold 1,350 6,655 6,655 Motor vehicles - 32,777 32,780 Miscellaneous assets 5,481 109,818 109,821 Total Value of Non-Current Assets on Disposal 57,088
(26,020) (26,023) Net Revenues/(Costs) on Disposal of Non-Current Assets (4,768)
Note 25 Remuneration of Executive Officers
The number of executive officers, other than Ministers and accountable officers, and their total remuneration during the reporting period is shown in the first two columns in the table below in their relative income bands. The base remuneration of executive officers is shown in the third and fourth columns. Base remuneration is amounts paid or payable to executive officers for services performed by the officer during the reporting period pursuant with the terms of their employment contract but excludes bonuses, redundancy payments, long service leave and retirement benefits. Several factors have affected total remuneration payable to executives over the year; a number of contracts were completed during the year and renegotiated and a number of executives received bonus payments accrued over the period of their 5 year contract term and upon expiry of the contract.
Remuneration Total Remuneration Base Remuneration 1999 1998 1999 1998 Under $100,000 43 48 58 63 $100,000 - 109,999 23 17 23 30 $110,000 - 119,999 14 11 19 15 $120,000 - 129,999 16 12 15 9 $130,000 - 139,999 13 14 7 10 $140,000 - 149,999 5764 $150,000 - 159,999 7421 $160,000 - 169,999 6412 $170,000 - 179,999 4353 $180,000 - 189,999 3 2 $190,000 - 199,999 4 $200,000 - 209,999 2 $210,000 - 219,999 1 1 $220,000 - 229,999 2 $230,000 - 239,999 1 $240,000 - 249,999 3 $270,000 - 279,999 1 $290,000 - 299,999 1 $320,000 - 329,999 1 Total 136 137 136 137 Total Remuneration $15,569,696 $16,989,344 $14,061,430 $14,047,672 Note 26 Disclosures Relating to Ministers and Accountable Officers
In accordance with the Directions of the Minister for Finance under the Financial Management Act 1994 the following director related disclosures are made for the Responsible Ministers and the Accountable Officers.
(1) Persons who held the above positions in relation to the Department at any time during the reporting period are:
Responsible Ministers
The Hon. Rob Knowles MLC (1/7/98 - 30/6/99) Minister for Health & Aged Care The Hon. Ann Henderson MLA (1/7/98 - 30/6/99) Minister for Housing & Aboriginal Affairs The Hon. Denis Napthine MLA (1/7/98 - 30/6/99) Minister for Youth & Community Services
Accountable Officers
Warren McCann (1/7/98 - 30/6/99) Secretary Department of Human Services Alan Clayton (1/7/98 - 3/7/98) Acting Secretary, Department of Human Services (24/9/98 - 25/9/98) (9/11/98 - 13/11/98) Barry Nicholls (7/6/99 - 11/6/99) Acting Secretary, Department of Human Services Howard Ronaldson (1/1/99 - 15/1/99) Acting Secretary, Department of Human Services (1/7/98 - 30/6/99) Director of Housing under the Housing Act Angela Jurjevic (23/12/98 -31/12/98) Acting Secretary, Department of Human Services (1/7/98 - 12/7/98) Acting Director of Housing under the Housing Act (28/9/98 - 19/10/98) (29/11/98 - 15/12/98) (24/12/98 - 10/1/99) (29/3/99 - 16/4/99) Roger Hudson (18/9/98 - 24/9/98) Acting Director of Housing under the Housing Act (11/1/99 - 15/1/99) (30/6/99)
(2) Remuneration received by the Accountable Officers in connection with the management of the Department during the reporting period was in the range:
Remuneration Total Remuneration Base Remuneration 1999 1998 1999 1998 $160,000 - 169,999 1 1 $180,000 - 189,999 1 $220,000 - 229,999 1 $230,000 - 239,999 1 1 $240,000 - 249,999 1 $340,000 - 349,999 1 Total 2 2 2 2
Total Remuneration $525,739 $480,552 $401,140 $390,346
Base remuneration is exclusive of bonus payments, long service and recreation leave cash out in accordance with the Executive Officer contract, redundancy and retirement payments. Total remuneration includes bonus payments accrued over the term of their 5 year contract and paid upon expiry of the contract.
The relevant amounts relating to Ministers are reported separately in the Financial Statements of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Amounts relating to the Acting Accountable Officers are included in 'Executive Officers Remunerations'.
(3) Other related party transactions requiring disclosure under the Directions of the Minister for Finance have been considered and there are no matters to report. Note 27 Equity
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 REFER 1998/99 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
Asset Revaluation Reserve
1,784,508 1,787,145 Opening balance 2,012,032
(1,921) (1,921) Land revaluation 3,958 6,126 6,126 SHOS properties asset revaluation 7,241 234,762 234,762 Revaluation of rental/commercial properties 195,906 (11,443) (11,443) Revaluation adjustment for demolished rental properties (22,706)
2,012,032 2,014,669 Closing balance 2,196,431
General Reserve
- 3,614 Opening balance -
- 3,614 Closing balance -
Home Finance Capital Support Account Reserve
120,350 120,350 Opening balance -
(120,350) (120,350) Transfer from home finance capital support account to retained surplus -
- - Closing balance -
Retained Surplus
2,867,084 2,871,482 Opening balance 4,310,246
- - Adjustment for prior year assets and accumulated depreciation (5,862) - - Net-adjustment for prior year revenue and investment previously not recognized 1,078 1,322,812 1,330,950 Change in Net Assets from Operations after Extraordinary Items 316,339 - - Adjustment due to change in accounting policy 1(I)(v) 3,180 120,350 120,350 Transfer from home finance capital support account to retained surplus -
4,310,246 4,322,782 Closing balance 4,624,981 Note 28 Extraordinary Items
Total Consolidated Total Department Entity Department 1997/98 1997/98 REFER 1998/99 $000's $000's NOTE $000's
Extraordinary Items
Income
By way of deed dated 12 June 1998 between the Director of Housing, the Treasurer of Victoria and Treasury Corporation of Victoria, the Treasurer agreed to assume the borrowings of the Director of Housing 1,086,77 6 1,086,77 6 as at 1 July 1997. 17(D) -
- 9,34 4 Profit on sale of business by HealthIt Limited -
Expense
- (1,461 ) Loss on sale of non-current assets by HealthIt Limited. -
1,086,77 6 1,094,65 9 Total Extraordinary Items -
Note 29 Net Revenues from Change in Administrative Arrangements
The net revenues from the restructure of the Department are explained as follows.
$0.485 million arises from the mainstreaming of the Department's Forensic Unit into the newly formed Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine from 1 July 1998, consisting of assets at a written down value of $0.709 million and liabilities to the value of $1.194 million.
Appendices Appendices
Appendix 1: Index of Compliance
In accordance with direction 9.1.3 (ii) (j) of the Financial Management Act 1994, below is an index of compliance for statutory disclosure and other requirements.
