Outcome 10: Health System Capacity and Quality > Part 2 Performance Information

An additional 16 items were listed under the Palliative Care Section of the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits during 2006–07. These medicines will be provided in greater quantities at a reduced price for people receiving palliative care.

Also in 2006–07, 15 new services joined the Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration.

Phase 2 of the National Health and Medical Research Council Palliative Care Research Program was completed and resulted in 25 research grants, 10 postgraduate scholarships and fellowships, and 2 research workshops.

In June 2007, a record number of 35,693 visits were made to the CareSearch website accessible at <www.caresearch.com.au>. This is double the number of visits made in May 2007, and a sixfold increase from July 2006.

The National Diabetes Indicators are in the final stages of development and have not been reported against in 2006–07. A report on the National Indicators for Diabetes was developed in 2006–07 and was released in August 2007.

During 2006–07, the Department finalised contracts for the development of new National Health and Medical Research Council endorsed evidence-based guidelines for type 2 diabetes. Funding was also provided to the National Institute of Clinical Studies to develop an implementation plan for the type 2 diabetes evidence-based guidelines to assist uptake by consumers and relevant professions.

During 2006–07, the Department increased the range of programs/initiatives to prevent type 2 diabetes or to modify the prevalence of type 2 diabetes risk factors. This included seed funding for a National Walking Initiative and funding for a chronic kidney disease early detection pilot study.

The Department continued to work collaboratively with states and territories and non-government organisations, through its Broadband for Health, Managed Health Network and HealthConnect programs to provide and expand infrastructure that allows clinicians greater access to electronic clinical communications.

Broadband for Health Program take up by eligible general practices (including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Royal Flying Doctor Service sites) increased 3.6%, from 58.0% to 62.0%, and community pharmacy take up increased 8.2%, from 80.0% to 88.0%.

In 2006–07 there were over 14,000 information items on the websites of 84 Information Partners. HealthInsite Information Partners are authoritative health organisations that have gone through a quality assessment process to ensure that their sites are of the highest standard and provide reliable and relevant information.

There was approximately 18.0% growth in the use of HealthInsite from 2006 to 2007. Technical upgrades on the HealthInsite program improved user access, speed, and a clearer display of search results.

There has been a 5.0% increase in 2006–07 (from 68.0% to 73.0%) in the number of health care organisations accessing the Broadband for Health Program.

Access to the program by eligible practices has increased by 3.6% to 62.0% in 2006–07 and for pharmacies by 8.2% to 88.0% in 2006–07.

• accelerate the development of agreed Clinical Terminologies for health communications;
• develop an Individual Healthcare Identifier for all individuals; and
• develop a Healthcare Provider Identifier for healthcare professionals.

In accordance with Australia’s domestic priorities, the Department continued to have significant input into decisions made by global organisations, such as the World Health Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in international health policy. The feedback the Department received from these organisations assisted in the development of domestic health policy, for example, avian influenza virus sharing.

The Department continued to strengthen its engagement in the region by taking a prominent role in the management of the Pacific Senior Health Officials’ Network and the Papua New Guinea-Australia Cross Border Health Issues Committee, and successfully hosted the APEC Health Ministers’ Meeting.

In 2006–07, the Department commissioned and completed developmental research on community awareness of asthma and best practice asthma management. This research informed the development and campaign concept for a national asthma awareness campaign launched in May 2007. The results of this research are accessible at <www.health.gov.au>.

The Department provided funding to Campbell Research and Consulting for the Community Attitudes Towards Palliative Care report in August 2006; and the subsequent National Community Education Initiative to raise awareness of palliative care in Australia which commenced in May 2007.

• established the Asthma Expert Advisory Committee, the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Expert Advisory Committee and the Diabetes Expert Advisory Committee to provide advice on the development and implementation of relevant programs. Subject experts, medical professionals and consumers are represented on these committees; and
• established an asthma awareness reference group to provide advice and assistance in the development of a national asthma awareness campaign in conjunction with an expert advisory group and a technical working group.

In 2006–07 the Department developed a Funding Agreement for the Consumer Health Forum, Health Consumers Network Project. This project intends to accelerate and influence government investment in the e-Health agenda by driving consumer demand for a shared Electronic Health Record and participation in e-Health initiatives.

In addition, the forum has advocated consumer representative participation in the Broadband for Health Working Groups, Australian Health Information Council, the National E-Health Transition Authority and HealthConnect. The consumer participation provides input on the strategic directions of e-Health initiatives.

The forum has also established a steering committee chaired by a member of the forum’s Governing Committee, and four or five consumers and forum representatives to support and guide the e-Health Consumers’ Network Project. In 2006–07 the project has seen:

• 5 consumer consultation sessions between March and June 2007 held in Victoria, the Northern Territory and western Sydney; and
• the development of an e-Health assessment criteria, and measures for consumer impact assessments for tools, clinical knowledge sources and health programs based on practical examples.