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Private practice in the Queensland public sector

Directive number: QH-HSD-044:2014

Effective date: 16 September 2020

Review Date: 16 September 2023

Supersedes: Version 2

On this page:

Purpose

To ensure private practice activities in the Queensland public health sector are sustainable, support patient choice and workforce retention.

Scope

This Health Service Directive applies to Hospital and Health Services.

Principles

  • Consistency: contracts and agreements regarding private practice in Queensland public health sector facilities are consistent
  • Efficiency and value: private practice is conducted in a way that supports overall service sustainability and best use of public resources
  • Managed: private practice is actively managed and monitored by Hospital and Health Services
  • Simplicity and transparency: obligations, performance criteria and fees for private practice are accessible, clear and consistent
  • Patient centred: private practice is conducted in a way that prioritises patients’ needs
  • Value for money: private practice is conducted in a way that is financially sustainable in the benefits it creates

Outcomes

Hospital and Health Services must achieve the following outcomes:

  • An established and documented governance framework for private practice in the Hospital and Health Service
  • Private practice arrangements at the Hospital and Health Service are documented and supported by a written contract or agreement between the health service and the practitioner/entity performing the service/s
  • Standardised fees are levied to clinicians engaging in private practice activities
  • Private practice enhances and supports the delivery of public practice
  • Patients are provided with the choice to be treated as a public or private patient in accordance with the National Healthcare Agreement 2013.

Mandatory requirements

All Hospital and Health Services must:

  • Use the standard granted private practice agreement template (Senior Medical Officers) issued by the Department of Health, unless otherwise approved by the Director-General
  • Use the standard granted private practice schedule template (Visiting Medical Officers) issued by the Department of Health, unless otherwise approved by the Director-General
  • Ensure Licensed Private Practice arrangements are documented
  • Conduct performance reviews of private practice activities annually
  • Ensure fees are charged for private practice services in accordance with the Queensland Health Fees and Charges Register
  • Comply with the Private Practice in the Queensland Public Health Sector Framework
  • Ensure all clinicians and support staff have access to training and education material appropriate to their roles and responsibilities regarding private practice
  • Establish a local private practice governance committee (or a committee with adequate terms of reference) to oversee the administration and sustainability of private practice arrangements operating within their service.
  • Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cwth)
  • Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld)
  • Health Employment Directive 8/14 Visiting Medical Officers – Employment Framework
  • Health Service Directive QH-HSD-045 “Fees and Charges for Health Care Services”
  • National Health Reform Agreement 2012
  • National Healthcare Agreement 2013

Supporting documents

  • Private practice in the Queensland public health sector framework
  • Guideline to patient billing practices in the Queensland public health sector
  • Queensland Health Fees and Charges Register
  • Governance Framework for SERTA Moneys (Department of  Health – Administration of General Trust Monies Policy)

Business area contact

Revenue Strategy and Support Unit, Finance Branch, Corporate Services Division, Department of Health

Review

This Health Service Directive will be reviewed at least every three years.

Date of last review: March 2020

Supersedes: Version 2

Approval and implementation

Directive Custodian

Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services Division, Department of Health

Approval by Chief Executive

Director-General, Department of Health

Approval date: 16 September 2020

Issued under section 47 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011

Version control

VersionDate Prepared byComments
1.0 July 2014 Finance Branch  
2.0 January 2016 Revenue Strategy & Support Unit, Finance Branch and HRS Branch

The following changes were made:

  • ‘Purpose’ section reworded.
  • ‘Principles’ section reworded to reflect the changes in the medical officer’s employment arrangements and additional principle added ‘Value for money’.
  • “Outcomes’ section reworded to reflect the changes in the medical officer’s employment arrangements and additional information added regarding patient choice.
  • ‘Mandatory requirements’ section reworded to reflect the changes in the medical officer’s employment arrangements and an additional requirement has been added around complying with the ‘Private Practice in the Queensland Public Health Sector Framework’ document.
  • ‘Related or governing legislation, policy and agreements’ section has been updated.
  • ‘Supporting documents’ section has been updated.
  • Directive’s Custodian has changed.
3.0 March 2020 Revenue Strategy & Support Unit, Finance Branch The following changes were made:
  • ‘Outcomes’ section, changed ‘Queensland public health sector’ to ‘Hospital and Health Service’ in the first dot point.
  • ‘Outcomes’ section, added the word ‘documented’ to the second dot point.
  • ‘Mandatory requirements’ section, added a requirement about ‘Licensed Private Practice arrangements’.
  • ‘Related or governing legislation, policy and agreements’ section has been updated with reference to HSD 045 – Fees and Charges for Health Care Services.

Definitions of terms used in this directive

TermDefinitionSource
Clinician An individual who provides diagnosis, or treatment, as a professional:
  • medical practitioner
  • nurse
  • allied health practitioner; or,
  • health practitioner not covered by

paragraph a), b) or c) (National Health Reform Act 2011).

National Health Reform Act 2011
Fees Fees outlined in the Queensland Health Fees and Charges Register Health Service Directive # QH- HSD-045 – Fees and Charges for
Health Care Services
Private Practice The provision of professional services to a person who could receive treatment free of charge under the National Health Reform Agreement 2011 (as amended or replaced) but who has elected to be treated privately in the public system; or a person who agrees to be a fee-paying patient (including third party compensable private patients i.e. through motor vehicle insurance, workers’ compensation, Department of Veterans’ Affairs etc.) of the clinician and makes this election on the basis of informed financial consent. Private practice in the Queensland Public Health Sector Framework
Public sector
health service facility
A facility at which public sector health services are provided Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld)
Last updated: 16 September 2020