Independent Governance Review of the Health Services Act 2016 SUBMISSION PORTAL

Overview

Establishment of the Health Services Act 2016 

The Health Services Act 2016 commenced on 1 July 2016, providing a legal framework for clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities at all levels of the system and a devolved model of governance that enables decision-making closer to service delivery and patient care. The Act brought significant reform to the governance and structure of the WA health system: 

• The Department, led by the Director General, has been was established as the System Manager responsible for the overall management, performance and strategic direction of the WA public health system to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe and timely health services.

• Health Service Providers (HSPs)  were established as separate legal entities, governed by either a Chief Executive or a Board, legally responsible and accountable to the Minister for Health. HSPs have clear functions and powers under the Act relating to the provision of health services including preparing certain strategies, establishing procedures for dealing with complaints and monitoring and improving the quality of services provided. 

The Independent Governance Review  

The Minister for Health has commissioned an Independent Panel to provide advice on whether the roles and responsibilities within the health system are appropriately distributed. The Minister has also sought the Panel’s advice on whether current governance arrangements are operating in a way that enables the best possible experience and outcomes for patients, their families, and the health workforce. This includes an assessment of resource management, clinical outcomes and quality and safety of care. 

Terms of Reference 

The Terms of Reference for the Review are available here. 

Why your views matter

We need to hear from you 

Your feedback and perspective on the governance of WA's health system is important.  

The submission responses you provide  will help to inform the Panel’s advice in its Report to Government. The Government may use that Report to inform future changes to laws and policies relating to the governance of the WA health system. 

In addition to providing a submission, you are invited to provide your responses to a survey. More information about the survey is available here.  

How to Provide a Submission 

Download the Submission Form under the "Related" heading at the bottom of this page. 

Once you have completed the form and finished your submission, click the "Lodge Submission" link at the bottom of this page to upload your submission.  

Should you need assistance with your submission please contact IndependentGovernanceReview@health.wa.gov.au

Privacy and Collection Notice

We are committed to protecting the personal information you provide. You do not have to provide personal information to provide a submission.  All answer fields in the Submission Form are optional. 

Further information can be found here under "Your Privacy".

Publication of Submission

You have three choices in how we treat your submission: 

• publish with your name and/or organisation 

• publish anonymously 

• do not publish (confidential submission)

Submissions will be published at Independent Governance Review of the Health Services Act 2016 unless you have chosen to make your submission confidential. 

Submissions close at 5pm, Friday 20 May 2022.