Information for Victorian acute public hospitals, dental services, mental health services, aged care services and services funded through the public health program - from the Department of Human Services

During 2004-05, the Department of Human Services will undertake work to inform and develop a strategic approach to the purchase of new and replacement medical equipment that will link strategic service planning, introduction of new technology and replacement and acquisition of medical equipment. This work will include:

• Development of medical equipment asset management plan guidelines and agency equipment asset management plans
• Establishment of a consultant panel to provide advice and assistance to Health Services and Hospitals in the development of these asset management plans
• Review of various capital and recurrent funding provided by the department to support the introduction of new technology and the purchase of new and replacement medical equipment.
• Continuation of the strategy to pursue opportunities for value-for-money procurement of medical equipment.

It is anticipated that this will result in modifications to the program for 2005-06.

Medical Equipment Program

$25 million will be provided for the Medical Equipment Program in 2004-05 to allow for the upgrade and replacement of medical equipment in a range of metropolitan and rural health facilities including acute hospitals, dental health services, mental health services, aged care services and services funded through the Public Health Program.

The Medical Equipment Program will provide funding for acquisition and replacement of dental equipment in public dental health services, for diagnostic equipment funded through the Public Health Program and for aged care services and mental health services. Submissions will be sought from:

• aged care services for replacement of lifting equipment; and
• mental health services for Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) and related monitoring equipment.

2004-05 Targeted Equipment Program: Conditions of Funding

Submissions will also be sought from metropolitan and rural health services for the 2004-05 Targeted Equipment Program component of the Medical Equipment Program.

The priorities for funding in the 2004-05 Targeted Equipment Program will take into account the findings of the Auditor-General's Office report into managing medical equipment in public hospitals: www.audit.vic.gov.au/reports_par/agp8600.html

These will be advised to health services in the first quarter of 2004-05 together with the equipment proformas and other application details.

General conditions of funding for 2004-05 are:

• In respect of Metropolitan Health Services and Geelong Hospital, grants will be available for medical equipment acquisitions that have a minimum purchase/replacement cost of $200,000.
• The department will consider as part of the Health Service's application prioritised submissions for very high-cost (greater than $0.8M) replacement medical equipment items.
• Replacement equipment items proposed must be approved by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA).
• Equipment acquisitions should require no additional recurrent funding from the Department of Human Services.
• Funding will not be granted for equipment or for equipment items already purchased.
• Installation costs may be considered for single higher cost items and will need to be clearly differentiated from the equipment item cost on the submission form.
• The department requires confirmation of acquisition of equipment approved and expenditure in the current financial year.
• Funds provided must not be used for any purpose other than that for which the specific grant is made.
• Any equipment item granted will need to be placed on the Health Service's Asset Register.
• Equipment items that are being replaced will need to be decommissioned and disposed of appropriately and the Asset Register updated accordingly.

Related Links

The Victorian Nurse Back Injury Prevention Program
www.nursing.vic.gov.au/promoting/backinjury.htm

The Victorian Quality Council
www.health.vic.gov.au/qualitycouncil

Victorian Aids and Equipment Program
hnb.dhs.vic.gov.au/ds/disabilitysite.nsf/pages/pub_aids

Neonatal Services
www.health.vic.gov.au/neonatal/

Radiotherapy Services in Victoria
www.health.vic.gov.au/radiotherapy/

Public Health Group, Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia
www.dhs.vic.gov.au/phd/

Sub Acute Services
www.health.vic.gov.au/subacute/

Aged Care Services Branch, Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia
www.dhs.vic.gov.au/rrhacs/agedbranch.htm

Dental Health Services Branch, Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/rrhacs/dentalhealth.htm

Borrowing guidelines for public hospitals and community health centres:
www.health.vic.gov.au/borrowing/

Treasury Corporation Victoria
www.tcv.vic.gov.au/

Health SMART
www.health.vic.gov.au/healthsmart/

Health Purchasing Victoria
www.hpv.org.au

Department of Commerce NSW - Electromedical Unit
www.dpws.nsw.gov.au/

Infection Control in Victorian Hospitals
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/infcon/index.htm

Department of Human Services Infection Control Information & Publications
Infection Control http://www.health.vic.gov.au/infcon/info.htm

Medical Equipment Related Media Releases

Pike announces $4.4M for extra hospital equipment - 20 July 2004

$3.5 Million to Strengthen Bush Nursing Hospitals - 25 May 2004

Medical Equipment Boost for Victorian Kids - 1 April 2004

Medical Equipment Boost for Country Victorians - 1 April 2004

$3.8 Million for new beds and equipment in nursing homes - 14 March 2004

Contacts

Metropolitan: Teresa Lodder (03) 9616 2109
Rural: Graeme Sheers (03) 9616 1421