Page
Health Overview
Completion of the Department of Health and its controlled entities’ financial reports were again delayed. Statutory dates were not achieved.	23
The consolidated entity budgeted for a $13.4 million operating surplus for 2007‑08, but the actual result was a $380 million deficit. Budget monitoring during the year did not detect the extent of the overrun.	24
Amounts owing to trade creditors were $312 million at 30 June 2008, a significant increase from $162 million at 30 June 2007. Creditors over 45 days totalled $75.1 million. We found that in some cases invoices were placed ‘on hold’ or ‘in dispute’ because Area Health Services did not have funds to pay them.	25
Last year we recommended a review be undertaken on the appropriateness of the continued use of fully depreciated plant and equipment. Some initial review was undertaken but more is required.	27
The Department still has not resolved whether the Treasurer’s Directions apply to Area Health Services. This issue has been outstanding for a number of years.	29
Improved data collection on the use of contract staff is required for monitoring and reporting purposes. Appropriate data was unable to be provided to us.	29
Hospital bed occupancy ranged from 90.9 percent in the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service down to 71.0 per cent in the Greater Southern Area Health Service.	30
All eight Area Health Services achieved the Category 1 target for critical care triage for life threatening situations. For Category 2 life threatening situations, six Area Health Services achieved the target compared to eight last year. For the remaining life threatening situation, Category 3, four Area Health Services achieved the target compared to three last year.	34
Patients on elective surgery waiting lists increased from 56,630 to 58,173 over the year. However, the number of patients waiting more than waiting period benchmarks reduced by more than half compared to last year.	35
New South Wales triage performance, based on 2006-07 data was equal to or better than the national average in all five triage categories.	36
A large amount of funds are held in trust and special purpose accounts. The use of these funds for health operations is restricted. Some of these funds have been held for a number of years.	37
Health Administration Corporation
The Corporation again did not meet the statutory timeframe for preparation of its accounts.	94
The Corporation is taking action to ensure expected savings from the centralising of corporate services to the health sector are realised.	94
Salary overpayments to health entities’ staff were not being adequately reported or monitored.	95
There was insufficient claims history at 30 June 2008 to determine any reliable valuation of outstanding claims in the newly created Ambulance Death and Disability Fund.	95
Department of Primary Industries
The Department’s 2007‑08 annual report did not disclose actual targets for its key performance indicators.	117
Forestry Commission of New South Wales (trading as Forests NSW)
For the second year in a row we were unable to obtain sufficient evidence on the valuation of native forests worth $333 million on 30 June 2008. Additionally, there was uncertainty over the tax deductibility of significant plantation costs.	124

Return to Contents page of the Auditor-General's Report to Parliament 2009 Volume One