Other measures in the Health and Ageing portfolio
100 extra aged care beds in regional health services - maintain funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $1.2 million in 2003-04 to continue to fund 100 additional residential aged care places for Regional Health Service Centres, building upon its commitment to provide flexible service alternatives for older Australians living in rural areas. Continued funding beyond 2003-04 will be considered following the Residential Care Pricing Review.
Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Aged Care Assessment Teams
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 2.5 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide additional funding of $2.5 million in 2003-04 to ensure that Aged Care Assessment Teams continue to provide timely and effective assessments of frail older people in the community. These arrangements ensure that clients who may need residential care are referred to services that best meet their needs. Continued funding of this programme will be considered in the 2004-05 Budget following the Residential Care Pricing Review.
Australian Health Care Agreements
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | -108.9 | -172.0 | -264.6 | -372.9 |
The Government will provide $42 billion over five years for new Australian Health Care Agreements with States and Territories from 2003-04. This represents 17 per cent real growth over the life of the agreements.
The agreements represent the Commonwealth's contribution to the operation of public hospitals with funding provided as Specific Purpose Payments.
The Commonwealth will seek from each State and Territory a commitment to the provision of free public hospital services to the Australian community, to match the rate of growth in the Commonwealth's commitment, and to a new financial and performance reporting framework.
The funding for 2003-04 to 2007-08 represents an increase of $10 billion over the last agreements. The agreements vary from previous estimates as a result of a greater proportion of public hospital services provided to non-admitted patients and a reduction in public hospital usage growth beyond growth resulting from demographic changes. This change in usage growth reflects in part the fact that more services are being provided in private hospitals following the introduction of the Government's 30 per cent Private Health Insurance Rebate and Lifetime Health Cover.
The Government will allocate $253 million over the five years of the Australian Health Care Agreements for the Pathways Home Initiative. This initiative will help people discharged from hospital, particularly the elderly, to make a smooth and easy transition back home.
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $3.5 million over four years to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA has responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
This additional funding will assist ARPANSA to continue to deliver high quality and timely assessment of existing and planned nuclear installations.
Commonwealth Carelink
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $65 million over four years for the Commonwealth Carelink service which provides a contact point for people seeking information about the wide range of community-based aged care, disability and other support services. This service supports people to remain in the community rather than access costly residential care. Currently the programme is utilised by over 11,000 clients a month.
This measure will involve funding of $14.8 million in 2003-04, $15.7 million in 2004-05, $16.6 million in 2005-06 and $17.9 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Commonwealth Hearing Services Programme - indexation of charges
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | -0.3 | -0.6 | -0.9 | -1.2 |
| Department of Veterans' Affairs | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
The Commonwealth Hearing Services Programme provides subsidised hearing assessments and hearing aids for people under the age of 21 and pensioner concession cardholders. After receiving hearing devices, programme participants may choose to enter into an agreement with their hearing service provider by paying an annual maintenance fee to cover battery supply, maintenance and repair services. The Commonwealth subsidises this agreement with a payment to hearing service providers of $59.85 for participants with one hearing aid or $152.25 for participants with two.
From 1 July 2003 the annual maintenance fee for programme participants will move in line with Consumer Price Index movements, rising from $31.50 to $32.30 at 1 July 2003.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Health and Ageing and the Veterans' Affairs portfolios. The Department of Veterans' Affairs will continue to pay the full maintenance fee for veteran clients of the Commonwealth Hearing Services Programme.
Dementia and challenging behaviours initiative
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $90.7 million over four years to continue this programme (previously known as Enhanced Respite Care Services) in order to increase the provision of respite care for people with dementia and challenging behaviour. This programme allows carers of the target group to care longer for these people in their own homes. This in turn relieves the demand pressure on the higher cost residential aged care system.
This measure will involve funding of $22.0 million in 2003-04, $22.4 million in 2004-05, $22.9 million in 2005-06, and $23.4 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Diagnostic imaging - new agreements
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding through new five-year Diagnostic Imaging Agreements to ensure that quality diagnostic imaging services continue to be available while providing certainty to diagnostic imaging outlays. The new Agreements are currently being negotiated with the major specialist medical practitioner groups. The four new Agreements will cover cardiac imaging, obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound, nuclear medicine and radiology including magnetic resonance imaging.
Funding for this measure has already been included in the forward estimates.
