Outcome 3: Access to Medical Services

Outcome 3 aims to provide Australians with access to the medical services they need to manage their health.

During 2007–08, the Department delivered initiatives under Outcome 3 to help people have access to medical, diagnostic imaging and pathology services; and promote better access to radiation therapy for cancer patients. The Department also helped ensure that the Medicare Benefits Schedule was kept up-to-date with changes in clinical practice, and worked with the medical profession to ensure that the schedule reflected and encouraged appropriate clinical practice.

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 3 chapters of the 2007–08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements and 2007–08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

The Medicare Benefits Division was responsible for Outcome 3 in 2007–08. The Primary and Ambulatory Care Division also contributed to this outcome.