About the VHA

THE VICTORIAN HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION

The Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) is the major peak body representing the interests of the public healthcare sector in Victoria. Our members are public hospitals, rural and regional health services, community health services and aged care facilities. Established since 1938, the VHA promotes the improvement of health outcomes for all Victorians, from the perspective of its members.

VISION

'The VHA will contribute to the achievement of optimal health outcomes for all Victorians'

MISSION

The VHA will achieve its vision of optimal health outcomes by advocating for the creation of health policy that achieves:

1. A priority focus on client-centred care, through
2. Adoption by government of policy that consistently reflects the physical, social and environmental aspects of personal health status, by
3. Service planning derived from population-based health analysis, requiring
4. The maintenance of a contemporary health workforce structured to meet the changing care needs of Victorians. This requires
5. Flexible funding models that provide for innovative approaches to addressing local health needs.

To implement this mission, the VHA will proactively engage with stakeholders and communities of interest in Victoria's public healthcare system. This will be facilitated via working groups, discussion forums, education and governance tools, aimed at improving the strategic capacity of our members for the benefit of the Victorian community.

VALUES

1. Leadership: non-partisan conduct, embracing change supported by best practice, resulting in a continuously improving health system
2. Transparency: evidence based research, promoted through open dialogue and shared information
3. Respect: valuing difference of opinion, acting honestly and ethically at all times, promoting excellence in performance

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

The overarching objective of the VHA is the improvement of the quality of health care in the Victorian public health care system in order to better promote, prevent and control disease in human beings.  The VHA will carry out its objectives by:

• Proactively working with all stakeholders to improve the quality of health care in the Victorian public health care system
• Developing and promoting policies that will meet the social and physical health needs of the Victorian community
• Facilitating the sharing of knowledge and information, and promoting independent discussion, on how best to improve the quality of health care in the Victorian public health care system
• Facilitating and disseminating research and training on how to improve the quality of health care in the Victorian public health care system
• Improving stakeholders' understanding of how the Victorian public health care system operates and is administered
• Fostering and developing relationships with similar organisations