Archived 11 February 2009

Review of acute and sub-acute adult cardiac services

Background

The Department of Human Services (DHS) will shortly commence a review of acute and sub-acute adult cardiac services in Victoria.  The purpose of this work is to enhance the quality and accessibility of adult cardiac services in Victorian public health services.

Principles and objectives of the review

The objectives of this project are to:

• Review current and projected adult cardiac services in Victoria
• Develop a planning framework for delivery of acute (diagnostic assessment and treatment) and sub-acute (rehabilitation) adult cardiac services in Victoria
• Develop an integrated statewide approach to the care of adults with cardiac disease.

The following principles underpin the development of this review:

• High quality and safe services
• Maximal geographic access for patients and their carers/families
• Multidisciplinary care to ensure effective and efficient patient management
• Engagement of carers in care planning processes
• Coordination of effective patient care across the various phases of ambulance, acute, sub-acute and other relevant service provision
• Dissemination and implementation of agreed clinical guidelines.

The review process will:

• Analyse existing demand and interpretation of demand projections for cardiac services, along with other available data, and consider the implications of these on service provision
• Analyse current service model and configuration including service access
• Examine trends in clinical practice, new technology and approaches to care that have potential impact on future demand for and delivery of services
• Consult with key stakeholders.

Expected deliverables include:

• A survey to identify the existing adult cardiac service profile, infrastructure and future service needs for acute and sub-acute adult cardiac services (including diagnostic assessment, invasive and non-invasive cardiology and cardiac surgery)
• Development of a cardiac service framework and recommendations for service development and delivery of acute and sub-acute cardiac care
• Consideration of the following:
• Role delineation for acute and sub-acute cardiac services
• Linkages and referral relationships between acute and sub-acute cardiac care providers for accessing the most appropriate care
• The role of the private hospital sector and its impact on public sector services
• A plan for implementing the recommendations of the review.

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Cardiac Services Advisory Committee

A Cardiac Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) will be established to inform and provide advice on the following:

• Key issues for provision of acute and sub-acute cardiac services
• Trends in clinical practice, new technology and approaches to care that have potential impact on future demand for services
• Gaps in cardiac service provision and recommendations for service development
• Service planning framework for acute and sub-acute cardiac services and its application across Victoria taking into account the interface with other related services and the integration, distribution and mix of acute and sub-acute cardiac services
• Role and use of cardiac services within private hospitals and any current or future impacts that possible changes to these facilities may have on public hospital services
• Recommendations for service development encompassing role delineation and service linkages
• Plan to implement the recommendations for service development
• Process for stakeholder feedback. 

Cardiac Services Advisory Committee Membership

The CSAC will be chaired by Dr Jennifer M. King, Director of Programs Branch in the DHS Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services Division.  The CSAC will comprise the following clinical, management and organisational representatives:

• Cardiology, cardiac surgery, cardiac nursing, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, general practice, ambulance
• Metropolitan & rural health service managers
• Peak body: National Heart Foundation Australia
• Consumer/consumer advocate: Health Issues Centre
• Professional Organisations: Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Victorian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Victorian Cardiac Nurses Association, Australian Physiotherapy Association

Timeframe and Consultation

The project will commence early 2007 and is expected to be completed in late 2007.  A consultant, to be engaged through an open tender process, will be responsible for undertaking stakeholder consultation and drafting recommendations for the strategy.  Other activities to be undertaken that will also inform the development of the strategy include the following:

• Distribution of a background paper to identify key issues
• Requests for submissions and opinions from clinical and consumer stakeholders in response to the background paper
• Formal stakeholder consultations on service issues
• Survey of cardiac services.

The feedback received throughout the consultation phase will be analysed to inform the development of a statewide strategy for cardiac services for Victoria.

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