Victoria - Public Hospitals Policy and Funding Guidelines 1997-1998
Section A: Policy
8.0 Training and Development/Research
The Training and Development Grant is paid to hospitals to cover the additional costs of those hospitals with teaching, training and research activities. It has also been recognised that historically this grant has funded factors such as more complex cases, more likely to be found at teaching hospitals when compared with other hospitals. Refinement of the AN-DRG system has significantly reduced the need for this funding as a component of training and development grants.
The basic structure of the Training and Development Grant will not be altered in the calendar year 1997. Funding provided for the salaried medical officer component of the grant, however, does not account for key training and development activities and will be reduced by $5 million in 1997-98. Details on the specific rates used to calculate the grant are outlined in the section Casemix Formula.
It is proposed that a revised framework for the allocation of the Training and Development Grants, based on outcome requirements, will be introduced for the 1998 calendar year. The new framework will provide greater flexibility to the Grants to better recognise changing training and development programs in Victorian public hospitals.
During the latter half of 1997, a working group will be established to investigate ways in which the funding allocated through the Training and Development Grant can be linked to identifiable outcomes of training programs. Improvements in training programs will, in turn, lead to a better educated and skilled health workforce and will provide an opportunity to improve the quality of health care services in Victoria.
The Department is also considering a move towards an output related payment for other components of the Training and Development Grants, such as allied health. This will be further developed, in consultation with the industry.
During 1996-97, the Interim Report of Parliament's Economic Development Committee's Inquiry into Medical and Public Health Research in Victoria was released. The interim report provides a useful overview of the key issues facing the medical and public health research sector in Victoria. The Final Report has recently been tabled in Parliament. The Department will review and consult on the best way to move towards new approaches to allocating both the casemix related funds, and infrastructure grants provided to medical research institutes. It is likely that a Ministerial Advisory Committee will be established as part of this review, which will inform the Minister's response to the Parliamentary Committee.
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Victoria - Public Hospitals
Training and Development/Research
1997-1998
