1996-1997
1.3: Health Research and Information
The 1996-97 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Family Services portfolio.
Objective
- To contribute to the pool of health knowledge which may be used to develop better strategies to improve the well-being of Australians.
Goals
- Research and research training which has the potential to improve the health and well-being of the population.
- Provision of strategic and high level scientific advice, guidelines and information on health matters to government, other stakeholders and the community.
Strategies
- Funding of applications for new and continuing research in all fields of health, in accordance with stated ethical and scientific standards, on the basis of peer review through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
- Funding of health and medical institutions to undertake research, analyse research outcomes and disseminate information.
- Funding of training of new researchers and career support for established researchers through the NHMRC.
- Development of evidence-based advice and guidelines on health policy, practice and ethical issues.
- Provision of management advice to the Minister as requested on matters of immediate national importance.
- Completion of review of NHMRC strategies and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Performance Indicators and Targets
Effectiveness
- Per cent of research and training funding support provided in areas which correspond with Australia's National Health Goals and Targets and other identified health priority areas. Targets:
- Funding of cardiovascular, mental health and cancer research at similar levels to those of the previous three years.
- Funding of injury research increased above level of previous three years.
- Funding of research into the priority area of indigenous health increased above funding level in 1995-96.
- Collect baseline data on medical and health research effort in diabetes.
- Per cent of NHMRC-funded scholars and training fellows successfully completing research training and subsequently pursuing careers, especially in Australia, in health research or in other areas of the health sector.
Target: 95 per cent. - Extent to which policy and practice in the Australian health care system can be demonstrated to be drawing on the outputs of national and international research and other relevant information.
Efficiency
- The cost of administration as a percentage of total health research programme funds.
Target: Costs reduced from those of 1995-96. - Proportion of advisory projects completed within the agreed project costs and timeframes.
Target: 90 per cent of projects completed within agreed project costs and timeframes. - Proportion of responses to ministerial requests for management advice within specified time.
Target: 100 percent.
Quality
- Percent of funded grants resulting in published peer-reviewed journal articles.
Target: Collect baseline data. - Formulation of advisory reports based on systematic reviews of best available national and international evidence; quality of evidence ratings stated.
Target: 100 per cent of all NHMRC clinical practice guidelines adhere to the standards in "Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines". - NHMRC and NHMRC-funded institutes, centres and units, when reviewed, demonstrate national and international prominence as foci of expertise and leadership in their respective fields and funding renewed.
Equity
- Relevance of health research and advice to improving health outcomes for specified target groups.
Budget Measures
Election Commitments
National Health and Medical Research Council - Increased FundingFinancial Implications
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
1.0 | 1.0 | 1.6 | - |
Purpose of Measure
To enhance Australia's current public health research effort by strengthening the ability of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to support public health and preventive care research.Expected Implementation Strategies for Measure
The additional funding will be allocated in January 1997 for research applications received and assessed during 1996 as part of NHMRC's annual research grant process.Intended Impacts of Measure
This initiative will expand the NHMRC Public Health Research Programme and ensure that high quality public health and preventive care research is funded.Establishment of Centres of Clinical Excellence in Hospitals
Financial Implications
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
1.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
Purpose of Measure
To foster clinical research in the hospital setting, thereby improving the capacity to translate medical research into clinical practice.Expected Implementation Strategies for Measure
Criteria for the establishment of centres will be developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Proposals for funding will be called for in early 1997.Intended Impacts of Measure
This initiative will facilitate the progress of the practice of evidence-based medicine and lead to the acceptance of more appropriate, cost-effective health care practices.Across-the-Board Reduction of 2% in Running Costs
1996-97 $m | 1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-00 $m |
-0.1 | -0.1 | -0.1 | -0.1 |
Top of page
