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Ministry of Health (New South Wales)

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(Redirected from NSW Department of Health)

NSW Health
Department overview
Formed1914; 110 years ago (1914)[1]
Preceding agencies
  • Department of Public Health
  • Health Commission of NSW
  • New South Wales Department of Health
JurisdictionNew South Wales
Headquarters1 Reserve Road, St Leonards[2]
Employees100,000 (2011)[3]
Annual budgetA$17.3 billion (2011–2012)[4]
Ministers responsible
Department executive
Child agencies
Websitehttps://www.health.nsw.gov.au/

The New South Wales Ministry of Health, branded NSW Health, is a ministerial department of the New South Wales Government. NSW Health supports the executive and statutory roles of the Ministers for Health, Regional Health, Mental Health, and Medical Research. The Ministry also monitors the performance of the state-wide health organisations that collectively make up NSW Health.[5][6] It is primarily responsible for the public health system in New South Wales, particularly through public hospitals as well as associated agencies and statutory authorities, such as the NSW Ambulance service.

The provision of health services within the state is assigned to fifteen local health districts, who operate based on area, and two specialist networks, who operate based on other criteria.[7] Together, these public health organisations provide services in a wide range of settings, from major metropolitan hospitals to primary care posts in the remote outback, as well as specialist custodial health services or children and paediatric services.[8]

Leadership

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The Ministry is led by its Secretary.[8] Susan Pearce AM was appointed Secretary of NSW Health in March 2022.[9] The Secretary reports to the following Ministers, who are responsible for the administration of the laws:[6]

Divisions

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The Ministry is the executive department for the public health system within the state of NSW. The system consists of fifteen local health districts, which operate based on area, six statutory health corporations, including two specialty networks which operate based on patient criteria, and thirteen affiliated health organisations.[7][8]

Local Health Districts

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Local health districts are led by a board, members of which are appointed by the Ministers, and a chief executive, who is a member of the board appointed to the position with the consent of the Secretary.[8] Local health districts operate based on geographical region, typically consisting of multiple local government areas, and are responsible for all of the public hospitals and other public health services within their region.[7][8] They are responsible for the coordination and governance of these health services, the planning, investigation and assessment of local health needs, their workforce (despite not being permitted to employ staff in their own right),[8] and other operational and clinical aspects of public health.[7][8]

The areas which local health districts serve is defined by reference to local government areas, and for two districts an area not governed by a local government area. The 2016 local government amalgamations had a minor effect on the boundaries of the South Western Sydney and Sydney local health districts, due to the merger of the cities of Bankstown and Canterbury, however as the legislation defining the boundaries of the districts was not changed, these two districts continue to administer the areas which were formerly councils.

As of October 2024, the local health districts and their corresponding local government areas were:[7][8][10]

Specialty Networks

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The purpose of the specialty networks (also called 'statutory health corporations') is to provide services to target populations regardless of their area. These networks are as follows.[8]

State-wide Health Services

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Other Statutory Health Corporations

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  • Agency for Clinical Innovation
  • Bureau of Health Information
  • Clinical Excellence Commission
  • Health Education and Training Institute NSW (HETI)

Shared Services

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Health Professional Councils

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  • Chinese Medicine Council of New South Wales
  • Chiropractic Council of New South Wales
  • Dental Council of New South Wales
  • Medical Council of New South Wales
  • Medical Radiation Practice Council of New South Wales
  • Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales
  • Occupational Therapy Council of New South Wales
  • Optometry Council of New South Wales
  • Osteopathy Council of New South Wales
  • Pharmacy Council of New South Wales
  • Physiotherapy Council of New South Wales
  • Podiatry Council of New South Wales
  • Psychology Council of New South Wales

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Celebrating 100 years" (PDF). 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Reserve Road, St Leonards". Health Infrastructure NSW. Government of New South Wales. 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Jobs". Department of Health. Government of New South Wales. 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  4. ^ "RECORD $22 BILLION HEALTH BUDGET BOOSTS FRONTLINE CARE" (PDF) (Press release). NSW Budget 2016–17. Government of New South Wales. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2017 – via www.health.nsw.gov.au.
  5. ^ "Health, NSW Ministry of". www.service.nsw.gov.au. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  6. ^ a b Administrative Arrangements (Public Service agencies and Ministers) Order 2023 (NSW) sch 1 cl 1.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Local health districts". www.health.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Health Services Act 1997 (NSW).
  9. ^ Cabinet, Department of Premier and (22 February 2022). "Susan Pearce appointed to lead NSW Health | NSW Government".
  10. ^ "Map of local health districts - Local health districts". www.health.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  11. ^ Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 (NSW) pt 11 div 4.
  12. ^ Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987 (NSW) pt 4A div 1.
  13. ^ Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (NSW).
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