Stirling Griff (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Nash, Minister representing the Minister for Health. I refer the minister to the recent surgical variance reports released jointly by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Medibank. These reports demonstrate significant variances in length of stay, readmissions, hospital acquired complications and gap payments for surgeons. In general, the less experience a surgeon has the higher the complication rates and length of hospital stay and the higher the gap payment. What is the minister doing to assist Australians to obtain the best outcomes following surgery and day surgical procedures?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question, and for some advance notice of it, and note his genuine concern regarding these issues. The Minister for Health is supportive of work to increase the transparency of outcomes for patients and has already been working with the royal college of surgeons, health stakeholders, and the Department of Health in examining options to improve the information available to assist consumers in making informed decisions about their health care, including the development of a transparency model. States and territories are responsible for the delivery and performance of hospitals, and as part of the agreement with the Commonwealth we expect them to meet strict standards of care and performance. The government's action to keep the pressure on private health insurers has helped drive the lowest rise in premiums in 10 years—lower than in any year under the Rudd and Gillard governments. Minister Hunt has committed to work with insurers over the next year to find ways that insurers can deliver more value for customers without compromising on the quality of cover. Under the coalition, we have delivered 45 million more bulk-billed Medicare services in 2016-17 than in 2012-13 under Labor. This includes an extra 1.9 million bulk-billed specialist attendances compared to Labor.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Griff, a supplementary question.

Stirling Griff (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the minister to the UK's My NHS website, which allows consumers to make informed choices about surgical experiences and outcomes for a very wide range of procedures. Will the minister commit to developing a similar system to make this information on these indicators publicly available to patients?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I've stated, Minister Hunt is supportive of work to increase the transparency of outcomes for patients, working with the sector and stakeholders and the Department of Health in examining options to improve—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Griff, a point of order?

Stirling Griff (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is not answering the question, which is: will the minister commit to having a system similar to the My NHS website?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think we have to be fair to the minister—she's only just commenced her answer.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I've said, the minister is very supportive of that work to increase transparency, and he will be continuing to work with the Department of Health in examining those options to improve the information available to assist consumers in making informed decisions about their health care. This includes the development of a transparency model.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Griff, a final supplementary question.

Stirling Griff (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the minister aware of the large variation, between four per cent and 30 per cent, in live birth success rates between different Australian IVF clinics? Why is this information for a service which attracts Medicare rebates not publicly available to assist consumers in choosing the best providers?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly know that the Minister for Health recognises that this is a very complex and difficult area, with varying medical views regarding the merits of publishing success rates. The publishing of success rates is a matter for the Fertility Society of Australia. The society funds and operates the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database that collects information on every IVF clinic in Australia, including information regarding live delivery rates.