Appendix 1: Consultation and Liaison

The development of the proposals and processes outlined in this document have been undertaken with industry support and advice. The Department has regular liaison with metropolitan Networks, country hospitals and the Victorian Healthcare Association on matters relating to casemix development. Refinement of the AN-DRG Version 3 weights has been through the consultants Health Services Research Group and after discussions with representatives of the Casemix Clinical Sub-Committee. Major consultative groups include:

• The Victorian Casemix Clinical Committee has provided substantial advice and support in the development of general policy initiatives, classification and implementation issues.
• The Victorian Ambulatory Classification System Advisory Committee (VACSAC) has overseen the implementation of the system. The Clinical Panel chaired by Dr Peter Greenberg, oversaw the assignment of clinics for the new system.
• The emergency categorisation was developed by the Emergency Services Categorisation and Funding Taskforce.
• The Victorian Advisory Committee on Casemix Data Integrity examines data issues related to casemix funding and includes departmental and industry representation.
• The Acute Health Quality Committee, chaired by Professor Stephen Duckett, have advanced strategic policy directions, particularly relating to accreditation policy and the ongoing development of acute health performance indicators.
• The Acute Inter-hospital Transfer Working Group, which includes representation from the Health Care Network administration, the emergency, intensive care and cardiology fields, assisted in the development of the critical care component of the Hospital Access Program through examination of and comment on policy proposals, historical data, definitions and benchmarks.
• The Advisory Committee on Elective Surgery, chaired by Mr Brian Collopy, provided advice on the Elective Performance Enhancement Program, and monitors public hospital waiting lists.
• The Consultative Council on Emergency and Critical Care Services, chaired by Professor Ian Brand, received regular reports and provided comment on the emergency and critical care elements of the Hospital Access Program as it was developed.
• The Hospital in the Home Advisory Committee, provided advice on the evaluation of Phases One and Two of the HITH Program and the development of the 1998 - 99 Program.
• The Post-acute Care Advisory Committee, which includes representation from each of the funded PAC projects, monitors the implementation of the Program, advises on inter-patient developments and the development of the 1998 - 99 Program
• The CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure) Review Board has assisted in the development of the pilot program and will monitor its implementation and continued development during 1998 - 99.
• The Radiation Oncology Steering Committee has assisted the development of an output based funding system for outpatient radiation oncology.
• The Renal Reference Group , chaired by Mr Peter Donnelly, consists primarily of practising clinicians. This Committee played a key role in commissioning and reviewing the renal cost consultancy. It monitors on an ongoing basis both growth and technical developments in this modality.
• The Industry Finance Committee provides a forum to discuss and resolve financial issues including directions for purchasing policy.
• The Clinical Costing Standards Committee convened by Mr Dean Athan develops standards for activity costing after industry consultation and promulgates regular updates and refinements.
• The Activity Costing Advisory Committee, chaired by Mr Alan Studley, has representation from all Networks and regional hospitals. This committee advises on the quality of activity costing systems and their integration into management and quality monitoring reporting.