Report on performance
Outcome and output structure
PSR contributes to the Health and Ageing portfolio outcomes. The PSR Scheme is funded to ensure that any requests by Medicare Australia to investigate suspected cases of inappropriate practice are reviewed and, if necessary, examined by a committee of the practitioner’s peers.
The PSR outcome specified in the Portfolio Budget Statement 2007–08 was:
Australians are protected from meeting the cost and associated risks of inappropriate practices of health service providers.
The key performance information specified for PSR in the Portfolio Budget Statement 2007–08 was:
| Indicator | Measured by | Reference point or target |
|---|---|---|
| High degree of awareness and understanding of the PSR process within the professions. | Surveys undertaken annually. | Awareness and support of the PSR Scheme by the professions. |
| Improved efficiency of PSR’s internal processes. | Process improvements. | Timeframes reduced and internal processes streamlined. |
| Price: $6.198 million | ||
In line with these indicators, PSR’s focus in 2007–08 was on maintaining the support of the professions for the PSR Scheme and on improving its internal processes.
PSR continued to build on the success of its Report to the Professions, now in its third year, which has effectively served the dual purposes of educating the professions about the PSR Scheme and PSR’s activities, and acting as a deterrent to those who might see elements of their own practice reflected in the cases described. The 2006–07 Report to the Professions was distributed to 55,000 practitioners and attracted significant attention from the general and medical media.
The Director has also used regular opportunities to respond to media interest in issues relevant to PSR activities. In 2007–08 these issues included the ability of the PSR Scheme to scrutinise the activities of specialists, corporate medicine and the operation of specialty GP clinics such as those dealing with skin cancer and those offering unreferred cardiovascular check ups.
During the year PSR developed a strategy to enhance these reactive media activities with a more proactive approach to communication and education. The strategy will be implemented in 2008–09.
To supplement the Report to the Professions, PSR embarked on a series of information evenings held in all state capital cities. The information evenings provided opportunities for stakeholders to meet with the Director and PSR staff to hear about the outcomes of the 2006 Review of the PSR Scheme, current activities in PSR and plans for the future. The information sessions were well received, and stakeholders provided feedback and suggestions on a range of issues that have been incorporated into PSR’s planning processes.
To improve its internal processes, PSR conducted a comprehensive review of its business activities to identify opportunities to refine timeframes and streamline practices. This process allowed PSR to further redevelop its organisational structure to better support the new processes. Full implementation of the new organisational structure and workflows, along with revised operational performance indicators, will continue through 2008–09.