Index of Compliance for Statutory Disclosure
Clause Disclosure Location Report of Operations
Charter and purpose 9.1.3 (i) (a) Manner of establishment and Relevant Minister 9.1.3 (i) (b) Objectives, functions, powers and duties Pages 3–31 9.1.3 (i) (c) Services provided and persons or sections of community served }
Management and structure 9.1.3 (i) (d) (i) Names of governing board members, audit committee and chief executive officer Appendix 2 9.1.3 (i) (d) (ii) Appendix 2 9.1.3 (i) (d) (iii) Names of senior office holders and brief description of each office Appendix 2 Chart setting out organisational structure Serving People 9.1.3 (i) (e) Workforce data and application of merit and equity principles Appendix 2 and People Management
9.1.3 (i) (f) Application and operation of FOI Act 1982 Appendix 3
Financial and other information 9.1.3 (ii) (a) Summary of financial results with previous four year comparatives Finance Summary 9.1.3 (ii) (b) Summary of significant changes in financial position Financial Report 9.1.3 (ii) (c) Operational and budgetary objectives for the year and performance against those objectives Financial Report 9.1.3 (ii) (d) Major changes or factors affecting achievement of objectives Financial Report 9.1.3 (ii) (e) Events subsequent to balance date Financial Report 9.1.3 (ii) (f) Consultancies > $100,000 - Full details of each consultancy Appendix 4 9.1.3 (ii) (g) Consultancies < $100,000 - Number and total cost of consulting engagements Appendix 4
9.1.3 (ii) (h) Extent of compliance with Building Act 1993 Appendix 5 9.1.3 (ii) (i) Statement that information listed in Part 9.1.3 (iv) is available on request Appendix 1 9.1.3 (ii) (k) Statement on implementation and compliance with National Competition Policy Appendix 6 9.6.2 Progress towards Year 2000 compliance Appendix 7
Financial Statements
Preparation 9.2.2 (ii) (a) Statement of preparation on an accrual basis Financial Report 9.2.2 (ii) (b) Statement of compliance with Australian Accounting Standards and associated pronouncements Financial Report 9.2.2 (ii) (c) Statement of compliance with accounting policies issued by the Minister for Finance Financial Report
Statement of financial operations 9.2.2 (i) (a) A statement of financial operations for the year Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (a) Operating revenue by class Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (b) Investment income by class Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (c) Other material revenue by class including sale of non-goods assets and contributions of assets Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (d) Material revenues arising from exchanges of goods or services Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (e) Depreciation, amortisation or diminution in value Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (f) Bad and doubtful debts Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (g) Financing costs Financial Report 1998–1999 9.2.3 (ii) (h) Net increment or decrement on the revaluation of each category of assets Financial Report 9.2.3 (ii) (i) Auditor-General’s fees Financial Report Annual ReportAnnual
136 Appendices
Index of Compliance for Statutory Disclosure Continued…
Clause Disclosure Location
Statement of financial position 9.2.2 (i) (b) A statement of financial position for the year Financial Report
Assets 9.2.3 (iii) (a) (i) Cash at bank or in hand Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (a) (ii) Inventories by class Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (a) (iii) Receivables, including trade debtors, loans and other debtors Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (a) (iv) Other assets, including prepayments Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (a) (v) Investments by class Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (a) (vi) Property, plant and equipment Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (a) (vii) Intangible assets Financial Report
Liabilities 9.2.3 (iii) (b) (i) Overdrafts Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (b) (ii) Bank loans, bills payable, promissory notes, debentures and other loans Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (b) (iii) Trade and other creditors Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (b) (iv) Finance lease liabilities Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (b) (v) Provisions, including employee entitlements Financial Report
Equity 9.2.3 (iii) (c) (i) Authorised capital Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (c) (ii) Issued capital Financial Report 9.2.3 (iii) (d) Reserves, and transfers to and from reserves (shown separately) Financial Report
Statement of cash flows 9.2.2 (i) (c) A statement of cash flows for the year Financial Report
Notes to the financial statements 9.2.2 (i) (d) Ex-gratia payments Financial Report 9.2.2 (i) (d) Amounts written off Financial Report 9.2.3 (iv) (a) Charges against assets Financial Report 9.2.3 (iv) (b) Contingent liabilities Financial Report 9.2.3 (iv) (c) Commitments for expenditure Financial Report 9.2.3 (iv) (d) Government grants received or receivable and source Financial Report 9.2.3 (iv) (e) Employee superannuation funds Financial Report 9.2.3 (iv) (f) Assets received without adequate consideration Financial Report 9.4.2 Transactions with responsible persons and their related parties Financial Report 9.7.2 Motor vehicle lease commitments Financial Report Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
137 Appendices
Further Information The Directions of the Minister for Finance pursuant to the Financial Management Act 1994 require that further information about the financial year be prepared and made available to Ministers, Members of Parliament and the public on request. This material is itemised below, and where it is not noted as being published in this report, is retained by the accountable officer.
a A statement that declarations of pecuniary interests have been duly completed by all relevant officers (see Appendix 1).
b Details of shares held by a senior officer as nominee, or held beneficially in a statutory authority or subsidiary.
c Details of publications produced by the Department and the places where the publications can be obtained (see Appendix 8).
d Details of changes in prices, fees, charges, rates and levies charged by the Department.
e Details of any major external reviews carried out on the Department.
f Details of major research and development activities undertaken.
g Details of overseas travel including a summary of objectives and outcomes of each visit (see Appendix 10).
h Details of major promotional, public relations and marketing activities undertaken by the Department to develop community awareness of the Department and services it provides (see Appendix 9).
i Details of assessment and measures undertaken to improve the occupational health and safety of employees.
j A general statement on industrial relations within the Department and details of time lost through industrial accidents and disputes.
k List of major committees sponsored by the Department, the purposes of each committee and the extent to which the purposes have been achieved. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
138 Appendices
Appendix 2: Staff Profile
Table 33 : Executive Officer numbers by Classification and Ron Tiffen Grampians Region Gender, as at 30 June 1999. Gregg Nicholls Loddon Mallee Region (acting) Andrew Stripp Southern Region M F Total Pam White Eastern Region Band 1 1 - 1
Band 2 24 6 30 Assistant Directors Band 3 54 48 102 With regard to a major program or sub-program Assistant Total 79 54 133 Directors are responsible for:
■ The planning, development, implementation and monitoring of the service delivery system. Occupants of Senior Offices as at 30 June 1999 ■ Implementing consistent and coordinated, short and long term planning of services. Departmental Secretary ■ Promulgating policies and guidelines which define and Warren McCann establish program standards.
Directors The Assistant Directors were:
Divisional Directors are responsible for both an organisation- Aged, Community and Mental Health wide program area as well as being directly accountable for the Joanna Birdseye activities of one or more of the Department’s Regions. (acting) Mental Health The Directors operate with the Secretary as the departmental Vic Gordon Primary Health executive decision making forum. The Directors were: Alan Hall Aged Care Anthony Nippard Planning and Budget Yehudi Blacher Youth and Family Services Chris Brook Acute Health Acute Health John Catford Public Health and Development Alan Clayton Aged, Community and Mental Health Heather Buchan Quality Jennifer McAuley Portfolio Services Peter Donnelly Purchasing and Financial Policy Barry Nicholls Corporate Strategy Campbell Miller Service Development Howard Ronaldson Housing John Peoples Business Support and Project Lance Wallace Corporate Resources Management Andrejs Zamurs Disability Services Lynton Ulrich Infrastructure Investment
Corporate Resources Regional Directors Within the Region, Regional Directors are responsible for: Lesley Dormer External Purchasing Support Heather Evans Private Sector Contracts Mark Harvey Human Resources ■ The planning, purchasing and delivery of the full range of Human Services programs within the region. John Hayes Financial and Administrative Services Barry Paice Capital Management ■ Managing the implementation of fundamental change Robert Reynolds Information Services management strategies in both directly delivered and Del Stitz ISSP Transformation Project purchased services to improve client services. Corporate Strategy ■ Representing the Department in negotiations with key provider organisations on funding and policy issues, and in conjunction Brian Joyce Business Development with departmental objectives. Tim Harrop Export Development Bruce Prosser Business Planning and Analysis The Regional Directors were: Phyllis Rosendale Intergovernmental Relations Trevor Sutherland Ambulance Services Annual Report Annual Report Terry Garwood Hume Region Geoff Lavender Barwon South Western Region Disability Services Gabrielle Levine Western Region
Ralph McLean Rural Health 1998–1999 John Mollett Gippsland Region Arthur Rogers Disability Services Des O'Shea Northern Region
139 Appendices
Housing Reporting Against Commissioner for Public Employment Directions Tony Cahir Director, Aboriginal Affairs Ken Downie Policy and Standards The Commissioner for Public Employment issued Directions Roger Hudson Property Services under section 37(1)(b) and section 39 of the Public Sector Angela Jurjevic Housing Management and Employment Act 1998. Departments are Richard Woolaston Home Finance and Community Housing required to report against the Commissioner Directions in their annual reports to Parliament in relation to the Commissioner Public Health Directions of Selecting on Merit, Reviewing Personal Grievances, Managing and Valuing Diversity, and Upholding Ray Judd Social and Environmental Health Public Sector Conduct. Jan Norton Public Health and Development
Portfolio Services Selecting on Merit Graham Morris Legislation and Legal Following the introduction of the PSMEA, the Department developed and distributed a policy standard on ‘Selecting on Youth and Family Services Merit’. The standard outlined the new definition of merit; highlighting the need to consider the potential for further Garth Lampe Research Planning and Budget development, and reinforcing the need for all selection Management decisions to be fair and equitable. This standard formed part Gillian Parmenter Youth, Family and Community Services of a set which were widely distributed to all managers as part Margaret Wagstaff Child Protection and Juvenile Justice of an overall PSMEA Information Kit and reinforced with a range of briefing sessions.
