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 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, 2002 and 2004. In July 2006, NATMOC was further extended until June 2008.
Enabling legislation
NATMOC is established under the Repatriation Private Patient Principles (RPPP), which are determined under section 90A of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. The principles 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 treatment monitoring committees 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 eight members who represent ex-service and associated organisations.
| Mr Mark Sullivan | President, Repatriation Commission – Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Mr Ken Douglas | General Manager Service Delivery, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Mr Ted Richards | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Mrs Norma Whitfield | 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 |
| Air Vice-Marshal John Paule AO DSO AFC (Retd) | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Mr Ron Coxon OAM | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia |
| Mr Gordon Traill | Australian Peacekeeper & Peacemaker Association – 21 February to 1 March 2006 |
| Mr Paul Copeland | Australian Peacekeeper & Peacemaker Association – from 2 March 2006 |
Functions
During 2005-06, NATMOC continued to provide a forum for state treatment monitoring committees to raise issues best addressed at a national level. NATMOC continued to receive reports from state committees relating to the operation of the RPPS and wider health care issues.
Staff
The Department continued to provide secretariat services to the committees. Information about NATMOC can be obtained from the National Manager, Primary Health.
Funding
NATMOC is financed from the DVA 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 | $28 203 |
| Accommodation for three meetings | $7 200 |
| Provisioning for meetings | $3 465 |
| Total | $38 868 |
NATMOC does not distribute funds or grants.
Meetings
Meetings were held on 28 July 2005 in Canberra, 24 November 2005 in Darwin and 30 March 2006 in Launceston, Tasmania.
The Darwin visit was NATMOC’s inaugural trip to the Northern Territory and incorporated a meeting with a number of the local veteran organisations. The success of this visit has encouraged the holding of subsequent NATMOC meetings in regional areas, allowing a broader range of contact with veteran organisations.
Activities and Issues Raised
The committee’s priorities during 2005-06 included:
- reviewing the activities of and reports from state treatment monitoring committees;
- monitoring:
- DVA’s Review of Service Delivery Arrangements;
- the Defence/DVA Links Project;
- Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service performance;
- DVA’s private hospital Request for Tender;
- Defence Service Homes Insurance review;
- DVA’s mental health activities;
- DVA’s health services contracting;
- health studies; and
- compensation outcomes from the East Timor deployment;
- considering issues arising from
- the National Ex-Service Round Table on Aged Care; and
- the National Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Forum.
Review of Service Delivery Arrangements
The members were informed of the Department’s Review of Service Delivery Arrangements, noting that the review was established to examine DVA's existing service delivery and to develop broad options and strategies that will enable the Department to match resources to the decline in the veteran community over the next 10 years. NATMOC was assured that the quality of service provided to eligible persons and their dependants would not be diminished.
Defence/DVA Links Project
Throughout the year, the committee has maintained an interest in the Defence/DVA Links projects including activities of the Links Project Review Board, the Joint Agency Records Review and the Department of Defence non-operational health care.
DVA’s private hospital Request for Tender
The committee closely monitored the national private hospital request for tender process, noting the key considerations of the tender, including: the seamless commencement of new access arrangements for the veteran community in Brisbane and Perth; no impact on delivery of quality care to the veteran community; fair and equitable payment arrangements with hospitals for veteran treatment; simplified access to sub-acute and non-acute services; and maintenance of current services in other states.
Defence Service Homes Insurance review
The members were informed of the Government’s decision to undertake a scoping study of the Defence Service Homes Insurance (DSHI) scheme, with the aim of determining how DVA can preserve policy holders’ special access to insurance. The progress of the review has been closely followed by NATMOC.
Health services contracting
The committee was kept up-to-date on the provision and contracting arrangements of the following health services:
- specialists;
- Local Medical Officers;
- hearing aid arrangements;
- optical;
- Booked Car With Driver;
- Rehabilitation Appliances Program;
- public hospitals;
- Veterans’ Home Care; and
- community nursing.
Health studies
During the year, the committee has maintained an interest in the following studies:
- Korean War Veterans’ General Health Study;
- Australian Participants in the British Nuclear Tests Program – Cancer Incidence and Mortality Study;
- Third Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study and Cancer Incidence in Vietnam Veterans Study;
- Feasibility Study into a Health Study of Sons and Daughters of Vietnam Veterans;
- Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP);
- Management Committees for Governance for the Gulf War and SHOAMP Serum Samples;
- Submariners; and
- ‘Modern’ deployment.
