A new budget program was introduced, comprising10 sub-programs, each with a focus on a group of related health conditions. This change represented a shift in focus from institutions to patient needs at all levels of health administration including planning, budgeting, funding and evaluation.

• A Statewide condition audit of all hospitals started which will enable the Department to develop a comprehensive understanding of the condition of our facilities as well as drive capital planning and expenditure over the coming years.
• The health service budget reform strategy was developed by representatives of the Health Department, teaching, non-teaching and rural health services. The strategy will enable better targeting of funding directly toward the specific health conditions of patients.
• A Waiting List Management Strategy was introduced which focuses on reducing the amount of time patients wait on lists for elective surgery. The strategy includes the better provision of information to patients about waiting times and the more efficient monitoring of these by the Health Department and the public tertiary hospitals.
• The Office of Health Review opened, bringing with it an avenue for patients of all health services to raise complaints and have their concerns reviewed and conciliated.
• A new Mental Health Act 1996 made its passage through Parliament. It will bring significant improvements to mental health care in Western Australia by enabling treatment previously confined to hospitals to be provided in community settings. The Act also provides for more rigorous means of appeal and review of involuntary orders.

The Health Department of Western Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Bryant Stokes