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 3: Clinic Changes

How do I notify the Department of changes to clinics?

Details of clinic changes are submitted on the VACS Clinic Notification Form
and sent to the Department. Clinic details are then amended on the respective hospital's VACS schedule.

How detailed does the Department want these changes to be (e.g. do I have to notify the Department on a Notification form even if I’m just changing a clinic name)?

Yes, notification of name changes and any additional changes, are important for consistency and clinic identification, especially for managing schedules if clinics cease. The Department of Human Services VACS clinic schedule should reflect the clinics approved for operation within each VACS hospital. Changes are required (e.g. name changes) for identification and accuracy. This assists, both the Department and the hospital to maintain a consistent up-to-date schedule, for instance if a clinic is opened on multiple days (and this is identified on the schedule) and the hospital requests closure of only one day.

When do we receive a copy of our VACS schedule and who does it get sent to?

VACS schedules are sent formally to Health Services, hospital CEOs, VACS contacts and Department of Human Services Regional Managers, on an annual basis, with a letter requesting the schedule be scrutinised and updated if necessary.  Schedules are also provided on request at any time. 

Since the 2006-07 financial year, the department has emailed VACS schedules to corresponding VACS hospital contacts, on a quarterly basis.  Hospitals are required to continue to notify the Department on a regular basis of new clinics, closed clinics and clinic name changes.  It remains the hospitals responsibility to keep the VACS schedule up-to-date at all times.

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