Health Services Evaluation and Contracting (HSEC)

Introduction

Health Services Evaluation and Contracting (HSEC) is a Directorate within the Joint Health Command (JHC).

JHC, through the Joint Health Services Agency (JHSA), provides a comprehensive range of medical, ancillary and dental services to personnel serving at Defence establishments at various locations within Australia.

JHC is progressively reviewing the delivery of the health services on a regional/state basis, with the aim of obtaining health services at a cost and standard representing best value for money while ensuring the provision of quality health care to ADF personnel.

Health Services Evaluation and Contracting (HSEC) leads the implementation of strategies to evaluate and improve the management of health services within the National Support Area of the JHC. HSEC is responsible for undertaking review and evaluation processes that are consistent with current Government policy, and within a framework benchmarked against best practice. HSEC works cooperatively with JHSA, the single Services and other stakeholders in the conduct of these reviews.

Delivery of Pathology Services to the ADF

A number of reviews into ADF pathology services were conducted to determine the best value for money option to support a sustainable deployable capability and workforce structure for current and future requirements. As a result, a Pathology Services Standing Offer Panel has been established to deliver an additional pathology capability to supplement a reduced number of in-house pathology laboratories. On 20 September 2006, a Health Directive was issued to outline the procedures to be followed when accessing the Panel.

In relation to the Pathology Services Standing Offer Panel, HSEC is responsibility for:

• Maintaining contact details of Panel members and defence delegates authorised to access the Panel;
• Providing advice to Defence delegates on the scope of their responsibility; and
• Ongoing management of the Panel and Deed of Standing Offer.

Current Activities & Projects

• Management of the Optometry Contract;
• Establishment of a contract with an external provider for the delivery of health services for the Albury-Wodonga Military Area;
• Management of a standing offer panel to provide Pathology services to the ADF Australia-wide;
• Costing a range of options for health service delivery arising from the Chief of Staff Committee (COSC) review; and
• Review of health services provided to bases in the Melbourne Metropolitan Area.

22 September, 2008