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OATSIH Primary Health Care Funding Review (the Review)

OATSIH is currently undertaking a review to consider possible new funding models for the distribution of OATSIH primary health care funding.

Latest News
The aim of the review
A phased approach
The scope of the review
Consultation
The review Team
Frequently asked questions

Addendum: Consultation Paper Submission Date Extended.

Consultation Workshops with NACCHO Affiliates and their members are continuing.
The submissions date for written input on the Consultation paper (previously 27 April 2013) has been extended to 3 June 2013.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to review the Consultation Paper and share with KPMG your views on the current funding arrangements, possible improvements and on the funding models presented. Responses can be made via mail or email to KPMG.

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Latest news

Funding options to reform the distribution of OATSIH primary health care funding—Consultation Paper

As part of Phase 1 of the Review the Consultants (KPMG) have developed a Consultation Paper to promote consideration and seek initial thoughts from stakeholders on:

• areas for improvement in funding allocation;
• a range possible funding models; and
• possible implementation barriers.

PDF Printable version: Funding options to reform the distribution of OATSIH primary health care funding—Consultation Paper (PDF 794 KB)

Word version: Funding options to reform the distribution of OATSIH primary health care funding—Consultation Paper (Word 308 KB)

Stakeholder feedback is invaluable as it will inform KPMG's exploration and development of a report to government on funding model options. The Consultation Paper poses a number of questions related to funding which will help to capture the views of stakeholders.

Responses to the Consultation Paper can be provided via written submissions to KPMG* until 3 June 2013. We would like to hear your comment on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper.

*(See Section 9 of the Consultation Paper for KPMG submission contact details).

KPMG will also be running workshops on the Consultation Paper with NACCHO Affiliates and invited members during early 2013.

This is the first of several opportunities for stakeholders to provide input. Broader consultation (Phase 2) with stakeholders to discuss KPMGs report and its findings is planned for late 2013. Please see further information on Consultation.

For further information on this paper or the submission process please email OATSIH Funding Policy.

The aim of the review

The Australian Government funds organisations to deliver primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are reviewing how we decide how much funding each organisation receives.
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The aim of the review is to examine a number of models that could be used to determine how much funding organisations receive.

Distribution of OATSIH Primary Health Care Funding should:

• be directly related to the type, complexity, quantity and quality of services delivered
• be transparent and defensible
• promote sector stability and administrative efficiency
• represent sound value for money
• enhance equity within the confines of the current funding appropriation.

A phased approach

The Review will be managed in separate phases to enable identification of achievable short term changes as well as longer term improvements.
Each phase will be informed by the OATSIH Primary Health Care Funding Review Consultative Group.

Phase 1

• Phase 1 is an ‘explore and inform’ phase, where possible funding models will be investigated.
• This phase has started and should be finalised in mid 2013. During this exploration phase, consultants with skills in economic modelling will examine funding models. The consultants will also look at the impact if a change was to be made so we can explore transition strategies to move to a new approach.
• Funded organisations can stay up-to-date through Latest News to these web pages, their Affiliate or NACCHO.

Phase 2

• Phase 2 will involve talking with the funded organisations and asking for their thoughts on the funding models.
• OATSIH will listen to the feedback gathered before asking the Minister for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health to think about any changes.

The scope of the review

The Australian Government provides funding for comprehensive primary health care. This is used by organisations to assist them in providing primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Review will not directly include other OATSIH funding sources available to service providers though other funding streams, such as those specifically for:

• social and emotional well-being;
• child and maternal health;
• chronic disease management; or
• alcohol and other drug treatment.

Organisations often get funding from other sources, such as Medicare. Although these are not under review, we will take these other funding streams into account as part of the Review:

• Bringing them Home
• Chronic Disease Management
• Alcohol and Other Drugs

Consultation

We want to develop a transparent and equitable formula that has minimal administrative impact on organisations delivering health services. The formula should contribute to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

During Phase 1 of the Review OATSIH formed a Consultative Group that will provide advice to the Department about the Review.

The Consultative Group includes representatives from:

• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
• some Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
• a NACCHO Affiliate.

The Consultative Group will provide information as we explore the options available. Once we have completed this process and the consultants has finalised its proposed options, we will move into broader consultation where OATSIH will ask for feedback from the sector on the options available. This will likely be in the latter half of 2013. In addition, during Phase 1, a process for stakeholders to share their initial thoughts on funding models will be undertaken. Please see the Latest News for further information on the timing for this process.

The review team

• the Review is being undertaken by the Funding Policy Section, within the Operational Policy Branch of OATSIH.
• the Funding Policy Section has contracted KPMG to provide advice and develop a discussion paper with funding model options.

If you have any questions regarding the Review, please email OATSIH Funding Policy inbox.
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