New South Wales Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 29 September 2005, 24 November 2005, 30 March 2006 and 22 June 2006.
| Mr Gary Collins | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Ms Jennifer Collins | National Manager Primary Health, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Mr Don Rowe OAM | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Lieutenant Colonel A ‘Bushy’ Pembroke MC (Retd) | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Lieutenant Colonel V (Vin) Hallinan (Retd) | Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
| Mr G (Les) Blok | Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Veterans’ Association of NSW |
| Mr Neville Woodward | Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia, NSW Branch Inc |
| Mr Barry Billing | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, National Council, NSW Branch Inc – to March 2006 |
| Mr Ken Duncan | Sydney Legacy |
| Mrs Audrey Blood | War Widows’ Guild of Australia |
| Ms Catherine Katz | NSW Health Department |
Observers: Mr Ken Foster, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, National Council, NSW Branch Inc – from March 2006
Matters of significance
Major issues focused on during the year included:
- the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme;
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital;
- Lady Davidson Private Hospital;
- the public hospitals agreement; and
- mental health.
Repatriation Private Patient Scheme
Committee members were provided with regular statistical reports showing admission data for public and private hospitals and day procedure centres in New South Wales.
Concord Repatriation General Hospital
The Medical Director of Concord attended when possible to update members about issues of interest to the committee. Of particular interest was the development of an agreement between DVA and the hospital covering Special Veterans’ Services, including the Veterans’ Psychiatric Day Centre.
Concord Hospital maintained its long-standing links with the ex-service community by hosting a number of commemorative events throughout the year, including the annual commemorative service for Victory in the Pacific Day, which in 2005 was well attended and held extra significance as it marked the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway received a silver award from the Premier for community participation, an accolade of which the hospital is very proud.
In general terms, it was noted that Concord Hospital was recognised by the New South Wales Health Minister as the ‘most improved’ hospital in terms of access and waiting list reductions.
Lady Davidson Private Hospital
The committee was kept informed about changes to the hospital’s corporate arrangements as it was divested from Ramsay Health Care to Healthscope Ltd on 1 November 2005. Members were advised that approximately half of the patients at the facility have DVA eligibility.
Public hospitals agreement
The committee received regular updates about negotiations between DVA and NSW Health towards a new agreement for the ongoing provision of public hospital services for DVA-entitled persons in NSW. This agreement, which covers the next six years, was signed late in 2005.
Mental health
Issues discussed included the number of acute psychiatric beds available in the state system, the 174-bed mental health facility under construction at Concord Hospital, access to psychiatry in certain country areas, the VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service and the respective roles of psychology and psychiatry.
The committee also takes a keen interest in the progress of veteran-related health studies.
Complaints monitoring
Committee members received a report at each meeting outlining the number and types of complaints received during the preceding period. All complaints are investigated and a response provided to the writer. The committee was satisfied with the action taken in response to complaints during 2005-06.
| Complaint category | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Transport/travel | 41 | 52 |
| Hospitals | 9 | 7 |
| Rehabilitation Appliances Program/allied health | 40 | 30 |
| Doctors | 9 | 5 |
| Veterans’ Home Care | 46 | 18 |
| Other | 6 | 8 |
| Total | 151 | 120 |
Victoria Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 20 September 2005, 29 November 2005, 28 March 2006 and 27 June 2006.
| Mr Bob Solly | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Mr Mike O'Meara | National Manager Community Health, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Mr Chris O'Gorman | Executive Director, Corporate Development, Austin Health |
| Ms Mignonne De Witt | DVA Contract Manager, Department of Human Services |
| Mr Don Weston | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Mr Ray Gill | Naval Association of Australia |
| Mr John Vincent | Australian Federation of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women |
| Mr Reg McMaster | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia |
| Dr Ian Goy | Melbourne Legacy |
| Dr Allan Beech | Melbourne Legacy |
| Mrs Marjorie Wilson | War Widows’ Guild of Australia |
| Mr John Johnson | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Ms Robyn Pritchard | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Mr Brendan Lynch | Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
| Mr Deema Johnston | Australian Peacekeeper & Peacemaker Veterans’ Association - from 28 March 2006 |
Observer: Mr Robert Winther, Veteran Liaison Officer, Austin Health.
