Health Services Act 1988

There shall be a board of directors of each public health service.

The functions of the board of a public health service are—

to develop statements of priorities and strategic plans for the operation of the public health service and to monitor compliance with those statements and plans;

to develop financial and business plans, strategies and budgets to ensure the accountable and efficient provision of health services by the public health service and the long term financial viability of the public health service;

to establish and maintain effective systems to ensure that the health services provided meet the needs of the communities served by the public health service and that the views of users and providers of health services are taken into account;

to monitor the performance of the public health service to ensure that—

the public health service operates within its budget;

its audit and accounting systems accurately reflect the financial position and viability of the public health service;

the public health service adheres to its financial and business plans, strategic plans and statements of priorities;

effective and accountable risk management systems are in place;

effective and accountable systems are in place to monitor and improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of health services provided by the public health service;

any problems identified with the quality, safety or effectiveness of the health services provided are addressed in a timely manner;

the public health service continuously strives to improve the quality and safety of the health services it provides and to foster innovation;

committees established or appointed under this Division operate effectively;

subject to the Secretary's approval, to appoint a chief executive officer and to determine the chief executive officer's remuneration and the terms and conditions of appointment;

during each financial year, to monitor the performance of the chief executive officer of the public health service (including at least one formal assessment in relation to that financial year), having regard to the objectives, priorities and key performance outcomes specified in the service's statement of priorities under section 65ZFA;

to establish the organisational structure, including the management structure, of the public health service;

to develop arrangements with other relevant agencies and service providers to enable effective and efficient service delivery and continuity of care;

to ensure that the Minister and the Secretary are advised about significant board decisions and are informed in a timely manner of any issues of public concern or risks that affect or may affect the public health service;

to establish a Finance Committee, an Audit Committee and a Quality and Safety Committee;

to facilitate health research and education;

to adopt a code of conduct for staff of the public health service;

to provide appropriate training for directors;

any other functions conferred on the board by or under this Act.

The board of a public health service has such powers as are necessary to enable it to carry out its functions, including the power, subject to section 24, to make, amend or revoke by-laws.

In performing its functions and exercising its powers, the board of a public health service must have regard to—

the needs and views of patients and other users of the health services that the public health service provides and the community that the public health service serves; and

the need to ensure that the public health service uses its resources in an effective and efficient manner; and

the need to ensure that resources of the Victorian public health sector generally are used effectively and efficiently.