PCD Strategy Evaluation 2007.pdf - NT Health Digital Library ...

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION1.1 BackgroundIn the late 1990s, it became apparent that the economic and social costs of chronic diseases inthe Northern Territory were escalating, and that the current health system had limited capacity todeal with these increasing costs. Between 1992-93 and 1997-98 renal dialysis service in the NTdoubled, with an associated financial burden (9) . In 1997 it was estimated that chronic diseaseaccounted for about 25 per cent of the hospital budget, about 40 per cent in 1999 and, ifuncontrolled, was predicted to consume 56 per cent of the budget by 2004 (10) . Between 2000/01and 2002/03, excluding renal dialysis, about 7 per cent of hospital resources were used forhospitalisations directly caused by acute manifestations of chronic diseases. Renal dialysisaccounts for about 45 per cent of hospital resources when included, due to chronic diseaserelated hospitalisations (11) .The Northern Territory Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy (NTPCDS) was launched in August1999 by the NT Minister for Health, Family and Children‟s Services (1 p 2) . It is a strategic attemptto bring about change in the prevention, early detection and management of chronic diseases atall levels of the health care system in the NT. The strategy has a three-year goal, a ten-year goal,and a number of objectives it aims to achieve in key result areas.An evaluation of the NTPCDS was intended in 2002 to assess progress against achieving the 3-year goals, but this did not occur. In 2005-06 the community physician, supported by a projectofficer, undertook an evaluation process that consisted of a document review and thedevelopment of a draft report. In 2006, a gaps analysis was undertaken to identify those areasthat needed more information.In March 2007 RhED Consulting Pty Ltd was commissioned by the NT Department of Health andCommunity Services (NTDH&CS) to complete the evaluation of the NTPCDS.Terms of referenceThe terms of reference to complete the evaluation of the NTPCDS required the RhED consultingteam to:Chapter 1: Introduction – Evaluation of the NT Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy 2007 1