provider code, task code and service code were available
for each visit. No independent validation of these data were
available but Silver Chain ran routine data quality checks that
were regularly scrutinised by nurse managers. The hourly
wage rates for providers were provided by Silver Chain for
the period 2009–2010. Travel costs were estimated from
the Australian Tax Office rates per business kilometre for a
medium-sized car (1601–2600 cc) for the tax year 2009–
2010 (A$0.74/km) assuming an average speed of 30 km/h.