Enhanced Divisional Quality Use of Medicines Programme - maintain funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 10.9 | 17.0 | 19.2 | 21.6 |
The Government will continue the Enhanced Divisional Quality Use of Medicines (previously known as Quality Incentives for Prescribing Pharmaceuticals Programme), but with a reduction in likely savings of $68.6 million over four years.
Savings resulting from improvements in quality prescribing of three target drug groups (antibiotics, peptic ulcer drugs and cardiovascular drugs) listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be shared equally between the Commonwealth and the Divisions of General Practice. The programme, which is being piloted in 13 Divisions, is designed to encourage prescribing practices that improve standards of patient care. The programme is still expected to generate savings of $39.8 million over four years which are reflected in the forward estimates.
Focus on prevention - primary health care providers working together
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 2.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
The Government will provide funding of $16.4 million over four years to general practices to implement an innovative `collaboration' method to develop new service models for the prevention of chronic disease and illness.
The delivery of prevention, early intervention and care services will be enhanced and supported through general practices working collaboratively with other primary care providers including nursing, pharmacy and allied health workers. New service models will be developed through a small number of pioneer general practices to develop evidence-based, multi-disciplinary approaches to prevention and early detection of chronic disease. Broader implementation will be achieved through conveying best practice learning from these models quickly and effectively to other practices in order to improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs in prevention of chronic disease.
See also related expense measures titled General Practice Education, Support and Community Linkages Programme - redirection of funding and Focus on prevention - community awareness and infrastructure in the Health and Ageing portfolio.
Focus on prevention - community awareness and infrastructure
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | - |
The Government will provide funding of $4.3 million over three years to support general practices in assisting individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, including through 'lifestyle prescriptions'. This is one of the first steps to achieving a greater focus on prevention in the health system.
In combination with the initiative titled Focus on prevention - primary care providers working together, this will support the take up of prevention in general practice through the development of tools for GPs and information for patients and families. It will also begin to raise awareness in the community about lifestyle risk factors and how to manage them to maintain good health and will incorporate a communication and information strategy focusing on nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention.
See also related expense measures titled Focus on prevention - primary health care providers working together and General Practice Education, Support and Community Linkages Programme - redirection of funding in the Health and Ageing portfolio.
Focus on prevention - priority-setting mechanism
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will introduce a priority-setting mechanism to inform future decisions on population health funding. A set of criteria will be applied by a committee, including representatives from a range of relevant Commonwealth departments, to assist the Government in determining priorities and allocating funding for health promotion and disease prevention. This will take into account a range of considerations, including the benefits expected from programmes to address specific population health priorities (for example, smoking and physical activity), and the effectiveness of alternative interventions. Additional funding is not required to implement this measure.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand - development of primary production and processing standards
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $2.1 million over four years for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to enable the authority to develop nationally consistent primary production and processing standards. The Government gave the responsibility for the development of these national standards to FSANZ from 1 July 2002.
The development of primary production and processing standards will ensure that, for the first time in Australia, all domestic food standards are integrated into a uniform national standard. These standards will protect public health and safety, as well as provide benefits for Australian industry, both domestically and internationally, given the requirements of overseas markets that imported foods be able to demonstrate they meet Government food standards in the country of production.
See also the related expense measure titled Food Standards Australia New Zealand - increased funding in the Health and Ageing portfolio.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand - increased funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $0.8 million over four years for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to meet its increased costs as a joint Australia - New Zealand agency. This independent statutory authority is charged with protecting the health and safety of people in Australia and New Zealand by maintaining a safe food supply.
The increased funding will enable FSANZ to carry out its new functions following the Council of Australian Governments Agreement to restructure the existing food regulation system in 2002. FSANZ's role in the restructured system will be to improve the function and coordination of food regulation on a national basis, as well as improving cross-Tasman uniformity to facilitate trade. This will involve additional costs associated with an expanded Board for the agency, and for attendance of staff at cross-Tasman meetings. New Zealand will be meeting its share of additional costs for the new agency.
See also the related expense measure titled Food Standards Australia New Zealand - development of primary production and processing standards in the Health and Ageing portfolio.
General Practice Education, Support and Community Linkages Programme - redirection of funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | -1.4 | -1.7 | -1.8 | -1.8 |
Funding for this programme was provided in the 1999-2000 Budget to educate GPs about the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) package and is no longer required as the EPC package is now fully implemented.
The savings from this measure will fund in part the Focus on Prevention measures in this Budget.
See also the related expense measures titled Focus on prevention - primary health care providers working together and Focus on prevention - community awareness and infrastructure in the Health and Ageing portfolio.
