Victoria's Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Data
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This audit assessed if the Department of Health’s Victorian Alcohol and Drug Collection dataset is high quality and achieving its intended benefits.
Employee Health and Wellbeing in Victorian Public Hospitals
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This audit examined if the Department of Health and selected Victorian hospitals effectively support hospital employees’ mental health and wellbeing.
Contractors and Consultants in the Victorian Public Service: Spending
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This audit assessed if departments accurately record, properly monitor and transparently report their spending on contractors and consultants.
Supporting Sexual and Reproductive Health
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This audit examined whether Victorian women can readily access sexual and reproductive health information and services to support their health and wellbeing.
Appendix A. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments
Introduction
In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994, a copy of this report, or part of this report, was provided to the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Justice—which includes Emergency Management Victoria— Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police and the three audited councils and three audited health services
4 Activation and response to heatwaves
At a glance
Background
Public health messages and activation of heatwave plans by councils and community organisations that support vulnerable communities are two key actions taken to mitigate the risk that heatwaves present to public health.
3 Preparedness to respond to heatwaves
At a glance
Background
Emergency Risks in Victoria – Report of the 2012–13 State Emergency Risk Assessment identified heatwaves as one of 15 emergency risks to have potentially significant consequences if realised. Being well prepared to respond to a heatwave requires agencies to have plans in place that are evidence-based and meet requirements, and sufficient staff capacity and capability to respond.
2 Governance arrangements
At a glance
Background
Governance is defined as the combination of processes and structures implemented by the governing body to inform, direct, manage, and monitor the activities of the agency towards the achievement of its objectives. Monitoring and reporting are key elements of good governance and provide opportunities for continuous improvement.
1 Background
1.1 Introduction
Heatwaves represent a significant risk to public health. In Victoria, the number of 'excess deaths' from the 2009 heatwave was much greater than the number of deaths arising from the Black Saturday bushfires the following week. Not only is the risk significant, but the likelihood and duration of heatwaves is expected to increase, while an ageing population with greater levels of chronic disease will make Victorians more vulnerable to the impact of these events.
Audit summary
Heatwaves pose a significant risk to public health. Heat-related illness can range from mild conditions, such as a rash or cramps, through to heat exhaustion, and finally to potentially fatal conditions such as heat stroke.