Pecuniary Interests Declaration In the past 12 months the Department has also introduced a new approach to recruitment which reflects the changes It is certified that all executives of Human Services have resulting from the introduction of the PSMEA. ‘Selecting Well’ completed a declaration of pecuniary interests during the provides managers with a new way of defining roles and year 1998–1999. assessing applicants, and emphasises the new definition of merit in both the job definition and assessment processes. Health Care Networks Occupants of Senior Offices To focus on new advertising requirements and outline the circumstances under which a vacancy could be exempted from Inner and Eastern Health Care Network advertisement, the Department also developed a policy standard Chair Graeme Samuel entitled ‘Advertising Employment Opportunities’. This policy was CEO Simon Blair supported by the development of a set of guidelines titled ‘Exemption from Advertisement of Vacancies’; a document North Western Health Care Network which was distributed in hard copy and placed on the Human Resources Branch homepage to assist managers when Chair Melda Donnelly considering exempting a vacancy. The guidelines provide an CEO Dr Michael Stanford application form for each of the nine possible criteria which lists the supporting information which must accompany any Peninsula Health Care Network application for exemption. This enables consistency to be Chair David Glanville maintained throughout the department in the application of CEO Christopher Fox the exemption criteria. Southern Health Care Network Throughout the year, the Department Head approved 205 Chair Garry Richardson decisions to exemption vacancies from advertisement. CEO Judith Dwyer Of these, three were granted under the ‘Disadvantaged Groups’ criteria. The table below provides a breakdown of the Women’s and Children’s Health Care Network exemptions granted by criteria. Chair Lyndsey Cattermole CEO Dr John de Campo
Austin and Repatriation Hospital 1998–1999 Chair Dr James Breheny CEO Jennifer Williams Annual ReportAnnual
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Table 34 : 1998–1999 Exemption of Advertisement of Table 35 : Grievance Statistical Data Vacancies 1 July ‘97- 1 July ‘98- 30 June ‘98 30 June ‘99 Criteria Total Grievances Received 203 161 Progression based on Competence Assessment 0 Ineligible/Rejected 41 51 Reclassification 13 Conciliated/Mediated 79 60 Identical Vacancy 39 Withdrawn 37 29 Recent Advertisement 21 Hearing- Upheld 39 23 Specialised Duties 13 Hearing-Decision Varied/Denied 12 11 Graduate Recruitment 1 Temporary Vacancy 115 Total Grievances Finalised 208 174 Members of Disadvantaged Groups 3 Succession Planning 0
Total 205
The ‘Advertising Employment Opportunities’ standard and related guidelines document states that all decisions to exempt a vacancy from advertising must be notified in Job Opportunities. As Job Opportunities is distributed to all staff every week, it enables those employees who may be affected by the decision to exempt to be notified of that decision.
Reviewing Personal Grievances The Department has in place a grievance process to enable staff to have issues that affect their employment resolved quickly and fairly. A new grievance policy standard was developed, and communicated widely to staff, following the introduction of the Commissioner for Public Employment Directions. Combined with this, the Department introduced a number of initiatives to ensure staff grievances are dealt with fairly and in a timely manner.
Specific initiatives include contracting of external Review Officers and introduction of formal mediation as a tool to resolve grievances. Of ten grievances where formal mediation was used, six were resolved at that level. The Department’s grievance process and mediation are included in Australian Workplace Agreements. Mediation has also been included in the HACSU MX Award in relation to classification grievances.
Comparative analysis between previous and current year data reflects a significant decrease in staff grievances from 203 to 161. This reduction can be attributed to a number of factors in particular:
■ Staff confidence in raising issues of concern with their line manager that results in matters being resolved at that level as reflected by the Department’s Employee Climate Survey.
■ A reduction in the number of staff in the Department. Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
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Appendix 3: Application and Operation of Freedom of Information Act 1982
Principal Officer Table 36 : Summary of Activity Warren McCann, Secretary, Department of Human Services. 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 Total of requests received 1,348 1,250 1,230 Authorised Officers For personal records 1,169 1,077 1,070 Manager, Freedom of Information For non-personal records 179 173 160 Alex Cole Requests for internal review 41 48 32 Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal 39 42 16 Freedom of Information Officers—Head Office Of requests decided Granted in full 356 361 366 David Jenkin Michelle Grech Granted in part 443 499 496 Maxine Hand Denied 251 161 54 Stuart Atkins Dealt with under other provisions of FOI Act 298 229 314 Ina Mikelsons Sally Yeoland The most commonly used exemption categories were: Corporate Services, Managers Tony Norman Barwon-South Western Region ■ Section 33(1) ‘unreasonable disclosure of information relating Richard Teychenne Gippsland Region to the personal affairs of others’ (cited 409 times). Steven Jones Grampians Region ■ Section 35(1) ‘information received by the Department in Gerardine Christou Grampians Region confidence’ (cited 212 times). Chris Garratt Hume Region
Hugh Crook Hume Region ■ Section 38 ‘documents to which secrecy provisions of David Mulquiney Loddon Mallee Region enactments apply’ (cited 140 times). Graham Downs Southern Metropolitan Region Wayne Fleming Western Metropolitan Region ■ Section 31(1)(c) ‘disclosure or identify a confidential source of David Hoare Western Metropolitan Region information’ (cited 106 times). Jack Kefford Western Metropolitan Region John Chaplain Northern Metropolitan Region Barry Gunning Eastern Metropolitan Region
Corporate Services, Area Manager David Cay Loddon Mallee Region
Requests During 1998–1999 1230 requests were received for access to documents under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
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Appendix 4: Consultancy Registers
Table 37 : Consultancy Firm Title and Purpose of Consultancy Start Completion Total 1998-99 (and principal consultant) Date Date Commitment Actual Expenditure
HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT ADVISORS P/L Coding Audits of Hospital Medical Records 31-Mar-99 31-Oct-01 847,675.00 0.00 Commercial Agreement KPMG MANAGEMENT CONSULTING P/L Patient Record Audit 8-Mar-99 18-Jun-99 495,745.00 495,745.00 BUNDOORA CENTRE FOR APPLIED Post Acute Care - Health Outcomes and Cost Benefits 7-Sep-98 31-Dec-99 265,794.00 99,674.50 GERONTOLOGY VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC Consultative Committee on Road Traffic Fatalities 1-Jul-98 30-Jun-99 246,100.00 246,100.00 MEDICINE AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL ON HEALTHCARE Acute Health Clinical Indicator Project 19-Oct-98 28-Jun-99 245,560.00 196,448.00 STANDARDS FENTON COMMUNICATIONS Communication Strategy and Implementation for better 11-Feb-99 10-Feb-00 238,750.00 194,282.91 Health Channel CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF MOTHERS' Maternity Services Consumer Satisfaction Survey 15-Jun-99 30-Dec-00 224,164.00 134,500.00 AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH MONASH UNIVERSITY 1998–1999 Cost Weights Study for Admitted 7-Sep-98 19-Mar-99 204,400.00 138,880.00 and Non-Admitted Patients NORTH WESTERN HEALTH CARE NETWORK Hospital in the Home Costing Study 7-Aug-98 29-Oct-99 204,000.00 81,600.00 PHILLIPS FOX SOLICITORS Health Services Policy Review 20-Jul-98 22-Mar-99 190,250.00 100,000.00 GENERAL PRACTICE DIVISION - VICTORIA LTD The Hospital - GP Integration Project 1-Oct-98 1-Nov-99 150,000.00 120,000.00 KPMG CONSULTING PTY LTD 1998–1999 Hospital in the Home Service Audit Consultancy 20-Jul-98 31-Mar-99 140,000.00 140,000.00 CAMPBELL RESEARCH and CONSULTING Develop and Trial a Model to Monitor Patient 1-Jan-99 11-Jun-99 118,210.00 94,568.00 Satisfaction in Victorian Hospitals RGA Service Planning to the A&RMC Project 19-Aug-98 21-Dec-98 173,500.00 173,500.00 MORELAND COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE Research into Younger Men's access to Health 8-Mar-99 8-Aug-00 100,000.00 0.00 and Welfare Services BEAUVIEW P/L Development of Best Practice Models for Effective 27-Oct-98 27-Apr-99 100,000.00 40,000.00 (PEOPLE CARE AUSTRALIA) Intervention BEAUVIEW P/L The evaluation of Youth Alcohol and Drug Outreach 1-Feb-99 30-Jun-99 110,000.00 44,000.00 (TRADING AS PEOPLE