scholarly journals Strategic planning in hospitals in two Australian States: An exploratory study of its practice using planning documentation

1998 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Rohan Jayasuriya ◽  
A B Sim

Hospitals are under pressure to respond to new challenges and competition. Manyhospitals have used strategic planning to respond to these environmental changes. Thisexploratory study examines the extent of strategic planning in hospitals in twoAustralian States, New South Wales and Victoria, using a sample survey. Based onplanning documentation, the study indicated that 47% of the hospitals surveyed didnot have a strategic or business plan. A significant difference was found in thecomprehensiveness of the plans between the two States. Plans from Victorian hospitalshad more documented evidence of external/internal analysis, competitor orientation and customer orientation compared with plans from New South Wales hospitals. The paper discusses the limitations of the study and directions for future research.

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Radford ◽  
J. McKee ◽  
R. L. Goldingay ◽  
R. P. Kavanagh

In 1996, guidelines were produced for capture and radio-tracking protocols for koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) research within New South Wales (NSW). An integrated project commenced in 1998 to examine P. cinereus ecology and health status in Pine Creek State Forest. This project utilised intensive clinical and pathological assessment protocols on captured P. cinereus in combination with radio-tracking and ecological investigations. The methods used in this project were referred to the NSW Koala Research Committee (KRC) for review in mid 1999 due to the political profile of the study area. The KRC assessed the project protocols and reviewed the original guidelines incorporating some of the protocols used in the Pine Creek project. The outcome is a new set of protocols for P. cinereus research within NSW which are more explicit and restrictive than those applied to P. cinereus research elsewhere or to research on other species. In their current form the new guidelines require a substantial investment in time, equipment, personnel and finance; factors that may deter or restrict future, comprehensive ecological research on P. cinereus populations. They inadequately provide for some practices we believe important in minimising the invasiveness of P. cinereus capture. We propose amendments to the guidelines in the areas of personnel required, behavioural assessment, capture methods, processing safety and tracking frequency. We suggest that these amendments will render the guidelines more accessible to a broader range of projects, and easier to apply under field conditions while preserving the intent to maintain P. cinereus welfare and research best practice.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽  
Rodney P. Kavanagh

Populations of arboreal marsupials were assessed in forests before and after logging at different levels of logging intensity to determine the sensitivity of these species to habitat disturbance. The logging treatments imposed were unlogged controls and two intensities of integrated logging for sawlogs and woodchips. The mean basal area of trees retained in logged blocks ranged from 83% to 35% of pre-logging levels. The objective of the study was to develop better methods for managing arboreal marsupials within the wood production forests of southeastern New South Wales. Seven species of arboreal marsupials were recorded during the study, but the Greater Glider Petauroides volans was the only species recorded in sufficient numbers for analysis (86% of all records). No significant differences were observed between the treatments in counts of the Greater Glider before and after logging. However, given the observed trend and an a priori expectation of a decline in numbers of this species following intensive logging, a one-tailed statistical test was applied which resulted in a significant difference at P = 0.08 for the contrast between the unlogged controls and the most intensively logged treatment. The existence of a threshold in logging intensity within the range of 21 % to 39% retention of tree basal area, below which numbers of the Greater Glider suffer a marked decline, was inferred on the basis of comparisons with the results of other studies. Factors other than logging were important in determining the distribution of the Greater Glider. Elevation, in particular, was a significant environmental variable, with Greater Gliders more likely to occur in forests above 845 m a.s.1. The presence and absence of particular tree species also influenced the distribution of the Greater Glider. Forests containing Manna Gum E. viminalis and Mountain Gum E. dalrympleana were highly preferred compared to forests with a high proportion of E. obliqua. The presence of E. cypellocarpa appeared to improve the quality of habitat for the Greater Glider in forests dominated by E. obliqua. This study has shown that Greater Glider populations can be maintained at or near pre-logging levels when at least 40% of the original tree basal area is retained thoughout logged areas and when the usual practice of retaining unlogged forest in riparian strips is applied.


Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 306
Author(s):  
D. Mossman ◽  
C. Ooi ◽  
M. Loewenthal ◽  
M. Boyle

Background: Chlamydia Trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Australia and world wide. This study was undertaken to map the frequency of Chlamydia genotypes in regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia, to explore the potential utility of genotype analysis in defining local sexual networks, and to investigate whether patterns of genotype frequency are correlated with demographic factors, including age and gender. Methods: We studied 204 urine samples infected with Chlamydia trachomatis, as determined by PCR analysis using the COBAS Amplicor system. Samples were collected from wide geographic area of regional New South Wales (Hunter, New England, Northern Rivers, South Eastern New South Wales). Sequencing and genotyping were performed after nested PCR of the omp1 gene. Results: Genotype E was found in 42.6% of infections, with genotypes F (23.5%) and G (16.7%) other common causes of infection. Mixed infection occurred in only 3 cases. There was no significant difference in genotype frequency based on gender or geographic location. There was a significant difference in gender frequency based on patient age, with older patients significantly more likely to demonstrate infection with genotype G (mean age (years) 23.7+/-7.29 sd, E: 21.7 +/-5.7 sd; G: 28.9; sd 10.18; p�=�0.022). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in genotype frequency in the various regions of New South Wales, suggesting genotype analysis is of limited use in defining sexual networks in regional NSW. The finding of a higher frequency of genotype G in older patients raises the possibility that genotypic variation may be driven by immune responses to genotypes that occur more frequently at a younger age. These results may have implications for the future design of a chlamydial vaccine.


1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Catling ◽  
R. J. Burt

The distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in the major vegetation alliances in the eucalypt forests within an area of c. 24000 km2 in north-eastern New South Wales were examined. Data for 33 species of mammal from 21 areas containing 30 vegetation alliances were collected. Four notable aspects of the data were the absence or low abundance of the introduced fox (Vulpes vulpes), the widespread distribution and abundance of the cat (Felis catus), the diversity and abundance of medium-sized native mammals and the diversity of small mammals. Although differences occurred between areas and alliances, there was no significant difference in the number of native and introduced species. The ground-dwelling mammals present in the eucalypt forests of north-eastern New South Wales were more diverse and in greater abundance than those found in forests of south-eastern New South Wales. However, some species, such as the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), appear to be in urgent need of protection and management if they are to persist.


2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 675 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Bush ◽  
R. Barnett ◽  
I. J. Links ◽  
P. A. Windsor

The prevalence of Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in Australia was estimated to be 5.2% using 2009 abattoir surveillance data from all States supplied by Animal Health Australia involving 5029 lines comprising 1 339 463 sheep. This is a decrease from the 26% estimated in a similar study in 1995. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in CLA prevalence between all states except Tasmania and Victoria (P = 0.75) with prevalences of 12.8 and 12.9%, respectively. Western Australia recorded the lowest prevalence with 1.0%. The average CLA prevalence for New South Wales was 5.3% and within three surveyed Livestock Health and Pest Authority regions (Tablelands, Central North and Central West) was 2.9, 4.9 and 4.4%, respectively. The attitude of the majority of producers surveyed in these three Livestock Health and Pest Authority areas was that CLA was of little or no significance (75%) but were aware of the need for CLA control with ~68% using 6-in-1 vaccine, though only 39.9% as recommended. It appears that the prolonged use of CLA vaccination has been successful in reducing the prevalence of CLA across Australia and particularly in New South Wales. Further improvements in communication of information on preventative management practices associated with lice control, importance of using an approved vaccination program, plus increasing producers’ awareness of the importance of CLA control, are indicated.


1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 881 ◽  
Author(s):  
TR Grant ◽  
M Griffiths ◽  
RMC Leckie

Female platypuses captured in waters of eastern New South Wales were found to be lactating between the months of October and March. Lactating females were most numerous in December, accounting for 64% of females captured. Non-lactating females were taken in all months, indicating that not all females breed successfully every year. There was no significant difference between the fatty acid complement of milk taken from a platypus lactating very late in the season and those of others sampled in December at the peak of the lactation season. Some evidence exists that females do not become reproductive until at least their second year of life. Some females were found lactating in consecutive years, and others lactated one year and not in the one following. Animals of over 9 years of age are known to breed. Most juveniles were captured in February, March and April, and it is suggested that the young leave the breeding burrows for the first time in late January through to March, and become independent from their mothers, who are ceasing lactation at that time.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Tran ◽  
T. K. Smith

Free and conjugated deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) were determined in samples of cereal grain collected from the 2009, 2010 and 2011 crops in the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Free DON was absent in 53–64% of analysed samples. Levels of free DON ranged from 0.10 to 7.31 µg/g. The highest levels of free DON were found in samples collected from the New South Wales 2010 crop while no samples from South Australia or Western Australia regions contained this compound. Free DON in the samples collected from the 2010 crop was significantly higher compared with those from the 2009 and the 2011 crop. Conjugated DON was detected in 61, 87 and 68% of contaminated grain samples in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 crop, respectively. Conjugated DON was found mainly in the samples collected from the 2009 crop (up to 48%) and the 2011 crop (up to 43%) but no significant difference between free DON and total DON content was observed. The current survey emphasises the frequency of non-detectable, conjugated DON in Australian cereal crops and the potential challenges in understanding the hazard posed by DON-contaminated feedstuffs.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Rankin ◽  
Jennifer A. Barron ◽  
Lisbeth G. Lane ◽  
Catherine A. Mason ◽  
Sue Sinclair ◽  
...  

