Development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for a new National Health Genomic Policy Framework – Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
In 2017, the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council’s Hospitals Principal Committee developed the first National Health Genomic Policy Framework 2018–2021 (the lapsed Framework) with input from a jurisdictional advisory committee. The lapsed Framework sought to present a national vision for genomics in the Australian health system to ensure appropriate and equitable access and use. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the implementation of the lapsed Framework. In 2024–25, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) developed an updated National Health Genomic Policy Framework and associated implementation plan.
The Department engaged HMA in collaboration with KordaMentha to undertake consultations with non-government stakeholders to inform the New Framework’s development and prepare a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework. Key tasks included:
- Project initiation and planning
- Stakeholder engagement – HMA developed a stakeholder engagement plan suitable for the short timeframes available for consultation. This included virtual interviews with individuals or small groups from the same organisation, plus acceptance of written feedback on questions. Forty organisations were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview, with 24 organisations participating or providing a written response.
- Document review – HMA reviewed documents and policies relevant to the lapsed framework, including Departmental papers and published work from stakeholders
- Program logic and M&E workshops – HMA held three workshops with the Department and state/territory Departments of Health to prepare a program logic and draft M&E questions and indicators
- Data scoping – HMA undertook a data scoping exercise to identify potential data sources to measure performance indicators to ensure reporting is practical and possible on identified indicators. This included selective stakeholder consultation to fill information gaps when required.
- M&E Framework – Information was triangulated to prepare a draft and final M&E Framework, including an appropriate cost-effectiveness approach for the New Framework.
The project commenced in September 2024 and was completed in June 2025.
