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:
Consumer Participation in the Health System: Message
Ordered to be printed
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER October 2012
PP No 180, Session 2010–12
Consumer Participation in the Health System
Body
The audit assessed the extent to which the Department of Health and public health services facilitate meaningful 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:
3 Planning for and managing energy efficiency in the health sector
At a glance
As significant energy users and greenhouse gas emitters, it is important that health services improve energy efficiency. Achieving these improvements requires a planned approach that is effectively implemented.
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.
Energy Efficiency in the Health Sector: Message
Ordered to be printed
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER September 2012
PP No 165, Session 2010–12
Energy Efficiency in the Health Sector
Body
The audit assessed whether the Department of Health and health services have been effective in improving energy efficiency in health services.