As a consequence of submissions received by the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) during its consultation on the Draft Pricing Framework in January 2012, the Commission and IHPA have resolved to work together to provide options to their respective governing bodies on the most appropriate methodological approaches to ensure safety and quality in the provision of health care services.
A Joint Working Party of individuals, nominated by both organisations, has been established to advise the Commission and IHPA on the options for the consideration of safety and quality in the pricing of public hospital services in Australia.
Background
The Commission and IHPA are established under the National Health Reform Act 2011 (the Act) as statutory authorities.
The role of the Commission is to lead and coordinate improvements in safety and quality in health care in Australia by identifying issues and policy directions, and recommending priorities for action.
IHPA’s primarily role is to determine a national efficient price for public hospital services. From 2014-15 the national efficient price will determine the Commonwealth funding that flows to Local Hospital Networks.
The public health system is presently participating in many significant reforms, over and above the implementation of Activity Based Funding (ABF) nationally. An adjustment of price for quality must be supported by research and occur at a manageable pace.
Work undertaken to date
The Commission and IHPA have commissioned a literature review to examine the evidence and experience of health system approaches in Australia and internationally. This will be incorporated into a broader quality and pricing discussion paper for widespread consideration and feedback.
National consultation will ensure adequate time for careful consideration by key organisations and individuals. It is anticipated that the national consultation will begin in the second half of 2013.
Joint Working Party Safety and Quality members
The Commission and IHPA have established a joint working party of individuals, nominated by both organisations, to oversee and advise on the options for consideration. Members of this group were chosen for their individual significant experience and expertise.
| JWP Member | Position |
| Professor Debora Picone AM (Chair) | Chief Executive Officer, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care |
| Ms Carol Bennett | CEO Consumers’ Health Forum |
| Dr Stephen Christley | Chief Public Health Officer and Executive Director, Public Health and Clinical Systems at SA Health |
| Professor John Deeble | Emeritus Fellow, The Australian National University |
| A/ Professor Liza Heslop | Associate Professor at Victoria University |
| A/ Professor Louis Irving | Director of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Melbourne HospitalDirector of Clinical Training (PGY 2/3) |
| Professor Dorothy Jones | Executive Director, Performance Activity and Quality Division, Department of Health Western Australia |
| A/ Professor Brian McCaughan | Cardiothoracic surgeonBoard Chair, Clinical Excellence CommissionBoard Chair , Agency for Clinical Innovation |
| Mr Russell McGowan | President, Public Health Association of Australia (ACT Branch)Consumer Commissioner at Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care |
| Dr Peter McDonald | CardiologistSenior member of the cardiothoracic transplant program at St Vincent’s Hospital |
| Dr John Wakefield PSM | Executive Director of Medical Services, Children’s Health Queensland |
| Dr Diane Watson | CEO National Health Performance Authority |
| Dr Bernard Whitfield | Otolaryngology Head and Neck Chair – Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (QLD) |
| Professor Fiona Wood AM | Plastic SurgeonDirector of the Royal Perth Hospital Burns Unit and the Western Australia Burns Service. |
Next steps
1- Completion of the literature review
2- Development of discussion paper
3- Public consultation
This page will be updated as this initiative is progressed.