CARE AUSTRALIA) Services MONASH UNIVERSITY Research into Innovative Treatment of Depression in 23-Jun-99 18-Dec-00 124,958.00 0.00 CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT PSYCHIATRY Adolescents in Rural settings MONASH UNIVERSITY Research into Innovative Treatment of Depression in 18-Jun-99 18-Dec-00 124,998.00 0.00 Adolescents in Metropolitan Settings LATROBE UNIVERSITY - Evaluation of AMHS response to needs of consumers 27-Nov-98 1-Apr-00 132,705.00 33,170.00 LINCOLN GERONTOLOGY CENTRE of resi.and CBACS MONASH UNIVERSITY - Foothold on Safety Evaluation 16-Jun-99 31-Dec-00 149,452.00 0.00 ACCIDENT RESEARCH CENTRE HILL & KNOWLTON Public Relations 18-Dec-98 30-Jun-99 200,000.00 37,844.90 MALLESONS STEPHEN JAQUES Legal Consulting Services for Aged Residential 27-Dec-98 30-Jun-02 250,000.00 16,730.10 Care Services Redevelopment ANDREWS & ANDREWS CONSULTING Provide IR Services for stages 3 and 4 of Aged 24-Dec-98 30-Jun-01 350,000.00 63,876.75 Residential Care Transition Project DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU PROBITY CONSULTANCY SERVICE IN PUBLIC SECTOR 7-Dec-98 30-Jun-01 350,000.00 23,414.00 UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG Implementation of Health Status and Consumer 11-Jun-99 15-May-00 386,360.00 0.00 Outcome Measurement in Victoria PMHSA G.S RESULTS PTY LTD Consultancy Services for stages 3 and 4 of Aged 16-Dec-98 30-Jun-01 400,000.00 37,368.00 Residential Care Transition Project LATROBE UNIVERSITY Development of future purchasing strategy for ACMH 26-Apr-99 26-Apr-02 492,000.00 0.00
AC NEILSON P/L / SHANE THOMAS Evaluation and Measurement of Consumer and Carer 10-Dec-98 31-May-00 499,725.00 224,100.00 Annual Report & ASSOCIATES P/L Satisfaction with PMHS CUMMINS & PARTNERS CPR Key to Survival Communications Strategy 1-Mar-99 29-Feb-00 379,000.00 310,000.00
THE VICTORIAN PARENTING CENTRE Intellectual Disability Parent Support Package 1-Sep-98 31-Mar-00 295,843.00 0.00 1998–1999
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Consultancy Firm Title and Purpose of Consultancy Start Completion Total 1998-99 (and principal consultant) Date Date Commitment Actual Expenditure
SERVICE QUALITY AUSTRALIA Information and Training on the Disability Services 8-Apr-99 7-Sep-99 191,693.00 0.00 Self Assessment System KPMG MANAGEMENT CONSULTING Evaluation of Transitional Housing Managers' Program 19-Oct-98 30-Mar-00 175,000.00 61,250.00 WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE Mobile Immunisation Service Evaluation 1-Aug-98 1-Aug-00 140,390.00 21,058.00 NETWORK TQA RESEARCH P/L The conduct of a CATI Pilot Population Health Survey. 10-Nov-98 29-Jan-99 142,815.00 10,972.00 To establish the methodology for future CATI surveys, secure quality over the data collection, and to recommend the best practice approach for undertaking future population health surveys EDUCATION IMAGE P/L Folate Campaign 4-Jan-99 30-Dec-99 292,200.00 160,000.00 SUCCESS WORKS Evaluation of the High Risk Adolescent Service 15-Feb-99 30-Jul-00 164,000.00 72,160.00 Quality Improvement Initiative SEXUAL ABUSE ASSESSMENT AND Training Response for High Risk Infants Service 15-Jul-98 1-Sep-99 167,570.00 83,785.00 CONSULTANCY SERVICE P/L Quality Initiatives CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF MOTHERS' AND Program of Resources Information and Support to 1-Oct-98 30-Jun-99 240,000.00 240,000.00 CHILDREN'S HEALTH (LA TROBE UNIVERSITY) Mothers (PRISM) WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE Evaluation of the High Risk Infants Service Quality 1-Feb-99 30-Jun-00 270,000.00 108,000.00 NETWORK (ROYAL CHILDREN'S HOSP) Initiative SPICE CONSULTING PTY LTD Evaluation and Data Strategy for the Strengthening 1-Oct-98 1-Oct-99 327,980.00 49,197.00 Families Initiative KPMG CONSULTING PTY LTD Review of Information Services 19-Oct-98 30-Apr-99 463,208.00 441,978.00
In the 1998–1999 period the Department of Human Services began a further 150 consultancies of $100,000 or less with a total commitment of $5,736,955.85 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
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Appendix 5: Extent of Compliance with Building Act 1993
The Department of Human Services complies with the to address immediate fire safety risks, (risk to life) have been Standards for Publicly Owned Buildings (the Guideline), completed. Additional works recommended in the audits are as prepared by the former Office of Building, Department proceeding in priority order. of Planning and Development (now the Department of Infrastructure). The Guideline applies to new building, The audit of community residences occupied by the intellectually all construction works and relates also to the safety disabled has been completed and works to install residential and fitness to occupy facilities. sprinklers and upgrade smoke detection and alarm systems are being implemented. Sprinklers are also being installed in all high-rise and medium-rise units. Scope of Properties
The Department controls 70,566 properties through the Office In the case of high-rise housing developments where current of Housing that are largely utilised for the purposes of public regulatory requirements for fire safety may differ from those housing. In addition, the Department controls ten institutional which were in force at the time of building construction, residential facilities and approximately 440 community appropriate upgrading works will occur at the time of planned residential facilities which are utilised for the purpose of redevelopment works. providing accommodation and support to young offenders, the intellectually disabled and state wards. Over the past 15 years, fire safety upgrading works has been undertaken in a number of these buildings in consultation with Other facilities utilised for human services purposes are either the fire authorities. owned or under the implied control of agencies which are public reporting entities incorporated or registered under Acts of the The Department has completed a condition survey of all its Victorian Parliament (public reporting agencies). stock. It has an upgrade and maintenance program scheduled each year to ensure continual refurbishment. Where necessary, ■ These facilities comprise public hospitals, community properties are brought into line with current building standards. health centres, nursing homes, community care units and ambulance stations. In regard to public housing stock, external safeguards exist to ensure that occupied housing stock is safe and fit to occupy New and Existing Building Standards at any time. All new work and redevelopment of existing properties is ■ Public housing is subject to the Residential Tenancies Act carried out to conform with current building regulations (1994) 1980, the provisions of which require the Office of Housing, and the provisions of the Building Act 1993. as a landlord, to keep all properties in good order. When a building defect is identified by the occupier, and an order is ■ Either a certificate of Final Inspection or an Occupancy sought and obtained from the Residential Tenancies Tribunal, Certificate is issued for all new facilities or upgrades the Director of Housing is required to comply with the Act. to existing facilities by the local authority or by a The Office of Fair Trading also has inspectors who assess Building Surveyor. properties for compliance on request from tenants.
Ten Year Liability Cap Registered Building Practitioners All capital works invoke the ten year liability cap except in circumstances consistent with the guidelines issued from As required by law, the Department requires building time to time by the Minister for Finance. practitioners, or their deemed equivalent who carry appropriate professional indemnity insurance, engaged on building works to be registered and to maintain registration throughout the course Maintenance of Buildings in a Safe and Serviceable of the building works. Condition The Department has developed and distributed a document 1999–2000 Plans titled Asset Management Building Standards and Condition Assessment Guideline, Department of Human Services, 1997 Following the 1998–1999 audit of community residential to assist public reporting agencies to comply with the Guideline. facilities occupied by state wards, all identified upgrade
works will be completed during 1999–2000. Annual Report The Department has developed Fire Risk Management Guidelines for all types of facilities controlled by the There will be continued implementation of the five year Fire Risk Department and public reporting agencies. Fire Risk Audits have Management Program which comprises audits and upgrades of 1998–1999 been completed for Department institutions and interim works all Department owned and operated facilities.
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Business continuity plans have been established to address Year 2000 risk management issues relating to facilities, plant and engineering systems.
