Evaluation of the Encouraging Better Practice in Aged Care (ebpac) Initiative Final Report

5.2Cost implications of community care projects

Table summarises the relevant unit of counting for each of the five community-based projects. For each unit of counting a separate line is used. In all projects the relevant units are: ‘resources’ and ‘consumers’. In CC1, CC2 and CC4 the cost ‘health professionals’ is also relevant. The next column shows the respective expenditure per unit. The last two columns show the date of the latest available receipts and expenditure report and the total funding received.

CC1

The CC1 project aimed to improve wound management in the community. According to the funding agreement $728,000 of funding was received. As of 31 January 2015, $638,914 was spent. This included $31,373 for the development of resources. In total 329 consumers and 295 health professionals took part in the project. Total expenditure (excluding resource development) was $1,847 per client and $2,060 per health professional.

The final report of the CC1 project provides some additional information on expenditure relating to the Leg Ulcer Prevention Program (LUPP) and the Skin Awareness Program (SAP). These differ to some extend from the statements of receipts and expenditure available to us and are only provided for information. The development of the LUPP book and DVD was costed at $18,034. Each participants received a LUPP kit at a cost of $113.The development of the SAP package cost $50,000 and each of the kits cost $39.

CC2

The CC2 program aimed at incorporating social and recreational activities into usual practice for home care clients. CC2 received $801,400 funding. Total expenditure was $720,469 as of 01 December 2014. The development of the training materials costed $13,680. In total, 152 health professionals and 189 consumers participated in the program. The total cost per health professional was $4,650 and $3,740 per consumer, excluding resource development.

CC3

The CC3 program received funding of $270,000 to provide home based music listening to consumers. As of 31 October 2014 the total expenditure was $261,739. This included $7,176 for the development of resources. In total, 97 consumers took part in the program. Total cost for each was $2,624.

CC4

According to the funding agreement, the CC4 project received $500,000 to increase the capacity of frail older people to design and direct their own care. As of 31 December 2014 only $353,081 was spent. This represents a considerable underspend and is expected to change once the final statement becomes available. Expenditure relating to development of resources was $12,515. The project cost for each of the 25 participating health professionals was $13,622. An additional 127 consumers participated; the costs amount for each was $2,681.

CC5

$1,297,000 of funding was provided to the CC5 model to encourage and support older people to maintain better oral health. As of 31 October 2014, $177,206 of the total $1,175,801 was spent for development of resources. 319 consumers took part in the program. The cost for each of them was $3,130.

Summary

Each of the five community projects developed resources. Expenditure across these projects varied, ranging from $7,176 in CC3 to $177,206 in CC5. Variation in cost per consumer (excluding resource development) was much less. Cost per consumer was lowest in CC1 with $1,847 and greatest in CC2 with $3,740.

Table Community care projects, expenditure and funding

Code	Description	Expenditure per Unit	Date	Funded Amount
CC1	1 Resource	31,373	31/01/2015	728,000
CC1	295 Health professionals	2,059	31/01/2015	728,000
CC1	329 Consumers	1,847	31/01/2015	728,000
CC2	1 Resource	13,680	01/12/2014	801,400
CC2	152 Health professionals	4,650	01/12/2014	801,400
CC2	189 Consumers	3,740	01/12/2014	801,400
CC3	1 Resource	7,176	31/10/2014	270,000
CC3	97 Consumers	2,624	31/10/2014	270,000
CC4	1 Resource	12,515	31/12/2014	500,000
CC4	25 Health professionals	13,623	31/12/2014	500,000
CC4	127 Consumers	2,682	31/12/2014	500,000
CC5	1 Resource	177,206	31/10/2014	1,297,000
CC5	319 Consumers	3,130	31/10/2014	1,297,000