Matters of significance
Major issues focused on during the year included:
- Austin Health redevelopment;
- Veterans’ Psychiatric Unit;
- private hospital Request for Tender;
- aged care; and
- mental health.
Austin Health redevelopment ongoing projects include:
Austin Hospital
- the re-development of Austin Hospital and the relocated Mercy Hospital for Women is now approximately one year old and working extremely well;
- Austin Hospital construction work is proceeding for a 55 bed Mental Health facility and Day Surgery Unit; and
- future work will include new Research facilities and the Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre.
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital
- Production kitchen and finishing kitchen due for completion by the end of 2006;
- ANZAC Memorial Chapel commenced and is funded through donations, with funds still being sought for stained glass windows and re-development of the Remembrance Garden and Duckboard Walk;
- Repat Café, incorporating the Outpatients Kiosk and Canteen, have been contracted out and are operating well with excellent customer acceptance;
- Commemorative activities continue to be well attended;
- renovations of Ward 17 (Veterans Mental Health) have been completed;
- kitchen alterations and meal serving changes in Ward 17 have been very well accepted;
- the Community Consultative Committee is in place for Master Planning process and has good veteran representation;
- consultants being appointed for Master Planning process; and
- the Lions Club is fund raising $5 million to construct Lions House, which will be accommodation for relatives of patients, particularly those from rural areas.
Veterans’ Psychiatric Unit
The Veterans’ Psychiatry Unit remains a major issue. Funding of $150 000 has been approved for maintenance work (replacement of guttering, painting, etc.) and further funding is in place for fire safety.
Private hospitals Request for Tender
The members were provided with regular updates on the process, noting the key considerations of the tender, including: no impact on delivery of quality care to the veteran community; fair and equitable payment arrangements with hospitals for veteran treatment; simplified access to sub-acute and non-acute services; and maintenance of current services in other states.
Aged care issues
The committee continued to receive reports on the activities of the Victorian Ex-Service Round Table on Aged Care.
Mental health
The committee has been kept informed of recent developments in DVA’s policy on mental health. This involves an increased emphasis on community-based services.
Complaints monitoring
During the year, 26 complaints were received and resolved. As in previous years, all issues were dealt with on a case-by-case basis, being forwarded to the relevant provider organisation for thorough investigation and report. The greatest area of complaint was hospital treatment, with the majority of these complaints focusing on the quality of clinical care and discharge planning issues.
| Complaint category | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital treatment | 26 | 24 |
| Veterans’ Home Care | 5 | 0 |
| Transport | 4 | 1 |
| Rehabilitation appliances | 2 | 0 |
| Specialist services | 2 | 1 |
| Pharmacy | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 26 |
Queensland Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 8 July 2005 , 31 October 2005 and 27 February 2006.
Note: the meeting of 8 July 2005 was held to consider issues raised by an extraordinary meeting on 23 June 2005 which was exclusively concerned with the private hospital Request for Tender process.
| Mr David Mackrell | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Mr Kevin Ross | Director, Health and Corporate Support, DVA – Australian Government representative – to 28 April 2006 |
| Mrs Helen Hill | War Widows’ Guild of Australia |
| Mr Cyril Gilbert OAM | Returned & Services League of Australia, Queensland Branch |
| Air Commodore Kevin Casey (Retd) | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Mr Bob Baulch OAM | Returned & Services League of Australia(RSL), Western District Rural & Remote |
| Mr Malcolm Wheat | Vietnam Veterans’ Federation, Queensland Branch Inc |
| Mr Gordon Blake | Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
| Dr Peter Grant OBE RFD ED | Legacy Coordinating Council |
| Ms Julie Kissane | Veterans Health Services Unit, Queensland Department of Health |
| Mr John Custance | Australian Federation of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen & Women, Queensland Branch Inc |
| Mr Terry Ward | South Eastern District RSL |
| Mr John Smith | Secretary, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Queensland Branch |
Observers: Mr Alan Kinkade, CEO, Greenslopes Private Hospital; Mrs Veronica Kratzmann, War Widows' Guild of Australia; Ms Serena Buckham and Mr Jason Smith, Queensland Department of Health; Mr Graham Fox, Limbless Soldiers Association, Queensland; Ms Libby Brown, Australian Federation of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen & Women (Queensland Branch); Mrs Sonja Hellier, Australian Veterans & Defence Services Council Incorporated; Mr Brett Bullians, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Queensland Branch); Mr Ray Townsend OAM, RSL (QLD branch); Mr Mike Carroll, RSL (SED).
