Children and young people are vulnerable when their parents or family have limited capacity to effectively care for them, protect them and provide for their long-term development and wellbeing. That capacity can be affected by a range of factors such as alcohol or substance abuse, family violence, mental health issues, disability, isolation, financial stress, homelessness or bereavement.
The Children's Court places children in out-of-home care when they are assessed to be at significant risk of harm, abuse or neglect from their own families and cannot remain in the home. Residential care is one of three main out-of-home care options available, and is the least preferred option.
In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994, a copy of this report, or part of this report, was provided to the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Purchasing Victoria and six public health services.
The submissions 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:
The map below shows ownership of CT scanners—it does not show those private CT scanners that may serve public patients through outsourced arrangements with public health services.
The audit approach—after benchmarking, interviews with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and Health Purchasing Victoria, and desktop review—consisted primarily of assessing three distinct data sources, of different breadth and level of inquiry. Group One included all public hospitals and health services, Group Two included a representative sample of 15 metropolitan and regional health services, while Group Three focused on a selective sample of six health services.
The high capital and maintenance costs of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) scanners mean they should be used to the fullest extent possible. Increasing scanner efficiency, and therefore utilisation, can significantly decrease the cost per scan and increase public patient access to imaging equipment.
Public health services can deliver computed tomography (CT) and medical resonance (MR) imaging services in a number of ways—including purchasing or leasing for in‑house use, outsourcing the service or a combination of options. All options need to be assessed so that CT and MR imaging services are delivered cost-effectively.
A thorough understanding of demand for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) services across the state is needed to inform resource decisions that support timely and equitable access to these services.
Imaging services are increasingly being used to diagnose and treat medical conditions in our public health system.
In accordance with section 16A and 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994, a copy of this report, or relevant extracts from the report, was provided to the Department of Health and Human Services and named hospitals 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: