Overview: about the agency (DHW 2021-22 Annual Report)
Our strategic focus
Our Purpose
The Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW) is responsible for providing system leadership and developing the vision, direction and long-term strategies that will sustain the South Australian public health system, now and in the future.
The DHW, through the Chief Executive, is responsible to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing (the Minister). The department provides expert health, public health and wellbeing advice, supporting the Minister and Chief Executive in exercising their powers and functions.
Our Vision
The Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2025 establishes a strong vision that South Australians
experience the best health and wellbeing in Australia.
To achieve this vision, a strategic focus on prevention, protection, innovation, and sustainability will be maintained across SA Health, with the primary objective to improve the health and wellbeing of all South Australians.
Five principle themes support SA Health’s achievement of the vision and strategic direction. The themes form the foundation for the deliverable actions identified in the SA Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2025 and informs the principle rationale for determining, planning, and developing new improvement activities, initiatives and projects:
Together – working in partnership to develop patient-centred solutions and service improvements
Trusted – providing safe, reliable, and high-quality treatment and care
Targeted – addressing priority health needs and disparities with the right evidence, motivation, and interventions
Tailored – meeting the diverse and complex needs of individuals
Timely – optimising health and wellness outcomes by delivering timely and appropriate health care.
Our Values
The South Australian Public Sector values articulate our commitment to each other, consumers and the community. These are Service, Professionalism, Trust, Respect, Collaboration and Engagement, Honesty and Integrity, Courage and Tenacity and Sustainability. Further, to supporting these values, SA Health upholds Care and Kindness values that underpin how we treat each other and our patients, and work together to provide services.
Our functions, objectives and deliverables
The DHW supports the delivery of public health services, formulates health and wellbeing policies and programs, facilitates public and consumer consultation on health issues, and monitors the performance of South Australia’s health system by providing timely advice, research, and administrative support.
The DHW is the health system leader, in the context of the department’s relationship with the Local Health Networks (LHNs), SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) and other portfolio entities. The DHW’s aim is to improve whole-of-system capability and performance through alignment, culture, partnership, connectivity, and collaboration.
Led by the Chief Executive, the department is responsible for:
Supporting and advising the Minister and government on strategic policies and directions
Coordinating Parliamentary and Cabinet briefing processes
Statutory reporting requirements
Intergovernmental relations
Participating in, and supporting the Minister to participate in, national reforms via national councils and committees
Regulatory and licencing functions.
As the system leader for the delivery of health services, the department will:
Develop the vision, direction and long-term planning strategy to sustain the health system
Provide strategic leadership, planning and direction for health care services in SA
Guide, inform and fulfil the planning and commissioning cycle including
Making recommendations for the allocation of funding from the health portfolio budget to health service providers
Enter into Service Agreements with health service providers outlining budget, activity and performance measures
Monitor performance and take remedial action when performance does not meet expected standards
Demonstrate strong financial management and accountability that prioritises investment in high value, evidence informed service responses and system sustainability at a local level
Arrange for the provision of health services by contracted health entities
Oversee, monitor and promote improvements in the
safety and quality of health services
Prioritise and set system-wide interventions including regulations, policy directives, guidelines, funding, performance and programs
Support, promote and lead the delivery of relevant system-wide strategies, policies, plans, and innovation
Build system-wide collaboration and interagency stakeholder networks
Foster a leadership culture that supports accountability, transparency, collaboration and encourages innovation.
During 2021-22 there were no changes to agency’s structure and objectives as a result of internal reviews or machinery of government changes.
Structures and functions were established/revised to support the department’s commitment to minimising the impact of COVID-19 on the South Australian community.
Our Minister
Hon Chris Picton MP is the Minister for Health and Wellbeing in South Australia.
The Minister oversees health, wellbeing, mental health, ageing well, substance abuse and suicide prevention.
Our Executive team (as at 30 June 2022)
Lynne Cowan is the Acting Chief Executive.
Professor Nicola Spurrier is the Chief Public Health Officer.
Dr John Brayley is the Chief Psychiatrist, responsible for functions relating to the administration of the Mental Health Act 2009 and the standard of mental health care in South Australia.
Don Frater is the Deputy Chief Executive, System Leadership and Design.
Helen Chalmers is the Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Commissioning and Performance.
Julienne TePohe is the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate and System Support Services.
Bret Morris is the Chief Digital Health Officer, responsible for the department’s information technology strategy.
Legislation administered by the agency
The department plays a role in administering all legislation committed to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing with some legislation administered in conjunction with other public sector agencies:
Advance
Care Directives Act 2013
Aged
Citizens Clubs (Subsidies) Act 1963
Ageing
and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995
Assisted
Reproductive Treatment Act 1988
Blood
Contaminants Act 1985
Consent
to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995
Controlled
Substances Act 1984
Food
Act 2001
Gene
Technology Act 2001
Health
and Community Services Complaints Act 2004
Health
Care Act 2008
Health
Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) Act 2010
Health
Professionals (Special Events Exemption) Act 2000
Health
Services Charitable Gifts Act 2011
Mental
Health Act 2009
National
Health Funding Pool Administration (South Australia) Act 2012
Prohibition
of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2003
Public
Intoxication Act 1984
Research
Involving Human Embryos Act 2003
Retirement
Villages Act 2016
Safe
Drinking Water Act 2011
South
Australian Public Health Act 2011
Termination
of Pregnancy Act 2021
Tobacco
and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997
Transplantation
and Anatomy Act 1983
Pertinent updates to legislation during 2021-22 include:
The Termination of Pregnancy Act 2021 and associated
Termination of Pregnancy
Regulations 2022 were gazetted 23 June 2022 and came into effect on 7 July 2022. This legislation recognises that abortion is a health issue - and not part of the criminal law. The Termination of Pregnancy Act 2021 will modernise termination of pregnancy law and practice and improve the efficiency of health service provision and access, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas.
The Health Practitioner Regulation
National Law (South Australia) (Telepharmacy) Amendment Act 2021 was passed in October 2021 and came into operation on 4 November 2021. The Act makes permanent and clarifies the legal provisions for the authorising of telepharmacy in South Australia
From the 24 May 2022 amendments to the Public
Health Act 2011 have been enacted that have enabled the Major Emergency Declaration to be lifted while ensuring important public health measures are retained. Under the amendments to the Public Health Act
2011 existing requirements will continue to apply. These requirements are essential to protect the South Australian community and ensure the health system’s resources can manage COVID-19 cases.
Other related agencies (within the Minister’s area/s of responsibility)
The public sector agencies listed below are responsible for reporting information about their activities and operations in their own annual report submitted to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing:
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
Central Adelaide Local Health Network
Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health
Controlled Substances Advisory Council
Country Health Gift Fund Health Advisory Council Inc.
Regional Health Advisory Councils (39 across South Australia)
Eyre and Far North Local Health Network
Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network
Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner
Health Performance Council
Health Services Charitable Gifts Board
Limestone Coast Local Health Network
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
Pharmacy Regulation Authority of South Australia
Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network
SA Ambulance Service
SA Ambulance Service Volunteers’ Health Advisory Council
SA Medical Education and Training Health Advisory Council
South Australian Public Health Council
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
Wellbeing SA
Women’s and Children’s Health Network
Veterans’ Health Advisory Council
Yorke and Northern Local Health Network
Related information
You can search through to find related information.
Annual Report 2021-22 - Department for Health and Wellbeing
Annual Report 2021-22 for the Department for Health and Wellbeing.
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