GP involvement in coordinated care planning
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide continued funding of $69.2 million over four years, through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, for GPs to work with other health professionals, including other medical practitioners, domiciliary nurses, and home and community care providers, to develop coordinated care plans for people whose chronic and complex care needs require a team-based approach. This initiative is part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) package first announced in the 1999-2000 Budget.
This measure will involve funding of $15.3 million in 2003-04, $16.7 million in 2004-05, $17.9 million in 2005-06 and $19.3 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been made in the forward estimates.
GPs in rural and remote areas - retention payments
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $47.3 million over four years to continue retention payments for long-serving GPs to encourage them to continue working in rural and remote areas experiencing difficulty in retaining GP services. Payments are based on the length of service, the remoteness of the area and a minimum level of service provision. An independent review of the programme in January 2003 found that the programme had provided access to financial assistance for long-serving doctors in areas of doctor shortage. The programme has contributed to recent increases in the number of GPs working in rural and remote areas.
This measure involves funding of $11.4 million in 2003-04, $11.7 million in 2004-05, $11.9 million in 2005-06 and $12.2 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been made in the forward estimates.
Health Insurance Commission - additional funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Health Insurance Commission | 40.0 | - | - | - |
The Government is providing funding of $34.3 million in 2003-04 to the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) to ensure it is appropriately resourced to continue to deliver a range of health and family services programmes. The additional resourcing will allow the HIC to record a breakeven position in 2003-04. (The expense figure in the table above reflects the change from the HIC's previously reported financial position for 2003-04 of a $5.7 million profit, which can not be achieved, to a $0 profit in 2003-04, as well as the additional $34.3 million being provided by the Government in this measure.)
The funding in 2003-04 represents the first phase of a process to update the HIC's resourcing arrangements, with further funding to be decided after an activity-based costing and benchmarking exercise to be undertaken in 2003-04. Additional funding has been provided in the Contingency Reserve for 2004-05 to 2006-07 pending the outcome of this exercise.
HealthConnect - a national information network
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 2.5 | 2.5 | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $5 million over two years to complete developmental work on a national electronic health information network, HealthConnect. This will build on the previous measure announced in the 2001-02 Budget HealthConnect: A Health Information Network for Australia - Development Phase.
HealthConnect aims to improve the flow of clinical information across the health care sector. Information collected through this network has the potential to provide valuable evidence to inform health care policies, planning and research.
The next phase of HealthConnect will involve further trialing of the network across Australia and integration with other Commonwealth, State and Territory health initiatives. It will also continue national work on privacy consent and identification issues.
Hepatitis C prevention and education - maintain funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $15.9 million over four years to continue this programme which reduces the transmission of Hepatitis C in the Australian community by providing education, prevention and health maintenance initiatives for those currently infected and those at risk of becoming infected with Hepatitis C.
This measure will involve funding of $3.8 million in 2003-04, $3.9 million in 2004-05, $4.0 million in 2005-06, and $4.1 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Improved Monitoring of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Entitlements initiative
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 14.8 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $14.8 million in 2003-04 for the Improved Monitoring of Entitlements initiative, of which $6.7 million will be used to repay funds borrowed from the Pharmacy Development Programme in 2002-03. This initiative provides payments to pharmacists for requesting and recording Medicare numbers on prescriptions and verifying cardholder status. This programme acts to decrease the instances of `doctor shopping' amongst patients and protects against access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme by people from countries which do not have reciprocal health care agreements with Australia.
A review in 2003-04 will inform decisions regarding payments to pharmacists beyond 2003-04.
Lifetime Health Cover - terminate funding for implementation
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.6 | -1.8 |
This measure was introduced in the 1999-2000 Budget to implement Lifetime Health Cover arrangements for private health insurance. This work is now complete, so funding for the programme will cease.
Medical Indemnity Insurance Framework - rural obstetricians
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 3.8 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
The Government will increase the subsidy available to rural obstetricians from 50 per cent to 80 per cent of the difference between the cost of their premiums plus their Incurred But Not Reported contribution (if applicable) and the corresponding cost for gynaecologists in the same income band in the relevant State or Territory. The medical indemnity premium subsidy scheme applies from 1 January 2003.
The increase will be provided for rural obstetricians in Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Area (RRMA) classifications 3-7.
This measure will involve funding of $10.3 million over four years.
