Audit of Structures and Functions in the Health System

The central theme of this report is the need to consolidate fragmented structures and functions to enable the health system deliver sustained value for money and a high quality of service for consumers. The question posed at the outset of the Audit was the extent to which the structures and functions of the health system are organised to deliver on the ambitions of the health strategy Quality and Fairness (2001). Our findings indicate that extensive reforms are required, that go beyond the structures in the health system, to encompass areas such as supporting processes and legislative change. As well as dealing with fragmentation there is a need to modernise the current structures and functions to lay the foundations for the future development of the system.

The purpose of the Audit is to make recommendations which will ensure clear lines of accountability between each part of the system, remove overlaps or duplication between organisations, and align the structure as a whole with the vision outlined in Quality and Fairness. The structures and functions should in turn build on existing strengths, release the potential for innovation and help healthcarers to achieve the maximum impact from their work. Most importantly, a better planned and managed health system should deliver measurably improved healthcare to all its patients and consumers.