Note:
- for probity reasons, Mr Kinkade did not attend meetings where the private hospital Request for Tender was discussed.
- the list of observers includes some who deputised on occasion for regular committee members.
Matters of significance
The major issues focused on during the year included:
- the private hospital Request for Tender;
- veteran partnering;
- RPPS hospital separation data;
- the Care Co-ordination Project;
- mental health services (Ipswich and West Moreton area); and
- appointment of committee members.
Private hospital Request for Tender
The members were provided with comprehensive briefings on the Private Hospital Tender process, and were kept advised of its progress and related developments during the year. As the tender could have resulted in an increased number of Tier 1 hospitals in the Brisbane metropolitan area and in changes to hospital access for veterans, members gave the matter careful and comprehensive consideration and provided DVA with feedback on matters of concern.
Veteran partnering
Members continued to monitor veteran access to hospital services and were concerned to ensure that veteran access to hospital services would not be adversely affected by the outcomes of the private hospital tender process.
RPPS hospital separation data
The committee monitored the types of usage by members of the veteran community of public and private hospitals. Statistical data presented to the committee pointed to the ratio of public to private admissions being maintained. Other data suggested that the percentage of surgical bed-days was declining, while medical bed-days increased. This change was consistent with projections nationally and occurred against a background of the overall decline in veteran numbers.
Care Coordination Project
Committee members were given an overview of the project being run in conjunction with the Brisbane North Division of General Practice (now called GPpartners). The project centres on the care of chronic conditions, and seeks to demonstrate how case management and care co-ordination models may be deployed most effectively for veterans with moderate to high level health care needs. The project is expected to run until May 2007.
Mental Health Services (Ipswich & West Moreton area)
Members maintained an interest in veteran access to mental health services and in particular expressed concern over the closure of the psychiatric ward at St Andrew’s Hospital, Ipswich, and its likely impact on mental health services for veterans in the area. In addition to alternative arrangements put in place for in-patient care, the DVA Queensland office is developing an information package on mental health care options for veterans in the Ipswich area.
Appointment and re-appointment of members
Those ex-service organisations represented on the committee were advised in early 2006 that their representatives’ terms of office would expire on 30 June 2006. All were invited to nominate candidates for appointment or re-appointment and the appointments for the 2006-08 term have been confirmed.
Complaints monitoring
During the year, 49 complaints were received covering a number of types of hospital treatment. Each complaint was dealt with on an individual basis, and involved liaison with the providing facility for the purposes of investigation, report and resolution where possible. The categories below cover all complaints received. However, it should be noted that some complainants raised a number of issues falling into more than one category.
| Complaint category | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing | 5 | 12 |
| Discharge planning | 8 | 8 |
| Specialist | 3 | 5 |
| Communication | 16 | 2 |
| Transport | 2 | 1 |
| Doctor | 1 | 5 |
| Other (administrative/management issues) | 13 | 16 |
| Total | 48 | 49 |
South Australia Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 18 November 2005, 17 February 2006 and 19 May 2006.
| Ms Pamela Blamey | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair – to 15 December 2005 |
| Ms Jennifer Collins | A/g Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair – from 30 January 2006 to 21 April 2006 |
| Mr Ian Kelly | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair – from 24 April 2006 |
| Ms Kerrie Bowering | Director, Mental Health & Community Support, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Ms Cathy Dosiak | Manager, Hospital Contracts, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Mr Colin Millard | Legacy Club of Adelaide |
| Mr Ron Zwar OAM | Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
| Mr Max Venables | Ex-Prisoners of War Association |
| Mrs Kathleen Rhodes | War Widows’ Guild of Australia |
| Mr Bert Henstridge | Returned & Services League of Australia | Mr Bill Schmitt AM | Consultative Council of Ex-Service Organisations |
| Mr Ron Coxon OAM | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia |
| Mr John Reeves | The Association of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women SA Branch |
| Mr Darren Renshaw | RGH Daw Park |
| Mr Onno Van der Wel | Director, Financial Risk Management and Monitoring, South Australia Department of Health |
Matters of significance
Major issues focused on during the year included:
- new arrangements for public hospital services for veterans;
- the private hospital Request for Tender;
- the South Australia Mental Health Plan;
- the South Australia Health and Community Services Complaints Commission; and
- the Veterans’ Home Care and community nursing services Requests for Tender.