Medicare Easyclaim
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $20.1 million over four years to continue funding Medicare Easyclaim facilities. These facilities were established to provide access for Australians living in rural and remote areas to Medicare claiming services. These Easyclaim facilities are located in about 550 community pharmacies, Rural Transaction Centres, and other community outlets such as post offices and newsagents.
This measure involves funding of $4.9 million in 2003-04, $5 million in 2004-05, $5.1 million in 2005-06 and $5.2 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Multidisciplinary case conferencing
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide continued funding of $5.4 million over four years, through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, for GPs to work with other health professionals to undertake multi-disciplinary case conferencing. Case conferencing is used to determine the best treatments for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs. Involving GPs and other care providers helps ensure the right health care providers are providing the most appropriate services at the right time. This initiative is part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) package first announced in the 1999-2000 Budget.
This measure will involve funding of $1.3 million in 2003-04, $1.3 million in 2004-05, $1.4 million in 2005-06 and $1.5 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been made in the forward estimates.
National Blood Authority - establishment and new Commonwealth funding arrangements
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | -3.4 | -9.1 | -11.2 | -11.4 |
| National Blood Authority | 4.4 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 2.9 |
The Government will introduce reforms to ensure consistent national arrangements for a safe, secure, adequate and affordable supply of blood and plasma products in Australia.
New national arrangements for the management of blood and plasma products in Australia will take effect from 1 July 2003. These arrangements include the establishment of a National Blood Authority, and the introduction of new cost-sharing arrangements between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories.
The Government will provide funding of $13.2 million over four years for the National Blood Authority. Savings of $35.1 million over four years are anticipated due to new incentives for States and Territories to manage the clinical use and administration of blood and plasma products more efficiently and effectively.
National Breast Cancer Centre
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $8.4 million over four years for the National Breast Cancer Centre to maintain its leading role in improving outcomes for women with, or at risk of, breast cancer.
The National Breast Cancer Centre is the main organisation through which the Government delivers its breast cancer control programme. The Centre has successfully developed and implemented an evidence-based approach, worked in partnership with consumers, clinicians, cancer organisations and other levels of government and trialed and evaluated innovative approaches to improved health services. It has improved the management and treatment of breast cancer, monitoring outcomes and disseminating information to women and health professionals.
This measure involves funding of $2.1 million per annum for four years. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
National Health and Medical Research Council - regulation of research involving embryos and prohibition of human cloning
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 3.3 | 3.3 | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $6.6 million over two years to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to support the administration, licensing, monitoring and inspection activities of the regulation of the use of excess embryos resulting from assisted reproduction technology. This is consistent with the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002.
The legislation requires a review of this programme before the end of 2005. A review of actual levels of demand will determine resourcing for future years of this programme from 2005-06. An allowance has been made in the forward estimates for 2005-06 and 2006-07.
The NHMRC will establish a licensing committee to monitor scientific developments and assess applications for the use of excess IVF embryos. The committee will also establish an inspection team to monitor compliance with the conditions of licence and inspect research facilities for compliance with the legislation. The NHMRC will establish and maintain a public register of all licences issued.
National Meningococcal C Campaign - additional funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
The Government will provide an additional $7.4 million over five years (including $4.8 million in 2002-03) to support the National Meningococcal C Vaccination Programme, originally announced by the Government on 20 August 2002. The measure will fund an awareness campaign to inform parents of children eligible for the vaccine. Funding will also be provided to the Health Insurance Commission to collect information for the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 8.1 | 8.4 | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $16.5 million over two years to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). The Office supports the Regulator in making decisions under the Gene Technology Act 2000 and regulating genetically modified products not already covered by the existing national regulation scheme. The OGTR was set up under the Gene Technology Act 2000 and commenced activities on 21 June 2001. Funding will be reviewed in the 2005-06 Budget where consideration will be given to the viability of cost recovery from industry.
Pathology - Quality and Outlays Agreement
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding for a new Pathology Quality and Outlays Agreement. The new Agreement will be negotiated with the pathology profession and is expected to cover cost structures, potential further efficiencies and patient affordability. This agreement is due to commence 1 July 2004.
Funding for this measure has been included in the forward estimates.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - improved entitlement validation of concession cards
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 11.6 | 2.8 | -14.0 | -32.7 |
From 1 July 2004, pharmacists will be able to monitor patients' entitlements to concessional pharmaceutical benefits by operating a real-time check of a patient's concessional status when processing a prescription. The improvement in entitlement monitoring is made possible by better data matching between the Health Insurance Commission and Centrelink.