1999–2000 The Office of Housing An ongoing 20 per cent of total stock resurvey assessments each year will ensure that current data is available for refurbishment programs in future years. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
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Appendix 6: Review of Legislation
Review of Legislation in accordance with implementation of National Competition Policy
Name of Legislation Progress Achieved* Additional Comments Adoption Act 1984 Report completed. Review being undertaken Review was conducted jointly with Department of Justice, as the Adoption (Inter-Country Fees) legislation is jointly administered by the Department of Human Regulations 1992 Services and the Department of Justice. The report has been forwarded to the Attorney General Ambulance Services Act 1986 Consultant report completed Government position to be determined Caravan Parks and Movable Review completed. Included in Replaced by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 Dwellings Act 1988 Residential Tenancies Act 1980 review Caravan Parks and Movable Regulations repealed Dwellings Regulations 1993 Cemeteries Act 1958 Report completed. Review is being undertaken Chiropractors and Osteopaths Review completed Chiropractors Registration Act 1996 and Osteopaths Registration Registration Act 1978 Act 1996 Chiropractors and Osteopaths Regulations repealed Regulations 1992 Chiropodists Act 1968 Review completed Podiatrists Registration Act 1997 Chiropodists Regulations 1988 Dentists Act 1972 Review completed Dental Practice Act 1999 Dentists Regulations 1992 Dental Technicians Act 1972 Dental Technicians Regulations 1992 Advanced Dental Technicians Regulations 1996 Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Report is being undertaken This is a national review Substances Act 1981 Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 1995 Food Act 1984 Report and review is being undertaken This is a national review Health Act 1958 Report is being undertaken Discussion paper published in December 1998 Health (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 1990 Health (Pest Control Operators) Regulations 1992 Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1990 Health Services Act 1988 Report is being undertaken Discussion paper published in March 1999 Health Services (Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres) Regulations 1991 Housing Act 1983 Report is being undertaken National approach being considered Medical Practice Act 1994 Report completed. Review is being undertaken and is part of a joint review with the Nurses Act Mental Health Act 1986 Review completed Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1999 Nurses Act 1993 Report completed. Review is being undertaken and is part of a joint review with the Medical Practice Act Optometrists Registration Act 1958 Review completed Optometrists Registration Act 1996 Optometrists Regulations 1992 Pathology Services Accreditation Review is being undertaken Act 1984 Pathology Services Accreditation (General) Regulations 1990 Pharmacists Act 1974
Pharmacists Regulations 1992 Report is being undertaken This is a national review Annual Report Psychologists Registration Act 1987 Report completed. Review is being undertaken 1998–1999
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Review of Legislation in accordance with implementation of National Competition Policy Continued…
Name of Legislation Progress Achieved* Additional Comments Physiotherapists Registration Act 1978 Review completed Physiotherapists Registration Act 1998 Physiotherapists (Qualifications) Regulations 1995 Residential Tenancies Act 1980 Review completed Residential Tenancies Act 1997 Residential Tenancies Regulations 1992 Rooming Houses Act 1990 Review completed Replaced by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 Rooming Houses Regulations 1992 Therapeutic Goods (Victoria) Act 1994 Report completed Tobacco Act 1987 Report and review are being undertaken Tobacco (Promotion of Exempt Sponsorships) Regulations 1989 * A report on competition restrictions is completed when submitted to the relevant Minister. The legislative review process is completed when any necessary legislative amendments have been enacted.
Application of Competitive Neutrality Principles to Significant Government Business Activities
Significant Government Business Activity Status of Application of Competitive Neutrality
Commercially provided ancillary services undertaken by public hospitals All hospitals have priced their commercial units, and where in the market place, these will be priced in a competitively neutral way.
Application of Competitive Neutrality Principles to In-House Bids within the Department In accordance with the guidelines, Competitively Neutrality pricing principles have been applied to in-house bids when competitive tendering has been undertaken. 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
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Appendix 7: Year 2000 Compliance
The Department of Human Services Year 2000 (Y2K) Strategic Critical Plain English Description of Critical Schedule or Plan has three key foci: Departmental internal systems, funded Business Business Function Actual Date for System Year 2000 sector agencies, and public hospitals. Name Compliance†
CASIS Child Protection Client Information System March 99 Key Initiatives DISCIS Disability Services Client Information System March 99 JJ-CIS Juvenile Justice Client Information System March 99 Department of Human Services Internal Systems: CHISOL Children’s Services On Line Information System March 99
■ Year 2000 Project Office established to implement the URGIS Utility Relief Grants Information System March 99 Department of Human Services Year 2000 Strategy. ACAMPS Home and Community Care Database July 99 SWITCH System Wide Information Transfer from June 99 ■ Year 2000 compliance established for all high priority Community Health Services to DHS computer applications in accordance with recognised ERMIS 1.3a Emergency Recovery Management July 99 standards (refer to table). Information System ■ Year 2000 compliance established for the IT infrastructure RESIREG Aged Care Residential Services Information July 99 including 6500 networked PCs. Register PRISM Mental Health Services Information June 99 ■ Contingency plans developed for business critical processes, Management System with a view to the development of a Department of Human CDE Common Desktop Environment - PC Software December 98 Services Business Continuity Plan. package
Funded Sector Agencies EMIS Executive Management Information System June 99 Oracle Department Financial System July 99 ■ Year 2000 program established by the Department of Human Financials Services on the basis of levels of risk. CLIME Public Hospitals Reporting System April 99
■ Cabinet reporting on progress to achieve Year 2000 HRMIS Human Resources Management Information June 99 compliance established for major agencies. System Recfind/ File and Correspondence tracking/ Replacement ■ Information and awareness seminars, and general information Recwin management System system provided for all agencies in September 1998. June 00. Contingency ■ Information on Y2K program regularly provided to agencies plan and peak organisations. implemented for 1 January 2000 ■ Human services Industry forums held in October 1998 on Y2K issues and in May 1999 on contingency planning for ELDS Executive Leadership Database March 99 major agencies. CAPWORK Capital Works Expenditure Management December 98 (NEW) System ■ $11 million provided to Cabinet reporting agencies to ensure KEYFILE Records Management System December 98 the remediation of business critical systems. SAMS Service Agreement Management System December 98 (DHS contracts with Agencies) Public Hospitals ISIP Integrated Systems for Information December 98 Processing (Housing Services Management ■ Refer to report in Acute Health section. System) ESIS Elective Surgery Information System June 99 AIMS Agency Information Management June 99 System (Public Hospitals) VIMD Vic. Inpatient Minimum Dataset (Public Hospitals) June 99 PRS/2 Patient Reporting System Version 2 June 99 Hospital Public Hospitals Financial Management June 99 Payments System (Casemix) DODIS Drug of Dependence Information System August 99 Annual Report Annual Report NIDS Notification of Infectious Diseases System August 99 (Public Health)
† As defined in Australian Standard MP 77 1998–1999
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Appendix 8: Major Departmental Publications
A History of the Ebenezer Mission–Occasional Report A Stronger Primary Health and Community Support System: Demonstration Projects Requests for Proposals A Stronger Primary Health and Community Support System: Policy Directions Administering the Food Act 1984. A guide for Local Government Analysis of Clients Presenting to Problem Gambling Counselling Services from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998. Report 4 Annual Report 1997–1998 Annual Report of Inquiries Into Child Deaths, Protection and Care 1999 At Home: A Celebration of Victoria's Public Housing Community Guidelines and Checklist for Bush Nursing Hospital Redevelopment Changes in Public Residential Services for the Aged: Your Questions Answered Children’s Services Licensing Operational Guide Concessions Unit Annual Report 1997–1998 Demographic Profile, Gambling Activity and Service Use of Clients Presenting to Break Even Problem Gambling Counselling Services 1 July 1995–30 June 1997. Report 3 Disability Focus Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1 Disability Services Self-Assessment System Doing Business - A Policy for Building Up the Koori Business Network Development of a Risk Screening Tool for Service Needs following Discharge from Acute Care Project (Final Report) Effective Discharge Strategy Background Paper: A Framework for Effective Discharge Effective Discharge Patient Record Audit—Final Report Evaluation of the Statewide Implementation of Family Group Conferencing Evaluation of the Relocated HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Services (Health Outcomes International, 1999) Final Status Report on 'Bringing Them Home/Stolen Generation' Fringe Benefits Tax Information Kit Food Safety Starter Pack Food Safety Victoria Communications Strategy Gas Crisis Fact Sheets (23 in total) Guide for Food Safety in Schools Guidelines for the Investigation of Gastrointestinal Illness Health Promotion Strategies for Community Health Services. An Evidence-based framework for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Healthy Weight High Risk Infants Known to Child Protection Services: Literature Review, Annotation and Analysis High Risk Infant Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Research Project Phase One: Research and Analysis High Risk Infants Service Quality Initiatives Project: Development and Early Implementation Report, July 1997–June 1999 Housing Week 1999 Calendar How new food laws affect food business operators—Attention All Food Businesses pamphlet 1998–1999 How to Develop Industry Guidelines for Food Safety: A Guide for Industry Associations Information Privacy Principles Annual ReportAnnual
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International Year of Older Persons 1999 Calendar of Events July–December 1999 Koori Business Directory—Experiences of Koori Business People in Victoria Koori Services Improvement Strategy Kudos QIRC Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 2 Literature Review, Annotation and Analysis: High Risk Infants Known to Child Protection Making the Message Matter Nurse Labourforce Projections Victoria 1998–2009 Open for Business Out of the Mainstream: A Parenting Group for Parents with an Intellectual Disability and their Children Parents with an Intellectual Disability and Older Children: Strategies for Support Workers Partnerships in Public Health Positive Moves: Transforming Victoria's Night Shelters Redevelopment of Adoption and Permanent Care Services—Final Report December 1998 Report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Support Services for Tenants in Low Cost Accommodation Review of Dentists Act 1972 and Dental Technicians Act 1972: Final Report Review of the Ambulance Services Act 1986 Review of Radiotherapy Services Victoria, Australia: A Discussion Paper and Submission Guide Review of Radiotherapy Services Victoria: A Report Review of Trauma and Emergency Services Victoria 1999 Rural Health Matters: Strategic Directions 1999–2000 School Students and Drug Use Statewide Review of Out-of-Home Care Services For Aboriginal Children and Young People—December 1998 Summary of Housing Assistance Programs 1997–1998 The Aged Care Research Services and Development Presentation Forum The Redevelopment of Victoria’s Youth and Family Services: Purchasing Specifications The Working Together Strategy: A Quality Improvement Initiative involving Mental Health, Protection and Care, Drug Treatment Services and Juvenile Justice Towards a Stronger Primary Health and Community Support System: Streamlining Assessment Services—Consultation Paper Towards Best Practice in Disability Services: Profiles of QIRC Funded Projects 1998-1999 Traditional Chinese Medicine—Report on Options for Regulation of Practitioners Transforming Business 21: One Year On Victoria Youth Parole and Youth Residential Board Annual Report 1997–1998 Victorian Food Safety Strategy a Guide to the Food (Amendment Act 1997) Victoria—Public Hospitals Policy and Funding Guidelines 1999–2000 Victorian Ambulatory Classification and Funding System (VACS) Working with a Multicultural Community Annual Report Annual Report You and Your Home—Information for Tenants booklet 1998–1999 For further information, or to obtain copies of publications, telephone 9616 7777.
