24/07/2014
Dr Tony Sherbon
CEO
Independent Hospitals Pricing Authority
Dear Dr Sherbon,
The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) appreciates the opportunity to make
comment on the Independent Hospitals Pricing Authority (IHPA) Work Plan 2014-15.
The Work Plan 2014-15 outlines clear program objectives and milestones for achievement. However
as we are entering a period of reasonable uncertainty in regards to the operation of a number of
federal level health agencies through the creation of the new health productivity and performance
commission, the Work Plan could benefit from details in this regard.
The Work Plan provides an opportunity to outline how the IHPA intends to manage any transition to
ensure that the program objectives are still able to be achieved, and provides a useful
communication tool to notify and involve essential stakeholders in preparing for this transition.
Further, in acknowledging the transfer, the work plan could provide some detail on a proposed
transition plan, in particular for the work outcomes due in the period when the transition is taking
place, but also for those outcomes occurring into the forward years when the IHPA will be replaced
by the new agency. This transition plan should account for continuation of critical work and the
continued responsibility to both the Commonwealth and states and territories, as well as how
stakeholders may be involved throughout the transition.
Similarly the work plan could also outline how work in relation to blood and blood products
proposes to continue with the National Blood Authority when it is merged with the Australian Organ
and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority, and any other agencies that the IHPA conducts
work with that have either terminated or been merged.
In addition to changes affecting federal health agencies, there are a range of structural changes
occurring within the health system, including the move to Primary Health Networks , that may
impact on the continuation and outcomes of the IHPA’s work. It is the view of the AHHA that the
IHPA Work Plan provides an opportunity to communicate these changes to key stakeholders and to
commence consulting on strategies to ensure continuation of the IHPA program objectives. I would
welcome the chance to review any further iterations of the 2014-15 Work Plan as they are
developed.
Yours sincerely,
Alison Verhoeven
Chief Executive
Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association
PO Box 78 Deakin West ACT 2600 Unit 8, 2 Phipps Close Deakin ACT 2600
T. +61 02 6162 0780 F. +61 02 6162 0779 E. admin@ahha.asn.au W. www.ahha.asn.au
ABN 49 008 528 470