EMHS 2023–24 financial summary

Total cost of services (expense limit)

Sourced from statement of comprehensive income

2023-24 target $000

$2,034,132

2023-24 actual $000

$2,165,755

Variation $000

$131,623

Net cost of services

Sourced from statement of comprehensive income

2023-24 target $000

$1,922,607

2023-24 actual $000

$2,043,613

Variation $000

$121,006

The variance in both the Total Cost of Services and Net Cost of Services is attributable to higher than anticipated expenditures in the 2023/24 financial year, compared to initial estimates. Employee benefits expense increased due to: 

a. unfunded salary costs associated with the Nursing Professional Development allowance and payout

b. unfunded COVID-19 related expenditure

c. expenditure on Community and Virtual Care programs exceeding the allocated funding

d. costs arising from patient complexity, including bed sit companions and increased security measures and 

e. the financial impact of cost of award increases that led to higher superannuation, penalties, and allowances, not fully covered by existing funding.

Other goods and services expenses increased mainly due to:

f. patient support costs being higher than anticipated, driven by increased expenses in drugs, medical, surgical, and diagnostic supplies

g. increase in purchase of outsourced services primarily due to activity levels surpassing targets, and 

h. expenditure on depreciation and amortisation, repairs and maintenance and purchase of consumable equipment exceeded initial estimates, reflecting the ongoing investment in and maintenance of essential assets necessary for Health Service operations.

Total equity

Sourced from statement of financial position

2023-24 target $000

$1,588,180

2023-24 actual $000

$1,629,892

Variation $000

$41,712

The initial estimates included capital appropriations that were later reclassified in the service agreement as income from the Department of Health. In addition, government-approved capital projects included in the initial estimates were subsequently funded by the Health Service from its cash reserves as per government direction. There was also a substantial increase in the value of the Health Service’s land and building assets resulting from Landgate’s annual revaluation process. Significant increases in expenditure contributed to an underestimation of the Health Service’s deficit.

Net decrease in cash held

Sourced from statement of cash flow

2023-24 target $000

-$5,883

2023-24 actual $000

-$12,446

Variation $000

-$6,563

Compared to initial estimates, the Health Service had to use its cash reserves to fund an increase in operational expenditure related to employee benefits expenditure and supplies and services, which was partially offset by a decrease in investing activities.

Approved salary expense level

Sourced from statement of comprehensive income

2023-24 target $000

$1,162,041

2023-24 actual $000

$1,223,878

Variation $000

$61,837

The variance in approved salary expenses is attributable to several key factors: 

a. unfunded salary costs associated with the Nursing Professional Development allowance and payout

b. unfunded COVID-19 related expenditure,

c. expenditure on Community and Virtual Care programs exceeding the allocated funding

d. costs arising from patient complexity, including bed sit companions and increased security measures 

e. the financial impact of cost of award increases that led to higher superannuation, penalties and allowances, not fully covered by existing funding.