Victorian Auditor-General's Office

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 was provided to audited health services and the Department of Health with a request for submissions or comments.

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.

4 Access to woman-centred care

At a glance

Background

Once assured of safe care, women want choice, continuity of care and control of their pregnancy.

Conclusion

Access to woman-centred care is variable. Women are experiencing greater control of their maternity care. However, less than half of them are experiencing continuity of care and the lack of comprehensive, accessible information contributes to poor understanding of the maternity system.

3 Access to maternity services

At a glance

Background

Timely, high quality maternity care during pregnancy supports women to give their babies the healthiest possible start in life.

Conclusion

Women attending the hospitals we audited in metropolitan growth areas do not have equitable access to maternity services as there is a demand and supply mismatch. This is projected to increase with population growth. The Department of Health has, however, now begun collecting data on the timeliness of access to antenatal care to inform service improvement.

2 Planning for maternity services

At a glance

Background

The Department of Health is responsible for health service planning, including maternity services, at the state level, while health services plan locally.

Conclusion

The department has limited information about the capacity and provision of maternity services in Victoria which makes the identification of service gaps and making informed planning decisions problematic. Work is underway, with the department mapping existing maternity services.

1 Background

1.1 Introduction

After a period of decline, birth numbers in Victoria began to rise from 2001, creating an increased demand for maternity services. Services came under pressure especially in Melbourne's growth areas. Sunshine Hospital, which services some of the fastest growing communities such as Brimbank and Melton, has the third highest number of births in the state.

Figure 1A shows the 16 per cent increase in births from 2000–01 to 2009–10.

Figure 1A

Births in Victorian public hospitals, 2000–01 to 2009–10

Audit summary

Background

Healthy outcomes for women and their babies are dependent on adequately resourced maternity facilities and an appropriately skilled workforce. Maternity services are a core part of healthcare delivery, representing 5 per cent of all public hospital admissions and 17 per cent of state-funded hospital outpatient appointments. Responsibility for the delivery of antenatal care, or care during pregnancy, is shared between the Victorian Department of Health and the Commonwealth.

Maternity Services: Capacity

Body
This audit examined the capacity of maternity services in Victoria, focusing on whether access to services is timely and whether the Department of Health and health services are planning effectively to meet current and future demand.

Managing Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Services

Body
This audit examined the effectiveness of drug and alcohol prevention and treatment services overseen by the Department of Health. It reviewed the department’s planning, coordination and management activities, focusing on whether the service model is based on sound evidence and is consistent with whole-of-Victorian-government strategies, and whether services were consistent, accessible and delivering the desired outcomes.
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