New arrangements for public hospital services for veterans
The committee was advised that negotiations on the new arrangements for public hospital services had been completed and the contract was with the SA Department of Health for signature.
Private hospital Request for Tender
Members were provided with regular updates on the process, noting the key considerations of the tender, including: no impact on delivery of quality care to the veteran community; fair and equitable payment arrangements with hospitals for veteran treatment; simplified access to sub-acute and non-acute services; and maintenance of current services in other states.
South Australia Mental Health Plan
The committee was updated with information on work being undertaken in relation to the DVA mental health policy and three projects that were being implemented in South Australia. Some of these initiatives include the Pathways to Care research, alcohol management, the Living Longer Living Stronger program, the Active Awareness project, management of chronic disease and managing complex needs.
South Australia Health and Community Services Complaints Commission (HCSCC)
The Commissioner of the newly formed HCSCC outlined the role of this independent statutory authority to the committee. The HCSCC deals with complaints from the public, private and non-government health and community service sectors and has a mandate to identify improvements in safety and quality in services.
Veterans’ Home Care and community nursing Requests for Tender
The current Veterans’ Home Care contracts end in December 2006 and the committee was advised that DVA was commencing a tender process for new contracts for the provision of these services to the 4 200 veterans and war widows that use Veterans’ Home Care in South Australia.
The previous contracts for community nursing services recently ended and, as a result of the tender process, there has been an increase in number to 27 community nursing providers from 1 May 2006, especially in rural areas. The committee noted the tender process had also resulted in better understanding and awareness of the program.
Complaints monitoring
A summary of each investigated and resolved complaint received from members of the veteran community, in relation to any public or private health service, is presented to the committee at each meeting for discussion. These summaries include brief details of the complaint and an outline of the outcome enabling discussion on any emerging trends or issues. During the year, the committee reviewed 46 complaints, with 45 per cent of these relating to hospital treatment.
| Complaint category | 2004–05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Policy and procedures | 2 | 3 |
| Available services | 3 | 1 |
| Discharge planning | 10 | 7 |
| Access | 9 | 8 |
| Transport | 1 | 0 |
| Hospital treatment | 23 | 21 |
| Other | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 51 | 46 |
Western Australia Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 7 July 2005, 3 November 2005 and 2 March 2006.
| Mr Arthur Edgar | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Ms Marilyn West | Director Health, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Mrs Hazel Donald | War Widows’ Guild of Australia |
| Mr Les Crowe | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia |
| Mr Ross O’Connor | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Mr Bill Dedman OAM | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Mrs Shirly Mooney | Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
| Mr Peter Eddy | Legacy |
| Group Captain Jean Harrison (Retd) | RAAF Association |
| Mr Colin Pearn | Naval Association of Australia |
| Mr Derek Phillips JP | Australian Federation of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women Inc |
| Mr M Krassovsky | Special Air Service Association |
| Ms Bing Rivera | WA Department of Health |
Observers: Mr Kevin Cass-Ryall, Executive Director, Hollywood Private Hospital; Mr David Watson, Assistant Director, Hospital and Medical Services, DVA.
Matters of significance
Matters considered during the year included:
- progress with the private hospital Request for Tender;
- the continued decline in the size of the treatment population;
- the VVCS Western Australia relocation;
- access to general practitioners;
- update on the work of the Local Medical Officer Advisory Committee;
- reports on veteran community usage of Local Medical Officers, Specialists and public and private hospitals;
- reports on activities at Hollywood Private Hospital;
- a presentation on Repatriation Transport arrangements; and
- the DVA Review of Service Delivery Arrangements.
Private hospital Request for Tender
Members were provided with regular updates on the process, noting the key considerations of the tender, including: no impact on delivery of quality care to the veteran community; fair and equitable payment arrangements with hospitals for veteran treatment; and maintenance of current services in other states.
Operation of the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme
The committee noted that the treatment population in Western Australia continued to decrease, from 28 032 in 2004 to 27 477 during 2005. This trend has previously been noted and is expected by the committee to continue in future years.
