>> Annual Report Home Page

>> Compliance index

>> President/Secretary’s Review

>> The Veterans’ Affairs Portfolio

>> Annual Report of the Repatriation Commission

>> Annual Report of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

>> Annual Report of the National Treatment Monitoring Committee

>> Appendices

>> Index

Annual Reports Contents >> National Treatment Monitoring Committee Annual Report 2001—2002 >> Australian Capital Territory Treatment Monitoring Committee

Australian Capital Territory Treatment Monitoring Committee

Meetings held: 10 September 2001, 10 December 2001, 11 March 2002, 24 June 2002

Membership to 30 June 2002

Matters of significance

The committee focused on several issues including the:

• operation and review of the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme;
• effect of the implementation of Tier 1 private hospital contracts in February 2001;
• contracting of Day Procedure Centres in the ACT;
• tendering for Rehabilitation Appliances;
• tendering for Repatriation Transport Scheme providers;
• veterans’ health studies; and
• aged care issues in the ACT.

Repatriation Private Patient Scheme

The committee noted that public hospital utilisation in the ACT by the veteran community increased by 25 per cent on previous levels. This increase was reflected largely by the surge in activity at The Canberra Hospital. Private hospital utilisation also increased during this time but not as significantly as the public sector. Overall hospital utilisation in the ACT has risen with the private hospitals representing two-thirds of all hospital admissions.

Veteran partnering

The committee continues to monitor the progress of veteran partnering arrangements with three private hospitals in the ACT.

A significant outcome has been the creation of the Veterans’ Liaison Officer (VLO) position in each Tier 1 private hospital. The VLO operates as a point of contact for veteran patients, their families, ESOs and the Department. The committee noted that the implementation of the VLO has had a positive effect in reducing the number of complaints from the veteran community, due to the active communication and the visibility attached to the role.

There was an overall increase in admissions to Tier 1 private hospitals across the ACT during 2001–02. More noticeable was the change in the admissions profile, which suggested that patients were increasingly using the Tier 1 private hospitals for elective procedures.

Contracting of day procedure centres

In early 2002, NSW State Office commenced the recontracting of the six-day procedure centres in the ACT, in line with the Department’s national strategy. These facilities provide elective surgery with an emphasis on eye surgery and endoscopic procedures, and operate as a necessary supplement to the services provided in both public and private hospitals. The committee was regularly updated on the progress of the contracting process. This process was ongoing at 30 June 2002.

Tendering for rehabilitation appliances

The Department undertook the process of tendering nationally for the provision of products and services supplied through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP). The RAP products/services to be offered for tender were:

• continence products;
• personal response systems;
• mobility and functional support items;
• diabetes products and services; and
• oxygen and continuous pulmonary airways pump machines.

As part of the national tendering process, NSW State Office was responsible for the evaluation of the tenders for continence aids, personal response systems and mobility items. The committee monitored the progress of the tendering process. This process was ongoing at 30 June 2002.

Tenders for Repatriation Transport Scheme providers

Under the Repatriation Transport Scheme, the Department provides a broad range of transport options to eligible veterans and war widows/widowers who must travel to attend approved treatment. The Department indicated that each State would tender for taxi and hire car services. The NSW State Office briefed the committee on progress with the tender. This process was ongoing at 30 June 2002.

Aged care issues in the ACT

In addition to monitoring the operation of the RPPS, the committee reviewed the functions as the Territory Ex-Service Round Table on Aged Care (TERTAC). The committee receives reports on the health and aged care initiatives available within the Department and externally through the Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing and the ACT Department of Health, Housing & Community Care.

Contentious issues

Each meeting of the committee included a briefing on contentious correspondence received by the Department during the proceeding quarter. The committee reviewed the correspondence, noting the quality of services provided and considering the emergence of trends.

The majority of issues raised in the ACT related to allied health services. The committee was satisfied with the response and action taken in addressing the matters brought to its attention.

Table 95: complaints monitored ACT