Overview: about the agency (DHW 2023-24 Annual Report)
Our strategic focus
Our Purpose
The Department for Health and Wellbeing 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 Department for Health and Wellbeing, through the Chief Executive, is responsible to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. The Department for Health and Wellbeing 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 support 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
Department for Health and Wellbeing 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. Department for Health and Wellbeing is the health system leader, in the context of the department’s relationship with the Local Health Networks, SA Ambulance Service and other portfolio entities. Department for Health and Wellbeing’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
- Inter-governmental 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 South Australia
- 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 inter-agency stakeholder networks
- Foster a leadership culture that supports accountability, transparency, collaboration and encourages innovation.
Our organisational structure
Organisational Chart 2023/24 (PDF 85KB)
Changes to the agency
During 2023-24 there were the following changes to the agency’s structure and objectives as a result of internal reviews and machinery of government changes:
- Corporate Services changed to Corporate and Infrastructure.
- Health Protection and Licensing changed to Health Protection and Regulation.
- Health Protection Licensing Services changed to Public Health Planning and Response.
- Health Regulation and Protection changed to Public Health.
- Risk and Assurance and Corporate Affairs combined to become Governance Advisory Services.
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 use and suicide prevention.
Our Executive team (as at 30 June 2023)
- Dr Robyn Lawrence PSM – Chief Executive
- Julienne TePohe – Deputy Chief Executive, Commissioning and Performance
- Judith Formston – Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate and Infrastructure
- Kerrie Mahon – Deputy Chief Executive, Clinical System Support and Improvement
- Sinead O’Brien – Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy and Governance
- Prof Nicola Spurrier PSM – Chief Public Health Officer
- Dr John Brayley – Chief Psychiatrist
- Bret Morris – Chief Digital Health Officer
- Rob Elliott ASM – Chief Executive Officer, SA Ambulance Service
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 (transitioned to Minister for Human Services from 1 July 2024)
- Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 1988
- Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022
- 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
- New Women’s and Children’s Hospital Act 2022
- 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
- Suicide Prevention Act 2021
- Termination of Pregnancy Act 2021
- Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997
- Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1983
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021
Pertinent updates to legislation during 2023-24 include:
- The Advance Care Directives Act 2013 was amended and commenced on 1 March 2024 to fulfill the Government’s acceptance of recommendations made in the 2019 Review Report by Professor Wendy Lacey. The amendments include strengthening requirements for interpreters; additional provisions for Substitute Decision-Makers; recognition of digital copies of Advance Care Directives; and clarification for health practitioners relating to binding refusals of health care if suicide is suspected.
- During 2023 – 2024, the Office for Ageing Well worked with Parliamentary Counsel to draft amendments to the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995. A draft Amendment Bill has been prepared and will be released for public consultation in mid-2024. The Bill will give effect to recommendations of an independent statutory review of the Act that require legislative change.
- The Assisted Reproductive Treatment (Posthumous Use of Material and Donor Conception Register) Amendment Act 2024 was assented to on 28 February 2024 and will amend the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 1988 to enable the launch of the donor conception register to allow donors, donor recipient parents, and donor-conceived persons to access and share information. Amendments will also be made to bring equality of opportunity for access to the posthumous use of human reproductive material for assisted reproductive material, extending these benefits to surviving partners, irrespective of their sex.
- The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) Act 2010 was amended twice over the 2023-24 financial year:
- In September 2023, amendments were enacted to bring into effect in SA national reforms to protect the title ‘surgeon’ within the medical profession to safeguard the public and strengthen the regulation of cosmetic surgery in Australia. Other amendments were also made at this time to clarify the decision-making authority of tribunals after hearing a matter about a registered health practitioner.
- In June 2024, amendments were enacted to bring into effect in SA the remaining provisions of the Tranche 2 reforms to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, which as a whole aim to strengthen public protection and increase public confidence in health services provided by practitioners registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. The amendments also implement reforms to improve governance and promote the efficient and effective operation of the National Scheme, while ensuring the scheme remains up to date and fit for purpose.
- On 21 February 2024, the Minister for Health and Wellbeing introduced the Retirement Villages (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2024 (Bill No. 111) into Parliament. The Bill gives effect to the Department’s response to recommendations of the independent statutory review of the Act conducted by PEG consulting and introduces additional reforms aimed at enhancing consumer protection. The Bill was read a second time and adjourned on second reading. It is anticipated that debate on the Bill will resume in August 2024.
- On 31 August 2023, the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products (Tobacco Product Prohibitions) Amendment Act 2023 created offences under the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997 in relation to the sale, supply, and possession (for the purpose of sale) of illicit tobacco products in South Australia. These laws prohibit the:
- supply or sale of tobacco products in South Australia that do not meet the prescribed plain packaging and health warning requirements under Commonwealth legislation, which includes the requirements of the Commonwealth's Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011.
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
- Preventive Health SA (Formally Wellbeing SA)
- Women’s and Children’s Health Network
- Veterans’ Health Advisory Council
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board
- Yorke and Northern Local Health Network