This measure will assist in ensuring that pharmaceutical benefits are not provided inappropriately, and will result in a reduction in the number of payments made in error for prescriptions for persons not eligible for the concessional level of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidy.
This measure will supplement the Government's Improved Monitoring of Entitlements initiative and is expected to produce savings of $104.6 million over four years, with implementation costs of $73.9 million (including $1.8 million in capital), with net savings of $30.7 million.
See also the related capital measure titled Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - improved entitlement validation of concession cards in the Health and Ageing portfolio.
Pre-1 October 1997 nursing home residents - maintain funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
| Department of Veterans' Affairs | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $11.7 million over four years to ensure that residents who were living in a nursing home since before 1 October 1997 and who move to another aged care home, will not pay the accommodation charge. Providers are compensated for these residents to ensure they are not financially disadvantaged by pre-1 October 1997 residents.
This measure involves funding of $3 million in 2003-04, $3 million in 2004-05, $2.9 million in 2005-06, and $2.8 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Health and Ageing and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Preventing falls in older people
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $2.3 million in 2003-04 to continue this measure to prevent falls in older Australians. The programme provides for the continuation of interventions; demonstration programmes seeking to minimise the risk of injury; research into identifying risk factors and cost-benefit analyses; and the development of workforce education in community, acute care and residential settings.
This programme will be reviewed in 2003-04. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Private Health Insurance Ombudsman - maintain existing funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $1.0 million over four years for the office of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman. The main role of the Ombudsman is to provide an independent service for private health insurance members with problems or enquiries regarding their insurance.
Levies are collected from the private health insurance industry under the Private Health Insurance Complaints Levy Act 1995.
See related revenue measure titled Private health insurance levy - supporting the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman in the Health and Ageing portfolio.
Private Health Insurance Premiums - further measures to contain future increases
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | -0.1 | -10.4 | -14.4 | -24.7 |
The Government will introduce a range of measures to contain future private health insurance premium increases. These measures build on those announced by the Government on 11 September 2002 and are expected to save $49.6 million over four years.
New arrangements for the private health insurance coverage of prostheses will be introduced from 1 July 2003 onwards. The arrangements will require private health funds to offer products covering a full range of safe and cost-effective prostheses with no out-of-pocket cost to members for all procedures covered by Medicare. Members opting to have a prosthesis that costs more than the no-gap prosthesis will be required to pay the difference. However, funds will still be able to offer products, at a higher premium, covering more expensive prostheses or prostheses not related to Medicare items.
New arrangements will also be introduced for benefits paid to high-quality private hospitals and day surgeries where a contractual arrangement is not in place between the patient's health fund and the hospital provider. A new rural and regional default benefit will be introduced for rural and regional private hospitals where these hospitals provide the only services available in their communities. This will replace the 'second-tier' default benefit currently available to hospitals unable to negotiate a contract with a health fund.
Enhanced risk-sharing arrangements, which involve financial transfers between funds based on categories of risk based on age and gender, will also be introduced from 1 July 2004. These arrangements will reward funds that are more efficient and remove current disincentives for funds to manage risk and offer health promotion and disease prevention programmes.
Professional Services Review
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $18.8 million over four years for the Professional Services Review. The Professional Services Review examines the conduct of health practitioners in relation to services that attract Medicare rebates and prescribing under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Health professionals found engaging in inappropriate practices are subject to directions including counselling, reprimand, repayment of Commonwealth benefits, and full or partial disqualification from providing services under the relevant schemes.
This measure involves funding of $4.5 million in 2003-04, $4.6 million in 2004-05, $4.7 million in 2005-06 and $4.9 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Regional Health Services Programme
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $46.2 million over four years for this programme which allows for the continued provision of health care services that would otherwise not be viable in small rural and regional communities of less than 5,000 people. The Commonwealth works closely with State and Territory governments and local communities to ensure effective and coordinated services responsive to the needs of local communities.
Regional Health Service Centres enable the provision of a range of health, aged care and community services. Services include rural health promotion, GP services, illness and injury prevention, acute and palliative care, women's health, children's services, community nursing aged care, mental health, podiatry, radiology and immunisation.
This measure involves funding of $11.1 million in 2003-04, $11.4 million in 2004-05, $11.7 million in 2005-06 and $11.9 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Regional medical schools
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | -2.5 | -2.5 | -2.5 | -2.5 |
The Government will continue to provide funding of $11.2 million over four years to establish the Greater Murray Clinical School at Wagga Wagga. This is part of the Government's commitment to increasing the number of medical practitioners in rural and regional Australia. Funding for this measure is already included in the forward estimates.
