Independent Governance Review 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 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) have been 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.

A panel of highly skilled and experienced professionals will undertake the governance review. The panel is scheduled to meet formally from February 2022 and comprises:

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 thirty-five 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.

In carrying out the review, the Panel will consider the governance of the WA Health System in relation to:

• the efficiency and effectiveness of the devolved governance structure, the System Manager and Board-led Health Service Providers (HSPs)
• the impact of the current governance structure on the culture of HSPs from the perspective of consumers and carers, staff and the community
• whether the System Manager’s role in planning and commissioning services and ensuring accountability is adequately enabled through existing mechanisms, such as mandatory policies, directions and Service Agreements
• whether the System Manager and the HSPs are fulfilling their respective roles as originally envisaged, including whether the System Manager is exercising available authority under the existing structure and the HSPs are responding accordingly
• the system’s ability to manage, plan and implement key health reforms and workforce requirements
• the system’s ability to respond to emergency situations
• any other related matters.

Over 30 detailed submissions were received in response to the public consultation. Of these, 17 contributors permitted their submission to be published with 4 electing for their submission to be published anonymously and 13 electing for the submissions to be published with their name and organisation.