1999-2000
Part B - Portfolio Overview
The 1999-2000 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.
Portfolio Mission
The services provided by the Health and Aged Care Portfolio are delivered through ten Portfolio Outcomes.
The Department of Health and Aged Care pursues the achievement of the Portfolio Outcomes in association with other agencies in the Portfolio: the Health Insurance Commission, Australian Hearing Services, the Private Health Insurance Administration Council, the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, the Professional Services Review Scheme, the Australia New Zealand Food Authority, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority.
The Portfolio of Health and Aged Care has a diverse set of responsibilities, but throughout there is a common purpose, which is reflected in the mission statement:
- We lead the development and implementation of health and aged care services policy to achieve Government policy and directions.
- provides expert policy advice and analysis to the Government;
- implements Government policy in a way that addresses both individual and population needs and focuses on quality and outcomes;
- communicates information about health and aged care services and Government policy reforms;
- promotes planning which is focused on outcomes for individuals and communities;
- promotes investment in prevention and early intervention and incentives for effective, best practice service delivery;
- supports world class health and medical research, and keeps up with advances in technology;
- encourages new approaches to information management and communication to support better health care and health outcomes, and better policy making;
- works in partnership with the States and Territories to set objectives, priorities, strategic directions and benchmarks, provide funding, define performance standards, monitor and report on performance against agreed outcomes for the whole health and aged care services system; and
- works in partnership with our stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high quality, consumer focused and cost-effective services.
- The leader in promoting, developing and funding world class health and aged care services for all Australians.
- measurable improvements in the health status of the Australian population, particularly our most disadvantaged groups;
- an active and healthy population with choice for individuals to manage their own health care;
- a nationally coherent health system which provides both choice and universal access and allows regional and state variations;
- high quality services that reflect evidence of best practice including a systematic approach to improvement through trials and innovation;
- quality aged care and choice for individuals to manage their own ageing; and
- a targeted approached to disease management and to addressing health risks of particular individuals and communities.
- continued improvements in life expectancy for both males and females over time;
- further reductions in infant mortality rates over time;
- additional improvements in health expectancy rates over time;
- improved life expectancy, health expectancy and infant mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders so that they are comparable with the general population; and
- improved life expectancy, health expectancy and infant mortality rates for low income Australians so that they are comparable with the general population.
Ministerial Responsibilities
The Hon Dr Michael Wooldridge MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care
As Senior Minister, Dr Wooldridge has final responsibility for all portfolio policy issues with significant budgetary or strategic implications.As portfolio Minister, Dr Wooldridge has overall responsibility for the portfolio, including Cabinet, and has specific responsibility for:
- Medicare benefits, hospitals, private health insurance and medical workforce issues;
- public health, including issues concerning AIDS and other communicable diseases, immunisation, specific women's and men's health issues, environmental health issues and drug abuse reduction;
- health research;
- Aboriginal health issues;
- Commonwealth - State relationships in the portfolio;
- strategic policy analysis and evaluation, corporate leadership and resource management; and
- the Health Insurance Commission
The Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP, Minister for Aged Care
Mrs Bishop has specific responsibility for:- aged and community care; and
- Australian Hearing Services.
Senator Grant Tambling, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Aged Care
Senator Tambling provides administrative assistance to Dr Wooldridge. On behalf of Dr Wooldridge, Senator Tambling takes particular responsibility for:- Therapeutic Goods Administration;
- administrative aspects for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme;
- Australian New Zealand Food Authority;
- Health Services Australia; and
- general support with regard to:
- ministerial correspondence; and
- Aboriginal Health in Northern Australia.
Portfolio Summary - The Year Ahead
In 1999-2000 the portfolio will continue to address the health and aged care needs of the Australian community, and to respond to Government policy priorities in this arena.
A fundamental principle of Australia's health care system is access for all Australians to appropriate, quality care based on need. The portfolio endeavours to support strategies that achieve the right balance between meeting the needs of the individual while maintaining a whole of population perspective.
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Australia has a tradition of excellence in health and medical research, which is critical to the good quality of health that Australians enjoy. The recent strategic review of health and medical research creates a vision for research in Australia, which will contribute directly to an effective evidence based health care system. Achieving this vision requires closer collaboration and communication between researchers, health professionals, industry and the Australian community. The portfolio is putting in place strategies and funding arrangements to bring about these changes in the research sector and build stronger links with industries and philanthropic organisations. In the area of health ethics, the National Health and Medical Research Council, through the Australian Health Ethics Committee, will further enhance its leadership role, particularly in relation to human genome research.
The Government's population health initiatives aim to analyse and respond to the determinants of disease and promote good health. In 1999-2000, there will be a focus on reducing the adverse health impact of illicit and licit drug use, communicable diseases and vaccine preventable conditions in the community. The portfolio has a continued commitment to allocating resources to the national health priority areas, including researching the prevention and treatment of asthma and diabetes. The Commonwealth will also increase its investment in the planning and management of mental health issues throughout the community.
