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.
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.
 John DoyleAuditor-General |
Audit team Michele Lonsdale—Engagement Leader Melinda Gambrell—Team Leader Aina Anisimova—Analyst Jason Cullen—Analyst Engagement Quality Control Reviewer Ray Winn |
Dear Presiding Officers
Under the provisions of section 16AB of the Audit Act 1994, I transmit my report on the audit Heatwave Management: Reducing the Risk to Public Health.
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. After the 2009 heatwave in Victoria, the Department of Health developed a heatwave framework to help reduce the impact on public health.
An effective system of performance measurement and reporting is critical if government is to achieve its policy goals in a way that is transparent and accountable.
In Victoria, the performance measurement and reporting system aims to:
VAGO undertakes performance audits into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public sector agencies and their operations to provide assurance to Parliament and drive public sector improvement. We aim to achieve this by identifying issues and making recommendations to agencies about how to address them. However, our recommendations cannot result in improvements unless they are accepted and enacted by public sector agencies.
In Victoria, the total value of public sector capital investments underway or commencing in 2014–15 is around $72 billion, including projects delivered as public private partnerships. This includes a commitment made in the 2014–15 Budget of up to $27 billion to build new road and rail infrastructure such as the $8 billion to $10 billion stage 2 of the East West Link and the $8.5 billion to $11 billion Melbourne Rail Link.
Timely and reliable patient information is fundamental to the effective planning, management and delivery of clinical healthcare. Advances in ICT are having a profound effect on healthcare service delivery and raising expectations that patient information will be readily available to clinicians in electronic rather than paper formats.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) covers staff health, safety and welfare in the workplace. OHS is particularly important in public hospitals because major hazards exist—such as exposure to infectious and chemical agents, manual handling of patients and materials, slips, trips, falls, and occupational violence. These hazards can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, acute traumatic injury, infections such as hepatitis and potentially even death. The impact of poor OHS is felt not just by affected staff, but also by the patients they are treating.