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 7: VACS Funding & Target Setting

What happens if we have an insufficient VACS target to run the clinics we have opened?

Hospitals negotiate targets with the Access & Metropolitan Performance Branch, or the Rural Health Branch. For more details see the 'VACS New Clinic approval and funding submission process' flowcharts. (http://www.health.vic.gov.au/vacs/forms.htm)

What is the process for requesting additional funding for a clinic?

Refer to the 'VACS New Clinic approval and funding submission process' flowchart of the VACS website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/vacs/forms.htm

Who is the contact for VACS funding requests at the Department of Human Services?

The Funding Health & Information Policy Branch has responsibility for organising the VACS Clinical Panel approval process as part of VACS Policy function, while the Access & Metropolitan Performance Branch and Rural Health Branch have responsibility for target setting & consultation & co-ordination of budgets with Finance Branch. The VACS contact for each Branch is outlined below:

Metropolitan Health Services - Contact: Felicity Benneker, Manager, Service Monitoring and Analysis, Metropolitan Health Service Performance, Tel: (03) 9096 9062, email: felicity.benneker@dhs.vic.gov.au

Rural Health Service - Contact: Simon Moy, Manager, Funding Policy,
Tel: (03) 9096-2010, email: simon.moy@dhs.vic.gov.au

How often are the targets set?

Targets are negotiated and set once a year by the Access & Metropolitan Performance Branch and the Rural & Regional Health Services Branch as part of the annual budget process. Targets are published in the annual Victoria – Public hospitals and mental health services Policy and Funding Guidelines.

Where can we find the VACS weights?

The VACS weights are published annually in the Victoria – Public hospitals and mental health services Policy and Funding Guidelines and on this site.

How are the weights calculated?

The VACS weights are derived from the cost weight data supplied by hospitals as part of the Victorian Cost Weight Study. Data is obtained from VACS hospitals and weights are then developed (for more information on cost weights refer to the casemix funding website).

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