In developing the initial RCH service plan, RCH established a set of service principles that were further defined by articulating existing RCH values or philosophy in relation to advocacy, care, education, health promotion, liaison, policy support and research. Both the service principles and the RCH values, in conjunction with the government and department policy context, became the framework for the development of the future RCH service profile.
A range of principles were identified to inform the new service delivery profile of the RCH drawing on the broad policy framework described above. The principles, as described in the service plan and other key RCH redevelopment documents, included:
• respect for children's needs and issues
• care coordination
• family focussed environment and facilities
• cultural, religious and social considerations
• life state and developmental issues
• chronic illness and disability issues
• access
• partnerships and linkages.
Key elements of the RCH service planning process included:
• communication-RCH staff and consumers were made aware of the service planning process via a variety of means, including consumer focus groups, staff forums, and briefings
• data collection and analysis-Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) information was utilised to provide an overview of the RCH catchment. Government population data, RCH admissions data and a forecasting model were utilised to analyse current activity levels and develop forecasts of future demand
• identification of the RCH current service profile (i.e. the numbers and types of patients cared for)
• development of RCH future service profile based on RCH admissions data, DHS' service planning tools-including the forecasting model-and consultation with consumers, stakeholders and staff. The future service profile considered projected demand for health services and supply issues including capacity needs of the hospital, efficiencies in service delivery, and the ability to work with other hospitals in a regional network response.
The development of the RCH service plan was a robust and comprehensive process that involved consultation with RCH clinicians, various working groups, reference groups, the RCH project steering committee and the RCH board.