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Appendix 9: Corporate Communication Activities
Health Access Project Better Health Channel The Department managed the Health Access Project, a Victorian The Better Health Channel was launched in May 1999. It is an Government initiative designed to ensure all Victorians have Internet site which gives all Victorians access to reliable, up-to- access to information about the wide range of local health and date information on health related topics. It aims to help people social support services available to them. make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle.
One of the major outcomes of the Project was a health services’ The Better Health Channel gives health organisations the directory, A Guide to Your Local Health Services. The directory opportunity to provide information on a site that is user-friendly, was published in nine regional versions and distributed to every reliable and highly accessible. The site has a range of special household in the state. Its release was supported by a features including: a local services directory, monthly discussion community awareness campaign and a call centre providing topic, calendar of events, a postcard facility and can be found at a translation service in 15 languages. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
The Victorian community welcomed the directory as a practical and valuable information resource. Its value was further Maternity Services Enhancement Strategy recognised by the awarding of the Public Sector Customer Service Award in the 1999 Australian Marketing Institute’s A Communications Plan has been developed to promote the National Public Sector Awards for Marketing Excellence. Maternity Services Enhancement Strategy, which aims to improve the quality and continuity of maternity care, and to provide women with better information about their care. International Year of Older Persons 1999 Communications activities will be implemented over the The United Nations declared 1999 as the International Year life of the Strategy. of Older Persons. From January–June 1999, the Victorian Government demonstrated the strength of its commitment The Victorian Government is building on the existing public to the wellbeing of older Victorians through the organisation maternity services through the Maternity Services Enhancement of International Year activities. A key message ‘Getting better Strategy to ensure women have better access to quality maternity with age’ was developed to capture the essence of the services across Victoria. By responding to women’s needs and International Year and its importance to older people and the providing them with more choices and care options, the Strategy wider community. In addition, visual images reflecting a true aims to improve outcomes for women and their families. understanding of the breadth of older people’s lives and the way they interact with others were created. The first stage of the Communications Strategy included the development Learn CPR — The Key To Survival of print and radio advertisements which effectively conveyed The Department has commenced a program to train 90,000 the images and messages and accurately reflected the diversity Victorians over three years in the life saving technique of of older people’s lives. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The program was launched by the Minister for Health at the Melbourne International Victorian Personal Assistance Call Services (VICPACS) Flower and Garden Show in April 1999.
This service aims to assist and aid the frail, elderly and disabled Free CPR training courses conducted by registered training community members to live independently and with dignity. providers will be available throughout Victoria. The program In 1998 the Department commenced the process of organising targets people who are over 40 years of age, Koories, people the provision of expanded and enhanced personal response of non-English speaking background and Year 10 students. services. A Communications Strategy was developed in October 1998 to raise awareness of VICPACS and ensure clients, their carers, service providers and assessors were fully informed Housing Week of this important program. The second annual Housing Week was held in late February 1999, and was launched by the Minister for Housing, the Seniors Expo ‘99 Hon Ann Henderson. The Minister also launched ‘At Home’, Australia’s largest and most successful Seniors Expo was held a celebration of Victoria’s public housing community. This book during Senior Citizens Week in March 1999. The Royal Exhibition tells the stories of 18 public rental tenants in pictures and Buildings housed a vast array of business, government and words. In addition to this book, other promotional products community exhibitors offering practical assistance, information included the Housing Week Poster and Calendar, listing and displays on everything imaginable. A highlight this year approximately 160 events conducted by over 80 groups was the eye-catching Departmental stand which focussed in 88 locations across Victoria. 1998–1999 on the International Year of Older Persons. Free gentle massages attracted large numbers, while many enjoyed the ‘Getting better with age’ fridge magnets they received
Annual ReportAnnual after getting their photos taken.
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Appendix 10: Approved Overseas Travel
Andrew Coghlan, National Training Consultant, Disaster Dr Chris Brook, Director, Acute Health Recovery Travel to Hungary in September–October 1998. As President of Travel to USA and Canada in July 1998. Attended the Hazards the International Society for Quality in Health Care Inc. (ISQua) Research Centre Conference and visited various government attended the 15th International ISQua Conference and provided agencies to discuss recovery services. Presented a paper at the a plenary presentation on ‘Motivation for Improvement in International Sociological Association Conference in Montreal Quality in Health Care’. on recovery management in Australia. (Costs met by this Department were for salary only.) Dr Heather Buchan, Assistant Director, Acute Health Travel to United Kingdom and Hungary in September/October Bob Eden, Senior Public Health Engineer, Environmental 1998. Visited health professionals in the United Kingdom and Health, Public Health and Development then attended the 15th International ISQua Conference in the Recall to duty in United Kingdom in July 1998. Attended the capacity of Regional Editor of the Society’s journal and Chair of international conference ‘Treatment Innovation for the Next the Organising Committee for the 1999 Conference. Century: Innovation 2000’. (Costs met by this Department were for salary, expenses and conference fees only.) Ric Marshall, Manager Information and Performance Evaluation, Acute Health Rosemary Lester, Immunisation Coordinator, Public Health Recall to Duty in United Kingdom in October 1998. Attended the and Development 14th International Working Conference of the Patient Travel to United Kingdom in July 1998. Attended a short course Classification Systems/Europe (PCS/E) Organisation and visited entitled ‘Design of vaccination programmes: from sero- the National Casemix Office at the NHS Executive Headquarters epidemiology to cost effectiveness’. in Winchester. (Costs met by this Department were for salary and expenses only.) Brian Kirkby, Manager Policy and Planning, Environmental Health, Public Health and Development Professor John Catford, Director, Public Health and Development Travel to Spain in July 1998. Attended 1st World Congress of Health and Urban Environment and visited various officials from Travel to USA, Switzerland and Italy in September/October other countries on matters of common interest. 1998. Attended the First Annual 5A Day International Symposium on public health and nutrition where he participated Valerie Gerrand, Manager Service Planning and as an invited speaker. Visited WHO Headquarters in Geneva to Development, Mental Health meet with various key personnel and then visited FAO in Rome, again to meet with key personnel and the Australian Travel to United Kingdom in July 1998. Attended the Sainsbury Ambassador. (Part air travel costs met by the U.S. National Centre for Mental Health Summer Conference and visited key Cancer Institute, who convened the Symposium.) mental health services in the UK, including the Maudsley Hospital. Minister Rob Knowles, Minister for Health and Minister for Aged Care Anita Wood, Infrastructure Investment Unit, Acute Health Ron Wilson, Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister for Health Travel to Western Samoa in August 1998. Participated in an and Minister for Aged Care AusAID project designed to assist in health service delivery and Tim Harrop, Assistant Director Export Development, management in Western Samoa. (Costs met by this Department Corporate Strategy were for salary only.) Travel to The Philippines in November 1998. Attended the ‘All the best from Australia’ promotion with the Trade and Michael Westaway, Project Archaeologist, Aboriginal Investment Forum. (Note: Proposed travel to Indonesia to attend Affairs the Indonesia Hospital Association National Seminar and 10th Recall to duty in United Kingdom in August 1998. Attended a Hospital Expo was postponed due to unrest in that country.) human skeletal palaeopathology course being conducted at the University of Bradford, England. (Costs met by this Department Howard Ronaldson, Director, Housing were for salary and tuition fees only.) Travel to China and Philippines in October 1998. Attended the
1998 Strategic Leadership Program ‘Leading Australia’s future in Annual Report Professor John Catford, Director, Public Health and Asia’ followed by a study tour to Beijing and Manila. Development Travel to Singapore in August–September 1998. Attended the 1998–1999 3rd International Heart Health Conference at which Professor Catford was a keynote speaker.
