Outcome 10: Health System Capacity and Quality

Outcome 10 aims to improve the capacity, coordination and quality of the Australian health system.

To help achieve this in 2007–08, the Department managed programs under Outcome 10 aimed at providing high quality health infrastructure to improve the prevention, early detection and management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes or cancer, and providing help for those living with cancer and their carers. The Department also delivered initiatives to improve access to the best available support and care for the terminally ill.

The Department focused on improving e-Health infrastructure, strengthening the inter-jurisdictional coordination of e-Health development and improving the quality and safety of the health system. The Department also engaged in international policy to help improve the quality and capacity of the Australian system, and supported medical research to ensure Australia’s research institutions maintain their competitive edge.

This chapter reports on the major activities undertaken by the Department during the year, addressing each of the key strategic directions and performance indicators published in the Outcome 10 chapters of the 2007–08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements and 2007–08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

Outcome 10 was managed in 2007–08 by the Population Health Division, Portfolio Strategies Division, Primary and Ambulatory Care Division and the Regulatory Policy and Governance Division.