This audit assessed whether Queensland's public hospitals are cost-effectively using high-quality medical equipment and delivering the expected benefits. For this audit, we have defined high-quality medical equipment as equipment with a purchase value of € 1 million or more. We examined the process for purchasing the equipment, including whether value for money was taken into account in purchasing decisions.

Public hospitals in Queensland use medical equipment to help diagnose and treat patients. As technology advances, new equipment becomes available with the potential to improve health outcomes.

As a system manager, the Ministry of Health oversees system performance – both the performance of individual hospitals and health services and the performance of the healthcare system as a whole. Its role includes promoting the effective and efficient use of available resources in the delivery of health services, including the financing and overall effective use of quality medical equipment. The board and management of each hospital and health service are responsible for the delivery of efficient, effective and economical health care services within their respective facilities. Hospital and health services provide health services that meet the specific health needs of their local communities, own and operate high-quality medical equipment and are responsible for its ongoing management.

Replacing existing equipment and investing in new equipment can involve high costs in terms of purchase, installation, operation and disposal. It is important that our public hospitals manage their valuable equipment efficiently, effectively and economically so that they can continue to meet the growing demands on our healthcare system in a sustainable manner.

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