HOSPITAL SERVICES REPORT : INTRODUCTION - NOV 96

INTRODUCTION-November 1996

Consumers, health care providers and government all need information on the quality of health services. Public access to information assists consumers to understand the health care system, it assists providers of health services in planning, and increases the accountability of the Department of Human Services.

The Hospital Services Report was introduced as a regular publication in 1995. As new information on the quality of health services becomes available to the Department, it is included in subsequent editions of the report so that consumers are progressively better informed. This edition includes data for the June Quarter, 1996, which covers the months of April, May and June.

In October 1996, the Metropolitan Health Care Services Plan was released, detailing the Government's vision for a new metropolitan health care system. The Victorian Government has committed over $900 million in the first ever systematic upgrade, refurbishment and redevelopment of Melbourne's public health care services to serve Melbourne's population into the next century. This version of the Hospital Services report provides summary information about the important changes proposed for Melbourne's hospital system. Additional information can be obtained from the Department of Human Services or Health Care Networks.

The information included in this report is often requested from the Department. Since technical information of this nature is very difficult to interpret, each graph and table needs to be carefully considered in the context of the complexity of the health care system. Departmental staff, hospital staff, general practitioners and other health care professionals may be able to assist you to interpret this report.