Annual Report of the National Treatment Monitoring Committee
The National Treatment Monitoring Committee (NATMOC) was established in 1992 to monitor the integration or sale of the Repatriation General Hospitals (RGHs) and the operation of the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (RPPS) in each state and territory.
After approving the operation of the committee for an initial two-year period, the Repatriation Commission reviewed NATMOC's role in May 1994 and, satisfied with its progress, approved an extension for a further two years. It approved further extensions in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002. In July 2004, NATMOC was further extended until 2006.
Enabling legislation
NATMOC is established under the Repatriation Private Patient Principles (RPPPs), which are determined under section 90A of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. The RPPPs state that the Repatriation Commission will monitor access to, and quality of, hospital care arranged for the veteran community through a national treatment monitoring committee and a treatment monitoring committee (TMOC) in each state and territory. NATMOC also has the same monitoring role under paragraph 13 of the schedule to the Seamens' War Pensions and Allowances Regulations.
Membership
Membership of NATMOC is determined under RPPP No 13. Members are appointed for a two-year period but may resign at any time. The committee has two Australian Government officers and seven members who represent ex-service and associated organisations:
| Dr Neil Johnston | President, Repatriation Commission — Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Mr Ken Douglas | Division Head Health, DVA — Australian Government representative |
| Mr George Mialkowski | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Mrs Kathleen Ross OAM | War Widows' Guild of Australia |
| Mr Colin Doust | Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
| Mr John "Blue" Ryan OAM | Australian Federation of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women |
| Mr Simon Agnew | National Legacy Coordinating Council |
| AVM John Paule AO DSO AFC (Retd) | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Mr Rob Cox OAM | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia |
The Committee would like to recognise the contribution of the late Mrs Kathleen Ross OAM to NATMOC. Mrs Ross passed away on 26 May 2004. Her contribution to NATMOC was found to be extremely productive in ensuring the continued delivery of timely, quality health care to war widows and veterans.
Powers and functions
During 2003–04, NATMOC continued to provide a forum for TMOCs to raise issues best addressed at a national level. The committee received reports from state TMOCs relating to the operation of the RPPS and wider health care issues for the veteran community.
Staff
The Department continued to provide secretariat services to the committees. Information about NATMOC can be obtained from the Branch Head Hospitals and Business Development on (02) 6289 6243.
Funding
NATMOC is financed from the Department of Veterans' Affairs Budget allocation. Although committee members receive no sitting fees, the Department covers the cost of travel and accommodation where members are required to attend interstate meetings.
| Travel expenses for three meetings | $15 154 |
| Accommodation for three meetings | $6 181 |
| Provisioning for meetings | $740 |
| Total | $22 075 |
NATMOC does not distribute funds or grants.
Meetings
Meetings were held on 14 August 2003 in Canberra, 27 November 2003 in Sydney and 25 March 2004 in Adelaide.
Activities and issues raised
The committee's priorities during 2003–04 included:
- reviewing the minutes from state TMOCs;
- monitoring:
— public and private hospital veteran partnering activities;
— the Defence/DVA Links Project;
— Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme statistics;
— Veterans' Home Care;
— community nursing;
— Local Medical Officer and specialists arrangements;
— access to emergency after-hours psychiatric care;
— health e-business;
— mental health;
— elder friendly care initiatives;
— Rehabilitation Appliances Program;
— discharge planning in hospital facilities;
— health studies;
— F-111 Deseal/Reseal Health Care Scheme;
— the National Ex-Service Round Table on Aged Care;
— outcomes from veteran and carer surveys as well as health provider surveys; and - considering issues arising from the Australian Hearing Services Advisory Committee.
Veteran partnering
Members continued to monitor veteran access and negotiations on veteran partnering arrangements for the provision of services to eligible veterans by private hospitals. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of arrangements in Western Australia.
Defence/DVA Links Project
NATMOC has continued to support the Defence/DVA Links Project, which aims to improve services to Australian Defence Force members and veterans by identifying common business areas between the DVA and Defence and making better use of resources.
Mental health
DVA's mental health policy and strategic initiatives promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care for veterans were strongly supported by the committee.
Rehabilitation Appliances Program
The members continued to monitor the review of the Department's Rehabilitation Appliances Program and noted the arrangements for the implementation of new contractual arrangements.
Health studies
Members were kept up-to-date on the progress of the following studies:
- Korean War veterans mortality and cancer incidence studies and general health and psychiatric disease survey;
- Study of Health Outcomes of Aircraft Maintenance Personnel;
- Australian participants in the British nuclear tests program — cancer incidence and mortality study;
- Gulf War Veterans Health Study;
- third Vietnam Veterans' Mortality Study; and
- the review of SAS veterans' health concerns.
National Ex-service Round Table on Aged Care
Members continue to have a particular interest in aged care issues addressed by the National Ex-service Round Table on Aged Care. Special needs status was granted to the veteran community through the Department of Health and Ageing and continues to be closely monitored.