There is limited published evidence about how psychosocial services should be organised or routinely integrated into cancer services to ensure that cancer patients receive appropriate psychological, social and emotional support during periods of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. This paper reports on a survey of 26 oncology services in New South Wales, Australia, to examine the current provision of psychosocial oncology services. The aim of the study was to gather baseline data and information about the provision of services and to identify significant challenges associated with the development and implementation of psychosocial oncology services. A total of 42% of staff at psycho-oncology services reported they could provide adequate psycho-oncology services, but 58% of sites said they could provide either only limited (27%) or very limited (31%) services. We found that services frequently identified challenges such as insufficient funding to employ skilled staff to provide psychosocial interventions, inadequate data to demonstrate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions and, at times, lack of space to allow privacy for patient consultations. Future needs identified were strategic planning of psychosocial oncology services as part of broader cancer service plans, leadership of psychosocial oncology services, cohesive teams using agreed patient pathways or tools and integration into multi-disciplinary cancer teams. What is known about the topic? Psychosocial oncology services provide vital psychological interventions and social programs that can significantly improve patients’ adjustment to the experience of cancer. Limited evidence from other countries suggests there are significant challenges in developing and delivering quality, evidence-based psychosocial oncology services in a coordinated, cohesive and timely manner. Little is known about these services in the Australian context or the challenges they face. What does this paper add? This paper presents baseline information about the structure of psychosocial oncology services in NSW and identifies the significant challenges faced by these services. It describes these challenges with regard to service structures, availability and provision of services, screening for patient distress, strategic planning and funding, leadership and delivery-focussed issues. What are the implications for practitioners? There is a need for strategic planning of psychosocial oncology services as part of broader cancer service plans. Identified leadership of psychosocial oncology services and cohesive psychosocial teams that use agreed patient pathways or tools would be greatly beneficial, as would integration of psychosocial staff into multi-disciplinary teams. The findings may enhance quality improvement efforts in the development and delivery of psychosocial support for cancer patients, their families and carers.


Author(s):  
B. Harding ◽  
A. Foreman

New South Wales is embarking on a major reform program named Cadastre NSW. This reform aims to move to a single source of truth for the digital representation of cadastre. The current lack of a single source cadastre has hindered users from government and industry due to duplication of effort and misalignment between databases from different sources. For this reform to be successful, there are some challenges that need to be addressed. <br><br> “Cadastre 2034 – Powering Land &amp; Real Property” (2015) published by the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM) identifies that current cadastres do not represent real property in three dimensions. In future vertical living lifestyles will create complex property scenarios that the Digital Cadastral Database (DCDB) will need to contend with. While the NSW DCDB currently holds over 3 million lots and 5 million features, one of its limitations is that it does not indicate land ownership above or below the ground surface. <br><br> NSW Spatial Services is currently capturing survey plans into LandXML format. To prepare for the future, research is being undertaken to also capture multi-level Strata Plans through a modified recipe. During this research, multiple Strata Plans representing a range of ages and development types have been investigated and converted to LandXML. Since it is difficult to visualise the plans in a two dimensional format, quality control purposes require a method to display these plans in three dimensions. Overall investigations have provided Spatial Services with enough information to confirm that the capture and display of Strata Plans in the LandXML format is possible.


2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Gilroy

Immediately following the review of the New South Wales (NSW) Kangaroo Management Program (KMP) in 1997, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service initiated a strategic planning process involving the NSW Kangaroo Management Advisory Committee. In April 2000 the strategic planning process progressed into a full review of the KMP 1998-2002 and various reports were commissioned. The draft KMP 2002-2006 was released for public comment on 14 July 2001. Key issues considered when preparing the new program were the legislative framework, the inclusion of goals and objectives that can be audited, the merits of damage mitigation as a rationale for commercial kangaroo use and the format and writing style of the KMP 1998-2002. Following analysis of submissions on the draft KMP 2002-2006, the program was finalised and submitted to the Australian Commonwealth Government for approval. The KMP 2002-2006 was approved by the Commonwealth and is valid from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006. The KMP 2002-2006 has a single overarching goal to maintain viable populations of kangaroos throughout their ranges in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. This goal is serviced by six new management-based objectives, each of which is covered by a specific section in the new management program. The new management program no longer relies on identification of damage as justification for commercial kangaroo use, and facility for an adaptive management approach has been added for the first time. Specific arrangements for ongoing program audits, periodic full program reviews and community awareness and participation are further additions to the new management program.


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