The portfolio will continue to investigate ways to deliver cost-effective and quality care to Australians. In 1999-2000, there will be a sustained focus on developing alternative models of health care delivery that encourage integrated, patient-centred care across a range of services and settings. The existing Coordinated Care Trials, which pool financial and professional resources, will be extended and further developed in the coming year to provide multidisciplinary care planning and improved health and well-being for people with chronic or complex health conditions. In line with the commitment to focussing on consumers needs and views, consumer involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care will also be strengthened in the coming year.
A major challenge in 1999-2000 and in future years will be to implement a range of initiatives that will continue to increase the availability of quality health care services in rural and remote regions. Increasingly, services are being tailored to rural conditions and infrastructure, and to specific local health needs. Additional Regional Health Service Centres, based on the effective multipurpose service model, will be established in rural and remote regions over coming years to provide a comprehensive range of services through a central facility. There will also be on going development of workforce training strategies in rural and remote areas, including pharmacy, midwifery and emergency care courses. Greater emphasis will be placed on rural medical training, by continuing support for specialist training posts, through continued expansion of Departments of Rural Health, and the establishment of regional medical schools.
Improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will continue to be a major priority for the portfolio. There is an underlying awareness at all levels of health service planning that traditional medical services are not fully addressing the clinical and social needs of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Progressively increasing resources will be directed towards improving the access of Indigenous peoples to comprehensive primary health care services utilising a multidisciplinary approach. Partnerships between Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, and the Indigenous community will be strengthened over the coming year. Additional strategies to attract and retain specialised health professionals in remote regions, and the development of more innovative service delivery models will be explored in 1999-2000.
The Government is committed to producing a viable private health sector that will complement the public health system, offer Australians greater choice in health care options, and ensure a sustainable and balanced health system for the future. In 1999-2000, proposed reforms to the private health insurance industry will endeavour to improve the attractiveness of private health insurance, to increase the efficiency of the private health insurance sector, and to minimise the effects of adverse selection by certain sectors of the community.
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An increasing proportion of Australia's population will require aged care services and facilities over the next twenty to thirty years. The portfolio will provide leadership in developing reforms to promote efficient and cost-effective care to the elderly that will not compromise quality. In 1999-2000 these reforms will build on flexible solutions to care, such as more integrated care across acute and residential care, and packages to support the frail aged choosing to remain in their own homes under the supervision of carers. Activities associated with the International Year of Older Persons will promote healthy and active ageing, and highlight the significant contributions of older Australians to the community. The Office for Older Australians will initiate a National Strategy for an Ageing Australia during the coming year to strategically assess long term policy issues associated with an ageing population.
The portfolio will also be involved in the implementation of the Government's tax reform package with regard to the health and aged care sector. This will include consultations with State and Territory Governments, relevant professional associations and industry groups, and with the Australian Taxation Office. This involvement will include providing practical assistance, with other relevant government agencies, to the health and aged care sectors, particularly charitable organisations, in managing the implementation of these reforms.
To take advantage of rapid advances in information technology and information management, the portfolio will be looking at a number of strategies to promote information technology systems across the health sector, enhancing communication amongst health professionals and community groups and providing better information to consumers. The portfolio will also explore how better information systems might improve the quality and effectiveness of health care. Emphasis will also be placed on developing simplified electronic solutions to confidential data collection, retrieval and analysis.
From an internal perspective, we will build on the collaboration between agencies in the portfolio and beyond to ensure planning and implementation of best practice health and aged care is achieved. The portfolio is currently managing a transition to an outcomes structure which will have implications for policy and planning, reporting processes and financial management during the initial months of 1999-2000.
More detailed information about the portfolio's planned activities are found under the outcome summary of each chapter.
