Governance
Being responsive and making good, transparent decisions are key principles of Alfred Health’s governance process.
Alfred Health’s Board is accountable to the Minister for Health. Its role is to exercise good governance in achieving the objectives as outlined in Alfred Health’s Strategic Plan 2016–20 and the annual Statement of Priorities.
The Board comprises nine independent non-executive directors who are elected for a period of up to three years and can be re-elected to serve for up to nine years.
Objectives, functions, power and duties
The core objective of the service is to provide public health services in accordance with the principles established as guidelines for the delivery of public hospital services in Victoria under section 17AA of the Health Services Act 1988 (Vic) (‘the Act’).
The other objectives of the service as a public health service are to:
- provide high-quality health services to the community, which aim to meet community needs effectively and efficiently
- integrate care as needed across service boundaries in order to achieve continuity of care and promote the most appropriate level of care to meet individual needs
- ensure that health services are aimed at improvements in individual health outcomes and population health status by allocating resources according to best-practice healthcare approaches
- ensure that the service strives to continuously improve quality and foster innovation
- support a broad range of high-quality health research to contribute to new knowledge and to take advantage of knowledge gained elsewhere
- operate in a business-like manner, which maximises efficiency, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and ensures the service’s financial viability
- ensure that mechanisms are available to inform consumers and protect their rights and to facilitate consultation with the community
- operate a public health service as authorised by or under the Act
- carry out any other activities that may be conveniently carried out in connection with the operation of a public health service or calculated to make more efficient any of the service’s assets or activities
The powers and duties of Alfred Health are as prescribed by the Act.
Risk management
The incident reporting system, RiskMan, is an integral component of Alfred Health’s risk management system.
Alfred Health provides regular training and information for staff on the use of RiskMan. Staff routinely analyse incidents and report trends to the Executive Committee, the Quality Committee and the Audit Committee. Should serious incidents arise, staff will conduct a formal review.
Grand Rounds and other forums are used to provide feedback to staff on the outcomes of the review and any system changes implemented. There are several high and extreme risk issues that specific committees address. These include falls prevention, pressure injuries, medication safety and behaviours of concern. This ensures focus and coordination of effort on the important issues for Alfred Health.
Our publications
More information about governance can be found in the current Annual Report.
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