Portland District Health Annual Report 2007 - South West Alliance of ...

Portland District Health
Chief Executive’s Report
Our Health Service
Beyond 2007
As the newly appointed interim Chief
Executive Officer of Portland District Health
I can only report from July 2007. I can
categorically state that we are facing many
challenges, but without doubt, should we
overcome these challenges, our health
service has a solid and exciting future.
Change often creates uncertainty, but
always opportunities. It forces us to grow
and develop. It challenges us.
The key changes include:
• Appointment of two delegates to the
Board by Victorian Health Minister
The Hon. Bronwyn Pike MP;
• Engagement of consultants Aspex
Consulting to prepare a five-year clinical
services plan and model of care;
• Engagement of Adjunct Associate
Professor Leanne Rowe to review
clinical governance;
• Engagement of Ms. Christine
Cunningham to review PDH’s primary
care service delivery model;
• Negotiation of a partnership with
Western District Health Service to
co-operate in the regional delivery of
corporate services, providing the
hospital with improved management
resources; and
THE FUTURE
At the time of writing this report, Portland District Health and the community
are awaiting a report from the consulting group Aspex Consulting on a five-year
clinical services strategy and model of care including the region’s emerging aged
care needs.
This report is of particular relevance as patient care services are currently underutilised
with a steady drift towards the larger referral hospitals at Warrnambool,
Hamilton and Geelong. Based on the changing needs of our communities, we
are also looking for new ways of delivering health services and focusing more
on supporting people to stay well and live healthier lifestyles. This change will
not happen overnight, but at a time when more individuals are focusing on how
they can make changes to live a more healthy life, our health service should be a
leader in this direction and support our community to make those changes.
The Department of Human Services has provided approximately $5.2m of
“top-up” funding to support Portland District Health over recent years. Clearly this
is not sustainable in the long run. Consequently, the Aspex Consulting report also
becomes pivotal to the future direction and funding of Portland District Health.
Professor Leanne Rowe has been engaged to assist PDH to develop a clinical
governance framework. This framework will strengthen our accountability for
continuous improvement in the quality of service delivery and safeguard high
standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care
will flourish, to ensure high quality care from all involved in the patients journey
and to ensure patients are the main focus and priority.
• The appointment of Deloittes to review
internal control systems.
Change often creates uncertainty,
but always opportunities. It forces us
to grow and develop.
PORTLAND DISTRICT HEALTH • ANNUAL REPORT 06/07