Final Report on RREF 2001 - Department of Health

Part D: Achieving Equity in the HACC Program
2. The linking of HACC planning and resource allocation through the
RREF to planning and resource allocation of related programs at subregional
and local level was identified as a high priority. The analysis
of resource allocation formulas used in the Disability Services Program
and in the Post Acute Care Program identified a number of common
elements with the RREF, at the same time as acknowledging that
different elements were needs where target groups were different.
Programs without formal formulas were of more concern, as there was
a risk that resource allocation in these programs could distort needs
based allocation through the RREF. Consideration of the applicability
of the RREF or a similar formula to these program areas would go
some way to achieving more consistency.
3. The methods used by other State Governments to distribute HACC
funds within each state were found to be less well developed then the
current RREF, and rather than pointing to ways ahead for Victoria, the
Review was likely to provide a lead to other States. DHS has the
opportunity to take up several developments from the Review with the
Commonwealth in debate around the national equalisation strategy for
HACC funding. Two areas of particular relevance to the national scene
are the options developed for operationalising the definition of the
HACC target population and the need for continuing liaison with the
ABS in planning of the next DACS.
4. Consultations on targeting in HACC were held in conjunction with the
first round of consultations in the Review. Targeting is concerned with
the allocation of resources between clients on the basis of relative need
and so complements the operation of the RREF at regional level.
There was support for further development of the concept of a special
mechanism for funding clients needing exceptionally high levels of
support and funding, along the lines of the High Care Pool that has
been operated by the NSW Home Care Services since late 1998. A
report of the High Care Pool presented in early 2001 showed that it had
met the objectives set in relation to service mix targets, client
satisfaction, enabling HACC to maintain service levels of lower needs
clients and providing portability of service if clients relocated within
the state (Hetherington, 2001). These positive outcomes indicate that
the High Care Pool made an effective contribution to achieving equity
in HACC, and further the need to consider the option in Victoria.
Funding measures complementary to the RREF
Throughout the consultations and the subsequent modelling of options, it became clear that
while the current RREF and any revised RREF operates effectively as a tool for statewide
allocation on the basis of a consistent definition of need, it cannot address other factors that
have an impact on the cost of service delivery and hence on resource requirements, nor can it
address special cases that may arise in some areas but do not have statewide implications. Four
aspects of HACC funding arrangements outside the RREF were raised.
Part D: Achieving Equity in the HACC Program
<strong>Final</strong> <strong>Report</strong> July 2001 83