Portfolio Outcome Structure for 1999-2000
| Outcome | Agencies Or Divisions Responsible |
| 1. Population Health And Safety
Protection and promotion of the health of all Australians and minimisation of the incidence and severity of preventable mortality, illness, injury and disability. | Population Health Division
Health Insurance Commission* Therapeutics Goods Administration Australia New Zealand Food Authority Australian Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Agency |
| 2. Access to Medicare
Access through Medicare to cost-effective medical services, medicines and acute health care for all Australians. | Health Access and Financing Division
Health Insurance Commission* Professional Services Review |
| 3. Choice through Private Health Insurance
A viable private health insurance industry to improve the choice of health services for Australians. | Portfolio Strategies Division
Private Health Insurance Administration Council Private Health Insurance Ombudsman Health Insurance Commission* |
| 4. Quality Health Care
Improved quality, integration and effectiveness of health care. | Health Services Division |
| 5. Rural Health Care
Improved health outcomes for Australians living in regional, rural and remote locations. | Health Services Division |
| 6. Hearing Services
Reduced consequences of hearing loss for eligible Australians and a reduced incidence of hearing loss in the broader community. | Aged and Community Care Division
Australian Hearing Services* Health Insurance Commission* |
| 7. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Improved health status for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. | Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health |
| 8. Enhanced Quality of Life for Older Australians
Support for positive and healthy ageing and high quality and cost-effective care for frail older people, people with disabilities, and their carers. | Aged and Community Care Division
Aged Care Standards Agency* |
| 9. Health Investment
Knowledge, information and training for developing better strategies to improve the health of Australians. | Office of the National Health & Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council Australian Institute of Health and Welfare |
| 10. Portfolio Leadership
Leadership and management of the Department to ensure development and implementation of world class policy and practices for health and aged care services for all Australians. | Departmental Executive Unit
Portfolio Strategies Division Corporate Services Division |
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Map of Portfolio Outcomes to the 1998-1999 Program Structure
| Outcome | 1998-99 Program Structure |
| 1.Population Health And Safety
Protection and promotion of the health of all Australians and minimisation of the incidence and severity of preventable mortality, illness, injury and disability. | 1.1 Public Health Development and Programs (part)
1.2 Health Regulation |
| 2. Access to Medicare
Access through Medicare to cost-effective medical services, medicines and acute health care for all Australians. | 2.1 Medicare Benefits and General Practice Development (part)
2.2 Pharmaceutical Benefits 2.3 Acute Care (part) |
| 3. Choice through Private Health Insurance
A viable private health insurance industry to improve the choice of health services for Australians. | 2.3 Acute Care (part) |
| 4. Quality Health Care
Improved quality, integration and effectiveness of health care. | 1.1 Public Health Development and Programs (part)
2.1 Medicare Benefits and General Practice Development (part) 2.3 Acute Care (part) 2.4 Mental Health 5.2 Corporate Services (part) |
| 5. Rural Health Care
Improved health outcomes for Australians living in regional, rural and remote locations. | 2.3 Acute Care (part)
4.3 Residential Access and Quality (part) |
| 6. Hearing Services
Reduced consequences of hearing loss for eligible Australians and a reduced incidence of hearing loss in the broader community. | 4.5 Hearing Services |
| 7. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Improved health status for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. | 3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health |
| 8. Enhanced Quality of Life for Older Australians
Support for positive and healthy ageing and high quality and cost-effective care for frail older people, people with disabilities, and their carers. | 4.1 Community Care and Support for Carers
4.2 Assessment 4.3 Residential Access and Quality (part) 4.4 Standards Agency |
| 9. Health Investment
Knowledge, information and training for developing better strategies to improve the health of Australians. | 1.3 Health Research and Information
2.1 Medicare Benefits and General Practice Development (part) 2.3 Acute Care (part) 5.4 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare |
| 10. Portfolio Leadership
Leadership and management of theDepartment to ensure development and implementation of world class policy and practices for health and aged care services for all Australians. | 5.1 Executive Services (part)
5.2 Corporate Services (part) |
Note: Program structure reflects the structure in the 1998-99 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.
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APPROPRIATIONS
The total appropriation for the Portfolio in 1999-2000 is $23,844. 318 million. The total appropriations for the Department and the individual Portfolio Agencies are:
Department of Health and Aged Care $23,817.452 million;
Australia New Zealand Food Authority $8.375 million;
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency $8.459 million;
Professional Services Review $3.300 million;
Private Health Insurance Ombudsman $0.950 million; and
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare $8.052 million.
The following Portfolio Agencies do not receive a direct appropriation, but have a purchaser-provider agreement with the Department to provide services. The value of the agreements are:
Health Insurance Commission $378.4 million;
Australian Hearing Services $26.07 million; and
Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency $6.033 million.
The Private Health Insurance Administration Council received $1.308m direct from the private health insurance industry in 1998-99. The Council will not determine its 1999-2000 budget until late May 1999.
Table B1, on the following pages, shows the total appropriations for the Portfolio for 1999-2000 by the ten Government outcomes, by administered expenses and price of outputs. Within each outcome the appropriations to the Department and Agencies are also shown.
Table B1: Appropriations ($'000)
Top of pageNotes to Table B1:
1. The Departmental Expenses reported in each Outcome for 1999-2000 reflect the predicted cost of the outputs to be produced by the relevant areas contributing to the Outcome. The adjustment to the Total Departmental Expenses estimate for 1999-2000 was necessary following refinement of the attribution of Departmental Expenses to the ten Outcomes after the close to the Portoflio's access to the Department of Finance and Administration budget management system. The adjustments reflect, in part, the need to attribute the loss relating to the diisposeal of information technology assets across the Outcomes which is included in the Departmental Expenses estimates.
2. The revenue from other sources have been adjusted to more accurately reflect the revenue attributable to Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.
Budget Measures - Portfolio Summary
Table B2: Summary of Measures Disclosed in the 1999-2000 Budget
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Administered Capital and Equity Injections
The Professional Services Review will receive an agency equity injection of $0.7 million in 1999-2000, as indicated in Table B1 and as accounted for in budgeted statement of assets and liabilities (Table D5.2) and Appropriation Bill Number 2, 1999-2000.
The equity injection will be supplemented by $0.1 million from internal agency resources, and will be used to purchase non-current assets, namely computing equipment and an office fit-out. The new equipment will enable the Professional Services Review to expand its operations in line with the Budget measure on page 78.
