4280 1 Year in Review

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 ReportAnnual 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,

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