Frequently Asked Questions - Content Updated January 15 2009

Section 1: The VACS Schedule
Section 2: Approval for New Clinics
Section 3: Clinic Changes
Section 4: The VACS Panel
Section 5: Counting rules
Section 6: VACS Base Grant
Section 7: VACS Funding & Target Setting

Section 1: The VACS schedule

What is the purpose of the VACS schedule?

The VACS schedule has several purposes:

• it is used as an identification tool for individual clinics within VACS
• it is used to monitor services that are being provided within the VACS system
• it provides accountability for public VACS outpatient services
• it provides details of the variety and scope of outpatient services
• it details the clinics that have been approved by the VACS Clinical Panel
• it is used for planning purposes, for the Department of Human Services programs and services (i.e. cancer, maternity enhancement)

Does the Department need to know the frequency of clinic encounters per month for every clinic?

The VACS Clinical Panel requires that details of estimated monthly encounters (for every new clinic) be submitted on the Clinic Notification form. The Panel assesses whether the number of encounters submitted on the form is reasonable for each VACS Clinic.

During the year hospitals are expected to open and close clinics while operating within their targets. Hospitals are also expected to notify the Department of Human Services of new clinics opened and these are in turn presented to the Clinical Panel for approval as clinics.

Is there a limit to the number of clinics we can open and close in single year?

VACS is a capped system, thus hospitals are required to operate their VACS clinics within, hospital specific, designated VACS targets. Management of clinics to target is the responsibility of individual hospitals and health services. Where additional funding is requested for new clinics, hospitals must also submit for this separately as part of the budget process cycle (see Section 7: VACS Funding & Target Setting).

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Contact: Nermin Songur (03) 9096 7897 or Teresa Barton (03) 9096 7221