153 Appendices
Minister Ann Henderson, Minister for Housing and Dr Chris Brook, Director, Acute Health Aboriginal Affairs Travel to Vietnam in April 1999. Presenter at the Equity Oriented John Baring, Ministerial Adviser, Office of the Minister for Strategies for Health Care Conference in Vietnam. Housing and Aboriginal Affairs Howard Ronaldson, Director, Housing Dr John Carnie, Head of Disease Control, Public Health Travel to Singapore, United Kingdom and USA in December and Development 1998. This trip included visits to examine inner-city estate Travel to USA in June 1999. Attended Harvard School of Public redevelopment and responses to homelessness. Health’s Summer Sessions on ‘Research Synthesis and Meta- Analysis—Applications in Public Health and Clinical Medicine’ Dr Theo Vos, Senior Regional Epidemiologist, Public and ‘The Economics of Health Policy’ followed by a visit to Health and Development Atlanta Centre for Disease Control to meet with experts in Travel to USA and Netherlands in December 1998. Attended the Gastrointestinal Diseases Branch. the International Burden of Disease Network and met with researchers in the Netherlands who are actively involved in Christina Fleischer, Manager Child Protection, Youth and the Burden of Disease methodology. Family Services Travel to Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in June 1999. Mike Debinski, Provider Manager, Eastern Metropolitan Participate as Team Leader in the Australian Agency for Region International Development (AusAID) mission to identify Recall to duty in Canada in January 1999. Undertook a range of the extent of child abuse problems and issues requiring visits to local community service centres which provide a range immediate attention. of health and community services servicing local communities. Andrejs Zamurs, Director, Disability Services Tim Harrop, Assistant Director Export Development, Travel to Malaysia in June 1999. Attended the Third World Corporate Strategy Conference on Rural Health, where he made a presentation David Anderson, Financial Analysis and Purchasing to the Conference on Australian Rural Health: Victorian Manager, Acute Health Contexts and Initiatives in the late Twentieth Century. Travel to Indonesia in March 1999. Attended PERSI HealthCare Conference and Exhibition and met with various Indonesian Health Department officers.
Minister Rob Knowles, Minister for Health and Minister for Aged Care, Ron Wilson, Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister for Health and Minister for Aged Care Travel to USA in March 1999. Attended the International Policy Conference on Children and Tobacco and visited the Johns Hopkins Centre in Baltimore, and other medical and community health centres in New York.
Ray Judd, Assistant Director, Social and Environmental Health Travel to USA in March 1999. Accompanied the Minister for Health to attend the International Policy Conference on Children and Tobacco and visited the Johns Hopkins Centre in Baltimore, and other medical and community health centres in New York. Met with officials of the Department of Health, New York State.
Rosemary Calder, Manager Aged Services Redevelopment, Aged, Community and Mental Health Travel to China in April 1999. Presenter at the International Psychogeriatric Association Beijing Joint Meeting on ‘Building a pathway to excellence in dementia care—Policy development
1998–1999 and implementation: experiences from Victoria, Australia.’ Annual ReportAnnual
154 Appendices
Appendix 11: Administration of Acts
Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs Optometrists Registration Act 1996 Aboriginal Lands Act 1970 Osteopaths Registration Act 1996 Archeological and Aboriginal Relics Act 1972 Pathology Services Accreditation Act 1984
Minister for Health Pharmacists Act 1974 Alcoholics and Drug-dependent Persons Act 1968—Excluding: Physiotherapists Registration Act 1998
■ Sections 11, 14 and 15 (these provisions are administered by Podiatrists Registration Act 1997 the Attorney-General) Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research Act 1988 Ambulance Services Act 1986 Psychologists Registration Act 1987 Anglican Welfare Agency Act 1997 Royal Melbourne Hospital (Redevelopment) Act 1992— Baker Medical Research Institute Act 1980 Excluding:
Cancer Act 1958 ■ Section 7 (which is administered by the Minister for Education) Cemeteries Act 1958 State Trustees (State Owned Company) Act 1994 Chiropractors Registration Act 1996 Part 4 (the Act is otherwise administered by the Treasurer) Dental Practice Act 1999 Therapeutic Goods (Victoria) Act 1994 Dental Technicians Act 1972 Tobacco Act 1987 Dentists Act 1972
Disability Services Act 1991— Minister for Housing
■ Jointly administered with the Minister for Youth and Housing Act 1983—Excluding: Community Services ■ Part VI (these provisions are administered by the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981—Excluding: Attorney-General)
■ Part 4A (these provisions are administered by the Minister for Residential Tenancies Act 1997 - Excluding: Agriculture and Resources) Sections 24-25, 27, 32-33, 45-48, 74-77, 82, 90-91, 102-103, 104(1), 104(4)-(5), 105(2)-(3), 124, 128, 130-134, 141-212, Epworth Foundation Act 1980 214-215, 230, 232-234, 241, 277, 291-321, 322-333, 335-341, Food Act 1984 343-357, 358, 359-366, 373-376, 385, 388, 390, 395-398, 400-439, 474(2), 486-504, 506-511 (these provisions are Health Act 1958—Excluding: administered by the Minister for Fair Trading) ■ Part IX (these provisions are administered by the Minister for Section 66(1) (this is administered jointly by the Minister Youth and Community Services); for Housing and the Minister for Fair Trading) ■ Part XIII (these provisions are administered by the Minister Sections 440-485 (these provisions are administered by for Planning and Local Government); the Attorney-General) Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 Sections 512-527 (these provisions are administered by Health Services Act 1988 the Minister for Planning and Local Government) Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Act 1987 Minister for Youth and Community Services Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Adoption Act 1984— Medicine Act 1971 ■ (Jointly and separately administered with the Human Tissue Act 1982 Attorney-General) Infertility Treatment Act 1995 Children and Young Persons Act 1989— Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund Act 1996 ■ (Jointly and separately administered with the Annual Report Annual Report Medical Practice Act 1994 Attorney General) Medical Treatment Act 1988 Children's Services Act 1996
Mental Health Act 1986 1998–1999 Nurses Act 1993
155 Appendices
Community Services Act 1970—Excluding: Dental Practice Act 1999
■ Division 8A of Part III and section 203 where it relates to This Act constitutes part of the on-going review of health the administration of these provisions - (these provisions practitioner registration Acts in Victoria. are administered by the Minister for Education) It repeals the Dentists Act 1972 and the Dental Technicians Act ■ Division 9 of Part III and section 203 where it relates to 1972 and replaces those Acts with a new legislative framework the administration of these provisions (these provisions governing the professional practice of providers of dental care are administered by the Minister for Industry Science services in Victoria. and Technology) Among other things, the Act establishes a Dental Practice ■ Sections 201 and 202 insofar as they relate to the Board of Victoria and provides for the registration of dental administration of Division 9 of Part III and of section 203 care providers with the Board. where it relates to the administration of that Division The Board is vested with appropriate powers to conduct (these provisions are administered by the Minister for investigations and inquiries into the professional conduct and Industry Science and Technology) fitness to practice of dental care providers. Disability Services Act 1991— Health Services (Further Amendment) Act 1998 ■ (Jointly administered with the Minister for Health) The purposes of this Act, which amends the Health Services Girl Guides Association Act 1952 Act 1988, are— Health Act 1958— a to provide that trusts in relation to a registered funded agency ■ Part IX; are not affected by any amalgamation or aggregation of that agency or any declaration of a multi purpose service; and ■ (the remaining provisions are separately administered by the Minister for Health and the Minister for Planning and b to amend the provisions relating to Medicare principles; and Local Government) c to enable the removal of directors of metropolitan hospitals Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services Act 1986 during their term of office; and MacKillop Family Services Act 1998 d to make miscellaneous amendments to provisions relating Pre-School Teachers and Assistants (Leave) Act 1984 to multi purpose services and amalgamated and aggregated Scout Association Act 1932 bodies.
