Patients can choose to be public or private patients for inpatient or outpatient services. Patients should not receive preferential access to services if they choose to be private patients. To facilitate private practice, health services enter into private practice agreements with senior medical specialists.

This audit examined whether the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and three audited public health services are effectively managing private practice in public hospitals to optimise outcomes for the health sector and Victorians.

The Victorian Auditor-General made 10 recommendations in total—seven for DHHS, two for health services and one for Western Health.