Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

Good Practices and InnovATIONS in Public Governance
Asia and the Pacific
Australia
2010 category 4 – 1st Place Winner
Knowledge Network
National Blood Authority
Description
This is a public-private knowledge network initiative enabling the National Blood
Authority to deliver a safe, affordable and secure supply of blood products for all
citizens and better value for the government.
Summary
Australia’s National Blood Authority (NBA) was set up in 2003 to improve the management
of the nation’s blood supply and get better value for government expenditures
on blood products. As part of an organisational capacity-building strategy, the
NBA decided to create a private and civil knowledge network. Through this knowledge-network
initiative, the NBA has maintained an adequate supply of blood, plasma
and recombinant products to meet 100 percent of identified clinical needs since
2003. There has been no recurrence of the previous supply shortfalls. Establishment
of the network has enabled them to develop more robust risk-analysis and risk-mitigation
strategies based on an in-depth understanding of how products are used, the
supply chain and product production. Based on a detailed needs assessment, this
initiative has addressed the challenges of achieving reliable and appropriate supplies
of safe and affordable blood products through a well-thought-through and well-implemented
strategy for cooperation between public and private actors to provide citizens
with a more secure supply of high-quality blood products, better value for money
and more appropriate use of products.
The Problem
Australia spends approximately 0.73 percent of its national health budget on providing
fresh blood, plasma and recombinant blood products. These are key elements in
the ongoing and emergency health-care requirements for many citizens. The NBA
was established in 2003 to undertake planning, purchasing and management functions
for the Australian blood sector.
The challenge was to create the NBA as a small expert body that could improve the
delivery of blood-related health services to all citizens and be a valuable information
resource for the government about contemporary blood issues. An initial assessment
of core capability requirements highlighted the need to:
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