Sentencing Act 1991— MacKillop Family Services Act 1998
■ Part 3 (Subdivision 4 of Division 2 and Division 6) are jointly MacKillop Family Services Limited was incorporated under the administered by the Attorney-General and the Minister for Corporations Law of Victoria on 28 April 1997 to undertake the Youth and Community Services (the remaining provisions are management and control of certain child, youth and family care administered by the Attorney-General, except Division 3 of services conducted in Victoria by or under the auspices of: Part 3 of the Act which is jointly administered by the Attorney-General and the Minister for Corrections) a the Christian Brothers St Patricks Province Australia; and State Concessions Act 1986 b the Melbourne Congregation of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia; and Legislation Enacted c the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart of the Victorian During the 1998–1999 financial year, a total of six Bills, Province. introduced by or on behalf of Ministers in the Human Services portfolio, were enacted by the Parliament. The purposes of this Act are— These are briefly described (in alphabetical order) below. i to make provision for the vesting in MacKillop of certain property given for charitable purposes; and Ambulance Services (Further Amendment) Act 1999 The purposes of this Act, which amends the Ambulance Services ii to provide that certain gifts and trusts for charitable Act 1986, are— purposes do not fail but have effect as if made or declared to or in favour of MacKillop; and a to make further provision for ambulance services in Victoria; and iii to enable MacKillop to establish investment pools for the collective investment of trust funds for charitable purposes. b to abolish the Victorian Ambulance Board and the Ambulance 1998–1999 Officers Training Centre; and c to make consequential amendments to other Acts. Annual ReportAnnual
156 Appendices
Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1999 Podiatrists Registration Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. 155/1998) The purpose of this Act, which amends the Mental Health Act Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Amendment) 1986, is to— Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. 159/1998) a make provision for community support services, funded by Tobacco (1999 Australian Grand Prix) Regulations 1998 the Secretary of the Department, to provide care or support (S.R. No. 160/1998) designed to assist people with a mental disorder, wherever Physiotherapists (Further Qualifications) Regulations 1998 possible, to live, work and participate in the community; (S.R. No. 167/1998) b establish a quality assurance committee to oversee and Health (Exempt Businesses) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 monitor standards of mental health services; and (S.R. No. 21/1999) c implement a number of administrative changes to the Physiotherapists (Qualifications) Regulations 1999 legislative structure of the Act so as to improve the (S.R. No. 23/1999) efficiency of its operation. Adoption (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.R. No. 32/1999) Physiotherapists Registration Act 1998 Subordinate Legislation (Cemeteries Regulations 1988 - This Act constitutes part of the on-going review of health Extension of Operation) Regulations 1999 (S.R. No. 36/1999) practitioner registration Acts in Victoria. Food (Forms, Exemption and Registration Details) Regulations It repeals the Physiotherapists Act 1978 and replaces that 1999 (S.R. No. 37/1999) Act with a new legislative framework governing the practice Subordinate Legislation (Health (Exempt Businesses) of physiotherapy in Victoria. Regulations 1989 - Extension of Operation) Regulations 1999 Among other things, the Act establishes a Physiotherapists (S.R. No. 38/1999) Registration Board of Victoria and provides for the registration Tobacco (Victorian Health Promotion Foundation) (Amendment) of physiotherapists with the Board. Regulations 1999 (S.R. No. 42/1999) The Board is vested with appropriate powers to conduct Physiotherapists Registration Regulations 1999 investigations and inquiries into the professional conduct and (S.R. No. 43/1999) fitness to practice of members of the profession. Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1999 (S.R. No. 44/1999) Statutory Rules Made Tobacco (Labelling) Regulations 1999 (S.R. No. 87/1999) During the year, a total of 24 statutory rules were made by the Most of the regulations made during the year were of a Governor in Council on the recommendation of Ministers within fundamentally machinery nature or extended the operation the Human Services portfolio. of an existing statutory rule pending the finalisation of the This is seven less than were made last financial year. reviews being conducted into their parent Acts. The statutory rules made during the year (in order of making) However, seven new principal regulations were made during were: the year. These, in alphabetical order, are:
Cemeteries (Incorporation of Trusts) (Amendment) Regulations Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1999 (S.R. No. 44/1999) 1998 (S.R. No. 96/1998) The Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1999 replace the Health Cemeteries (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. 98/1998) (Immunisation) Regulations 1990 as from 1 January 2000. Tobacco (Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix) Regulations 1998 These regulations are made under the Health Act 1958. The (S.R. No. 119/1998) Health Act provides for the parents or guardians of a child, Mental Health Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. 120/1998) attending primary school for the first time, to produce to the principal of the school a certificate that indicates the Health Services (Residential Care) (Amendment) Regulations immunisation status in relation to certain infectious diseases 1998 (S.R. No. 131/1998) for that child. An immunisation status certificate is issued by Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Optometrists) local councils as part of their role in the universal immunisation Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. 132/1998) of children. The Act also provides an exemption process should the parents or guardians of the child have a conscientious Health (Infectious Diseases) (Notification) Regulations 1998 objection to the immunisation of their child. (S.R. No. 133/1998)
The Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1999 prescribe the Annual Report Pharmacists (Fees) Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. 135/1998) infectious diseases that a child should be immunised against, Dentists (Fees) Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. 139/1998) the meaning of the term immunised, the form of the immunisation status certificate, the records that need to be kept Psychologists Registration (Fees) Regulations 1998 1998–1999 by local councils and primary schools and the details concerning (S.R. No. 147/1998) access to the relevant records held by primary schools.
157 Appendices
Mental Health Regulations 1998 (S.R. No 120/1998) c the information which must appear on a certificate of registration. The Mental Health Regulations 1998 replace the Mental Health Regulations 1987. These details are prescribed by the Physiotherapists Registration Regulations 1999. While the Mental Health Act 1986 sets out the principles relating to the provision of mental health services, it leaves a Tobacco (1999 Australian Grand Prix) Regulations 1999 number of matters to be prescribed by regulation. (S.R. No 160/1998) These include statements of patients rights in relation to a These regulations were made under the Tobacco Act 1987. variety of mental health services, the prescription of various forms, fees and other process details required in relation to the These regulations prescribe the restrictions which applied to provision of a mental health services in Victoria. tobacco advertising at the Australian Grand Prix held at Albert Park in 1999. These are prescribed by the Mental Health Regulations 1998. The regulations apply, insofar as Victoria has jurisdiction, the Podiatrists Registration Regulations 1998 (S.R. No. restrictions applied by the Commonwealth under section 18 of 155/1998) the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 (Commonwealth). These regulations were made under the new Podiatrists Tobacco (Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix) Regulations Registration Act 1997 which, in turn, replaced the Chiropodists 1998 (S.R. No 119/1998) Act 1968. These regulations were made under the Tobacco Act 1987. The new Act establishes, and incorporates, a new Podiatrists Registration Board of Victoria. These regulations prescribe the restrictions which applied to tobacco advertising at the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix It also contains various new provisions relating to the held at Phillip Island in 1998. registration of podiatrists and the practice of the profession. The regulations apply, insofar as Victoria has jurisdiction, the Under the Act, certain matters of detail need to be prescribed by restrictions applied by the Commonwealth under section 18 of regulation. the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 (Commonwealth). These are— Tobacco (Labelling) Regulations 1999 (S.R. No 87/1999) a the form of application for registration as a podiatrist; These regulations were made under the Tobacco Act 1987. They b the particulars to be maintained on the register of podiatrists; replace the former Tobacco (Cigarette Packaging Labelling) and Regulations 1993. d the particulars which must appear on a certificate of The regulations prescribe the labelling requirements that apply registration. to retail tobacco products sold in Victoria. The above details are prescribed by the Podiatrists Registration The regulations incorporate and apply, insofar as Victoria has Regulations 1998. jurisdiction, the appropriate requirements contained in the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Information Standards) (Tobacco) Physiotherapists Registration Regulations 1999 (S.R. No. Regulations 1994 of the Commonwealth. 43/1999) These regulations were made under the new Physiotherapists Registration Act 1998 which, in turn, replaced the Physiotherapists Act 1978. The new Act establishes, and incorporates, a new Physiotherapists Registration Board of Victoria. It also contains various new provisions relating to the registration of physiotherapists and the practice of the profession. Under the new Act, certain matters of detail are left to be prescribed by regulation. These are— a the information to be contained in an application for
1998–1999 registration as a physiotherapist; b the information to be maintained on the register of physiotherapists; and Annual ReportAnnual
158 Notes Annual Report Annual Report 1998–1999
159 Notes 1998–1999 Annual ReportAnnual
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