An expert panel has been appointed to conduct an independent governance review of the Health Services Act 2016, which established board-led Health Service Providers (HSPs) legally responsible and accountable for delivering health services to their communities.
When the Act took effect five years ago, the Department of Health assumed the role of system manager and over time a total of seven HSPs have been established, responsible and accountable for the delivery of safe, high-quality efficient and economical services for their areas.
The HSPs include the North, South and East metropolitan health services, WA Country Health Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, PathWest and Health Support Services.
The governance review will examine the operational and practical effectiveness of the governance structures set out in the Health Services Act 2016 and their impact on patient outcomes, prior to the commencement of a statutory review required under the legislation.
Panel members include:
Chair Ms Kym Peake, Partner, EY Port Jackson
Ms Peake has held senior roles in public administration as the former Secretary of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, and previous Deputy Secretary of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Ms Peake led significant governance changes within Victoria's public health system, including the creation of State-wide quality and safety entities, amalgamation of regional health services and creation of a new public entity to manage the purchasing, supply and distribution of medical consumables.
Dr David Rosengren, Executive Director Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Dr Rosengren has considerable and current clinical skills and experience working within a devolved governance health system and is a former Chair of the Queensland Clinical Senate.
Ms Jo Gaines, GESB Chair
Ms Gaines has extensive experience as an organisational leader and strategic policy director having worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to Premier Mark McGowan. Prior to this she was the Branch Assistant Secretary for the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association for 10 years.
Mr Gary Smith, Co-Chair of Reconciliation WA and Chancellor of Murdoch University
Mr Smith has 35 years of experience in the professional services industry and has provided business improvement and management consulting services to key industry sectors. A retired State Chair, KPMG, he brings strong governance skills and experience to the panel and has supported clients in matters of strategy, leadership, culture and process implementation.
The Review's consultation period will begin in February. More information will be released on how to make a submission to the Panel and the consultation process.
The Panel will report key findings and make recommendations to the Minister on any governance improvements required to support the future needs of the WA health system.
More information is available at https://www.health.wa.gov.au
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"We are extremely fortunate to have four highly skilled and experienced experts in their fields to report on whether the current legislation is supporting the McGowan Government to provide safe, high-quality, sustainable health care for all Western Australians.
"The legislation has been in place for five years so it is timely that a full review be undertaken so that it can hear the views of clinicians, staff, consumers and carers.
"This Review will help us independently establish if any changes are required to best support stakeholders, patients and staff to meet current and future demands."