The forward estimates also included an additional $10.0 million over four years from 2003-04 to 2006-07 to cover the cost of capital works at James Cook University. As this work is now complete, further funding for capital works is no longer required, resulting in savings to the budget.
There is evidence that recruitment and retention of medical practitioners in rural Australia will benefit from students undertaking medical training in a rural environment.
Rural medical students funding to assist with their studies
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $4.8 million over four years to continue to provide financial assistance to undergraduate medical students from a rural background. It provides eligible students up to $10,000 per annum to help meet the accommodation, living and travel costs incurred while studying medicine.
This programme is part of a long-term strategy to increase the number of GPs in rural and remote areas, by supporting medical students of a rural origin on the grounds that they are more likely to return to rural areas to practise once they have completed their training.
This measure involves funding of $1.2 million each year from 2003-04 to 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Rural Women's GP Service
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $8.9 million over four years to continue the programme previously known as 'Fly-in fly-out GP services to meet the needs of rural women'. The programme improves access to primary and secondary health care services for rural women who have little or no access to a female GP.
The programme funds the Royal Flying Doctor Service to fly female GPs to regular clinics for cervical cancer screening, breast and skin examination and other preventive health care. It provides necessary intervention for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, psychosocial problems and conditions related to reproductive and sexual health. By the end of 2002, this programme had delivered services to 104 locations.
This measure involves funding of $2.2 million in each of 2003-04 and 2004-05, $2.3 million in each of 2005-06 and 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 1.7 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $2.2 million over two years (including $0.5 million in 2002-03) to fund the placement of nurses at international airports to identify potential cases of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
SARS was gazetted as a quarantinable disease on 8 April 2003, ensuring that adequate powers are available for officials to take appropriate action in relation to travellers who may present a risk of carrying the virus. International passengers entering Australia will be assessed for their possible exposure to the SARS virus.
The outbreak of SARS is an urgent and unforeseen event. Border protection measures against SARS are an essential first line of defence, and will be maintained for as long as necessary to restrict the spread of the virus in Australia.
Sharing health care initiative
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $21.8 million over four years to allow people over 50 years of age (over 35 for Indigenous populations) with chronic conditions to gain a better understanding of their conditions and develop ways to manage them. The programme is improving the quality of life of people with chronic conditions, and building a strong evidence base on how self-management of chronic conditions can be implemented across the Australian health system. The programme also develops education and training resources for health professionals and people with chronic conditions.
The measure is currently assisting people with heart disease (including stroke or hypertension), diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, respiratory disorder and depression.
This measure involves funding of $5.3 million in 2003-04, $5.4 million in 2004-05, $5.5 million in 2005-06 and $5.7 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has been made in the forward estimates.
Support services for women with breast cancer
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $4 million over four years for support services for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It particularly assists women in rural and regional areas where geographic isolation and limited contact with specialist health care workers may impede access to the full range of treatment options and support services.
This measure involves funding of $1 million per annum. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Trans-Tasman Therapeutic Products Agency - establishment
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 5.4 | 2.6 | - | - |
The Trans-Tasman Therapeutic Products Agency will replace Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration and New Zealand's Medsafe on 1 July 2005. The new arrangements will safeguard public health and safety through regulation of the quality, safety and efficacy of therapeutic products in both Australia and New Zealand. The joint agency will support closer ties between Australia and New Zealand with cost savings for industry, governments and consumers.
The Government will provide funding of $8.1 million over two years for Australia's share of establishing the joint Australian-New Zealand agency to regulate therapeutic goods. Funding for set-up and implementation costing, totalling $7 million, will be recovered from industry. The Commonwealth will provide a further $1 million to meet Australia's agreed share of the costs for drafting a treaty and harmonisation of regulations between Australia and New Zealand.
Voluntary annual health assessments for older Australians
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide continued funding of $108.1 million over four years, through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, for voluntary annual health assessments in order to identify and prevent ill-health for those aged 75 and over and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 and over. This initiative is part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) package first announced in the 1999-2000 Budget.
This preventive measure involves assessments which check a patient's health, physical, psychological and social functioning, and assess whether preventive health care and education should be offered to the patient to improve their health and wellbeing. Annual health assessments provide a valuable means of early detection of problems associated with ageing.
This measure involves funding of $24.1 million in 2003-04, $26.2 million in 2004-05, $28.0 million in 2005-06 and $29.9 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.