During 2005-06, the pattern of admissions to the public and private sector hospitals remained relatively stable. The three-year average provision of bed days, reported up until September 2005, was 38 per cent in public hospitals and 55 per cent in Hollywood Private Hospital, with the remainder being in other private facilities.
Complaints monitoring
During the year, 15 complaints and actions taken to resolve them were reported to the committee.
| Complaint category | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital treatment/facilities | 12 | 11 |
| Admission procedures | 1 | 0 |
| Access under the RPPS | 3 | 4 |
| Hospital transfers | 0 | 0 |
| Billing arrangements | 0 | 0 |
| Discharge procedures | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 16 | 15 |
Tasmania Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 31 August 2005, 30 November 2005, 29 March 2006 and 31 May 2006.
| Mr Kevin O’Sullivan | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Ms Christina Shaw | Director, Health, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Mr Anthony Scott OAM | Returned & Services League of Australia – to 9 November 2005 |
| Mr Michael Barrett AM | Returned & Services League of Australia – from 10 November 2005 |
| Mrs Joan Cooper | War Widows’ Guild of Australia |
| Mr George Debnam OAM | Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
| Mr Maxwell Muir | Australian Association of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex Servicemen and Women |
| Mr Jack Brotherson MBE | Hobart Legacy |
| Lt Col David Solomon (Retd) | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association – to 14 February 2006 |
| Mrs Anne Harper | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia |
| Mr Norm Davie | Department of Health & Human Services |
| Mrs Fiona Cairns | Department of Health & Human Services |
Matters of significance
Major issues focused on during the year included:
- private hospital change of ownership;
- withdrawal by certain specialists from DVA arrangements; and
- the Alice Elliott Day Centre review.
Private hospital change of ownership
The committee was advised of the following change to hospital ownership:
- Calvary Health Care Tasmania took over the former St Vincent’s Hospital in Launceston from 1 August 2005.
Withdrawal by certain specialists from DVA arrangements
The committee was kept informed of specialists in Tasmania who had withdrawn from providing services in private hospitals.
There has been a slight improvement since 2004-05, however there are still problems for veterans accessing specialists in orthopaedics and neurosurgery. Where necessary, DVA staff assist veterans and LMOs in finding the nearest suitable provider in Tasmania.
Alice Elliott Day Centre review
In November 2005, DVA advised the committee that any action in relation to review on the future management of the Alice Elliott Day Centre was suspended in view of the internal restructuring occurring within DVA.
Complaints monitoring
During the year, there were eight complaints received and reported to the committee. The complaints were all related to hospital treatment and procedures. Each complaint was dealt with on a case-by-case basis and resolved satisfactorily.
| Complaint category | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital treatment | 7 | 4 |
| Reimbursement of travel expenses | 0 | 0 |
| Hospital discharge procedures | 0 | 3 |
| Hospital transfer to Nursing Home | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 7 | 8 |
Northern Territory Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 24 November 2005 (joint meeting with NATMOC) and 23 May 2006.
| Ms Pamela Blamey | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair-to 15 December 2005 |
| Mr Ian Kelly | Deputy Commissioner, DVA SA/NT – Australian Government representative and Chair-from 24 April 2006 |
| Ms Kerrie Bowering | Director Mental Health & Community Support, DVA SA/NT – Australian Government representative |
| Ms Sue Filipovich | Assistant Director, VAN & Community Development DVA NT – Australian Government representative |
| Mr Ken Bourke | Association of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women NT Branch |
| Mr Jack Hamilton | Legacy Club of NT |
| Mr Peter Mansell | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia NT State Branch |
| Mr Neil Conway | Returned & Services League of Australia, Darwin Sub Branch |
| Ms Robyn Harrison | Patient Advocate, Royal Darwin Hospital |
| Ms Amanda Lanagan | Northern Territory Department of Health & Community Services |
| Mr Robert Burgess | Australian Peacekeeper & Peacemaker Veterans’ Association |
Matters of significance
Major issues focused on during the year included:
- Northern Territory Men’s Health Peer Education activities;
- Health Connect Northern Territory focus;
- mental health issues; and
- structure of the Department of Health & Community Services Acute Care Division.
