Victorian Auditor-General's Office

1 Background

1.1 Introduction

All of us, at some time, interact with public health services, as patients, family members or carers. In 2011, Victorian public hospitals admitted 1.55 million patients, with a further 930 000 patients seen in emergency departments, but not admitted. In 2011–12, the Victorian Government spent just under $9 billion, 21 per cent, of its total expenditure on acute public hospitals. As consumers and funders of public health services, Victorians should be able to be involved in making sure this essential service meets their needs.

Audit summary

Consumers should be meaningfully involved in decision-making about their health care and treatment, and broader health policy, planning and service delivery. There is growing recognition and evidence that consumer participation:

Appendix A. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments

In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report was provided to the Department of Health, Austin Health, Eastern Health, St Vincent’s, the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Environment Protection Authority with a request for submissions or comments.

The submission and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows:

2 Improving energy efficiency in the health sector

At a glance

Background

As demand for health services has increased, so too has energy consumption. Several programs have operated for over a decade which aim to improve energy efficiency. Greater consideration has also been given to the environment and energy use in health service capital works. There is an expectation that efficiencies in health service energy use will be achieved.

1 Background

1.1 Energy use in the health sector

Victorian public sector facilities account for around 1.5 per cent of Victoria’s total electricity and gas consumption. The sector's largest users are healthcare providers—health services and hospitals—which account for around 26 per cent of public sector energy consumption.

Figure 1A

Energy use distribution in the Victorian public sector

Audit summary

Victorian public sector facilities account for around 1.5 per cent of Victoria’s total electricity and gas consumption. The sector's largest users are healthcare providers—health services and hospitals—which account for around 26 per cent of its total energy consumption.

Most metropolitan hospitals and some regional hospitals are large facilities that have high levels of energy use. This is because of their continuous operating requirements, use of energy intensive medical equipment, infection and temperature control, and on‑site services such as kitchens and laundries.

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