Overview

Western Health is incorporated as a metropolitan health service pursuant to the Health Services (Governance) Act 2000 (Vic) (the Act), which amended the Health Services Act 1988. Western Health operates under the authority of the Act and under its own by-laws.

wh_by-laws.pdf (55KB)

The Board is currently comprised of eight members, including the Chair. Board Charter.pdf (36KB) details the main functions and responsibilities of the Board.

The Statment of Priorities is the key accountable agreement between and the Minister for Health. This annual agreement ensures delivery of or substantial progress towards the key shared objectives of financial viability, improved access and quality of service provision. Read the Statement of Priorities here:
200708 SOP westernhealth.pdf (6116KB)

Further information is available from the Corporate Secretary on 8345 1881.


To assist it in carrying out its responsibilities, the Board has established several standing committees.

Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for ensuring that the financial and related reporting systems produce timely, accurate and relevant reports on the financial operations of the health service and that sufficient resources are allocated to identifying and managing organisational risk. The Committee meets at least quarterly, with special meetings held as required.

Cultural Diversity and Community Advisory Committee
The role of the Cultural Diversity and Community Advisory Committee is to advise the Board on the relevant structures and processes as well as key priority areas and issues to ensure effective consumer and community participation at all levels of service planning and delivery. It ialso advises the Board on matters involving access and equity for Western Health patients and their families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Committee meets at six-week intervals, with at least seven meetings per year.

Finance Committee
The role of the Finance Committee is to advise the Board on matters relating to financial strategies, and the financial performance, capital management and sustainability of Western Health. The Committee meets every month, except December.

Governance and Remuneration Committee
The role of the Governance and Remuneration Committee is to advise and make recommendations to the Board in relation to matters involving organisational governance and administration, and Executive and senior staff remuneration, performance and recruitment. The Committee meets at least four times per year.

Primary Care and Population Health Advisory Committee
The Primary Care and Population Health Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Board on heath issues affecting the population served by Western Health. The Committee meets at least four times a year.

Quality and Safety Committee
The Board Quality and Safety Committee is responsible for ensuring that quality monitoring activities are systematically performed at all levels of the organisation and that deviations from quality standards are acted upon in a timely and effective manner. The Committee is comprised of representatives from the Board, Executive and Community Advisory Committee, the Medical Director, senior clinicians and a professional expert in quality and safety. The Quality and Safety Committee meets five times a year.

Education, Research and Development Committee                                                                                                                                                                 The Education, Research and Development Commitee is to oversee the development of plans and strategies that enable staff education and training linked with workforce needs, and the integration and alignment of these needs with patient care. The Committee meets at least four times per year.