The Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) welcomes the release of the ‘Investing in community health infrastructure’ report by Victoria’s independent advisory body Infrastructure Victoria.
The report finds that Victorians experiencing disadvantage are more likely to end up in hospital for avoidable or preventable health issues, and that early intervention is essential to prevent this. It outlines the vital role of both Registered and Integrated Community Health Services in providing cost-effective community-based care, with 3 recommendations to support immediate prioritisation of infrastructure planning, maintenance, expansion and upgrades.
By 2036, demand for Community Health Services in growth areas is predicted to more than double. However, a key finding of the report is that many Registered Community Health Service’s buildings are ageing and may not be fit for use in the coming years. This is having an impact on the number of services offered and the number of people Community Health Services can treat, of which there is growing demand for. 89% of Registered Community Health Services rated at least one of their buildings as being in poor condition or close to the end of life.
VHA CEO Leigh Clarke said the report demonstrates the opportunity to upgrade and expand the infrastructure that supports early intervention, health prevention and promotion. This will maximise and draw upon the existing capability of Community Health Services.
‘The VHA strongly supports the findings in Infrastructure Victoria’s report into Community Health Service infrastructure. The evidence in this report confirms what we have been hearing from our members directly, and our call for investment in infrastructure across the state – this will support services to meet the high demand for primary and preventative healthcare across Victoria,’ Ms Clarke said.
‘Community Health Services are a known and trusted part of the Victorian community, providing care in the right place at the right time. Asset investment, supported by long-term planning, is vital to reducing health inequities and improving access to care, particularly in Victoria’s growth areas and pockets of the communities where disadvantage may be greatest.’
Ms Clarke said that the VHA supports the recommendation to conduct a thorough asset assessment, and work closely with all Community Health Services – both independent services and those integrated in hospitals – to undertake long-term planning of infrastructure priorities. Ms Clarke notes, that whilst integrated Community Health Service infrastructure was not a focus of the survey, it is still reflected in report, particularly in the asset assessment recommendation.
‘It is vital this is done in partnership with Community Health Services as they understand the needs of their communities best,’ Ms Clarke said.
Of note is the report’s recommendation to invest in Community Health Services over the next 5 years – in particular funding for maintenance, upgrades and expansion. This would follow identification of infrastructure priorities, and would also support capital planning for major new projects.
‘The VHA is pleased to see this work spotlight the challenges that services are facing in maintaining high-quality infrastructure, in particular securing sustainable funding for asset maintenance,’ Ms Clarke said.
She said as the report shows, the fragmented nature of funding can be a major barrier to taking investments forward.
‘We know that many of our Registered Community Health Services are managing ageing assets and relying year-on-year funding across numerous sources, both Federal and State, and across sectors, such as aged care and disability.
‘The VHA supports the proposal for the Federal Government to co-fund this investment in partnership with the Victorian Government, recognising both levels of government are critical components of this.’
She added that the VHA looked forward to seeing the Victorian Government respond to the findings over the short to medium term.
‘With a Victorian State election less than 18 months away, the VHA calls on both major parties to commit to responding to the findings from this report. In the interim, we would like to see both the next Victorian and Federal Budgets prioritise capital funding for infrastructure maintenance, upgrades and expansion,’ Ms Clarke said.
Read the report on the Infrastructure Victoria website.
Key points
The VHA welcomes the release of the ‘Investing in community health infrastructure’ report by Victoria’s independent advisory body, Infrastructure Victoria.
In identifying the state’s needs, the authority has determined immediate prioritisation of infrastructure maintenance, upgrade and expansion for both Registered and Integrated Community Health Services.
This work was informed by an infrastructure survey of Victoria’s 24 Registered Community Health Services, a consumer survey of 4,000 Victorians on their community health use and preferences, mapping of community health locations and accessibility and case study interviews.
Recommendations:
Conduct an asset assessment of all community health facilities, including integrated and registered community health organisations.
Undertake long-term infrastructure planning in consultation with community health organisations and use this to develop community health infrastructure investment priorities.
Invest in community health facilities to support the delivery of local, high-quality community health organisations over the next 5 years.
Once the Victorian Government has identified infrastructure priorities for community health organisations, it should commit funding for the first 5 years of these priorities. This should include funding for maintenance and minor works, upgrades and expansions of existing sites, consolidation of existing sites and the development of new facilities. Funding should also support capital planning including business case development for major new projects.
For further information contact
Tanya Vieyra, Communications & Engagement Manager
0400 515 444
Visit our website: www.vha.org.au