Northern Territory Men’s Health Peer Education (MHPE) activities
The committee was given an overview of the successful and varied MHPE activities that were organised during 2005-06.
Health Connect Northern Territory focus
A presentation was made to the committee about Health Connect NT, a health information network. This national system, with consumer consent, facilitates the electronic exchange of clinical information between health care providers.
Mental Health Issues
A number of mental health issues were raised by committee members relating to the lack of suitable psychiatrists in the Northern Territory and the suitability of prescribed medications. The committee was informed that the mental health issues of the younger veterans have been recognised as a priority area by the Minister and that one of the initiatives of the 2006-07 Budget was increased mental health services for post-1975 service personnel.
Department of Health & Community Services Acute Care Division
Members were briefed on the Acute Care Division, which incorporates the five public hospitals that make up the Northern Territory Hospital Network.
Complaints monitoring
During 2005-06 there were no complaints reported to the committee.
| Complaint category | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital services | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 |
Australian Capital Territory Treatment Monitoring Committee
Meetings held: 28 July 2005 (joint meeting with NATMOC), 12 September 2005, 5 December 2005, 6 March 2006 and 5 June 2006.
| Mr Gary Collins | Deputy Commissioner, DVA – Australian Government representative and Chair |
| Ms Jennifer Collins | National Manager Primary Health, DVA – Australian Government representative |
| Mrs Betty Mills | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Mr Laurie Dillon | Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Mrs Margery Smyth OAM | War Widows’ Guild of Australia (ACT) |
| Mrs Gwendoline Henwood | War Widows’ Guild of Australia (ACT) |
| Mr Adrian Roberts | ACT Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women Association Inc |
| Mr Mike Phoenix | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia |
| Mr Peter McCann | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia – to March 2006 |
| Commander David Clinch (Retd) OBE | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Mrs Maelyn Wishart | Regular Defence Force Welfare Association |
| Mr Ian Gore | Canberra Legacy |
| Mr Glenn Thompson | ACT Kindred Organisations’ Committee – from September 2005 |
| Ms Ann Atkinson | Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing – ACT Office |
| Ms Joan Scott | ACT Health – to March 2006 |
Observers: Ms Therese Gehrig, ACT Health – from March 2006; Mr Peter Ryan, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia – from March 2006.
Matters of significance
Major issues focused on during the year included:
- the operation of the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme; and
- aged care issues in the Australian Capital Territory.
Repatriation Private Patient Scheme
The committee received regular reports regarding the level of admissions, separations and occupied bed days for public and private hospitals. It was also kept informed about the renegotiation process for a new agreement between DVA and ACT Health in relation to the Australian Capital Territory public hospitals. Tender and agreement developments with ACT private hospitals were also canvassed.
Aged care issues in the Australian Capital Territory
The committee also acts as the ACT Ex-Service Round Table on Aged Care. During the year, the committee received regular reports on aged care issues in the ACT from representatives of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DHA) and from ACT Health.
Of particular interest were the results of various funding rounds and pilot programs that the other agencies administer and a presentation from a guest speaker, Ms Sandra Linsley (DHA), about a consultation paper entitled A New Strategy for Community Care – The Way Forward. Issues from the National Ex-Service Round Table on Aged Care (NERTAC) also were reported to the committee by the ACT Treatment Monitoring Committee representative on NERTAC.
Other issues
Other matters of on-going interest to the committee have included:
- the provision of various health-related aids and services under DVA arrangements. Examples of topics are hearing aids and spectacles;
- methods of ensuring that younger veterans are informed of their entitlements and the services available to them through DVA;
- parking facilities at hospitals; and
- the Review of Service Delivery Arrangements and resulting changes to DVA’s structure. The nature of the review was explained to avoid any misconceptions about its impact on the quality of level of service received by veterans and war widows.
The committee also takes a keen interest in the progress of veteran-related health studies.
Complaints monitoring
At each meeting the committee received a report detailing letters of complaint received since the last meeting. All of the matters were investigated and a response provided to the writer. The committee had an opportunity to discuss general issues arising from this correspondence and was satisfied with the action taken.
| Complaint Category | 2004–05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Transport/travel | 0 | 0 |
| Rehabilitation Appliance Program/allied health | 1 | 4 |
| Medical | 1 | 0 |
| Veterans’ Home Care | 4 | 1 |
| Total | 6 | 5 |