A performance audit on the management of care for people living with serious and continuing illness found the ACT Health Directorate has not been effective in driving improvement of care.
In his report, Management of Care for People Living with Serious and Continuing Illness, Auditor-General, Michael Harris said the audit considered chronic disease management activities in the ACT since 2013, with reference to four commitments made over time aimed at improving the healthcare system in the Territory and particularly the healthcare system that serves those living with serious and continuing illness.
“These four commitments have not been effective in expressing improvement priorities, or in driving or demonstrating improvements to the care of people living with serious and continuing illness in the ACT,” Mr Harris said.
“The ACT Health Directorate has not established an effective strategic direction for the improvement of care through these commitments,” he said.
“While acknowledging the major structural change that ACT Government health entities have gone through since 2016, improving the management of chronic conditions has not been afforded the priority envisaged in the four commitments.”
Mr Harris said none of the commitments considered in the audit added significant value to the ACT community.
“ACT Health Directorate officials’ and partners’ time and effort in developing strategies, plans and governance arrangements, and in monitoring and reporting on progress represents a significant lost opportunity for improving health outcomes,” he said.
He made five recommendations for improvement, including addressing the National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions and the Directorate and Canberra Health Services work in partnership with non-government and community-based organisations for the delivery of chronic disease management.
The Auditor-General’s 125-page report can be accessed at this PS News link and the audit team was Jonathan Brown with Taylah Commisso and David Kelly.
