Victorian ophthalmology service planning framework

14 Victorian ophthalmology service planning framework
2.4 Report structure
Section 3 of this report is presented in the structure developed by the Victorian Quality
Council, Better quality, better health care: a safety and quality improvement framework
for Victorian health services (VQC, 2003).
The safety and quality framework document was developed as a component of a
strategic approach to improving the safety and quality of patient care in Victoria. While it
has been developed for application by health services rather than across a health system,
it identifies six dimensions of quality - safety, effectiveness, appropriateness, acceptability,
access and efficiency - and four key organisational elements - governance and leadership,
consumer involvement, competence and education, and information management -
which are important considerations when ensuring a safe and high quality health system.
These are equally applicable to system-wide safety and quality of care. Definitions of the
six dimensions of quality and four key organisational elements are provided in Appendix 5.
2.5 Scope and definitions
Eye care professionals
In this framework, the term ‘ophthalmology services’ has been interpreted to encompass
medical and non-medical eye health care and related services provided by a range of
health care professionals. It includes services provided by specialist and sub-specialist
ophthalmologists, general practitioners (GPs), orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmic
nurses and health care professionals working in emergency department settings.
Definitions of these professions are provided in Table 1.