The Australian Aboriginal population faces considerable disadvantage when compared to the non-Aboriginal population. For example, there are significant gaps in early childhood development, lower participation in maternal and child health services and kindergarten, poorer health status and shorter life expectancy, higher disability rates and comparatively lower literacy and numeracy outcomes. Despite some recent improvements, these gaps are still prevalent in Victoria.

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 and Human Services, Health Purchasing Victoria and six public health services.

The submissions and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows:

Location of CT scanners in Victoria

The map below shows ownership of CT scanners—it does not show those private CT scanners that may serve public patients through outsourced arrangements with public health services.

The audit approach—after benchmarking, interviews with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and Health Purchasing Victoria, and desktop review—consisted primarily of assessing three distinct data sources, of different breadth and level of inquiry. Group One included all public hospitals and health services, Group Two included a representative sample of 15 metropolitan and regional health services, while Group Three focused on a selective sample of six health services.

2.1 Introduction

A thorough understanding of demand for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) services across the state is needed to inform resource decisions that support timely and equitable access to these services.