Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA Health) (GA2380)

The Department of Health and Ageing was established on 1 January 2012 to combine the functions of the previous Department of Health with the Office of Ageing (1).

The Departmental structure is broken down into the following divisions:

1) eHealth Systems - maintains and coordinates the careconnect.sa system, with an aim to connect health records at all public hospitals, health professionals, and health services.

2) Health Reform Division - oversees delivery of health infrastructure and other major projects. Units also deliver oversight, support, and policies for nurses, midwives, allied and scientific health professionals. This division also contains the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.

3) Health System Performance - oversees an integrated finance service across the portfolio, and is responsible for asset management, procurement and supply chain management, hospital revenue, human resources, insurance, worker's compensation, and records management functionality.

4) Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division - leads and coordinates the delivery of mental health services across SA Health, including policy direction. It oversees the operational management of metropolitan mental health services. The division ensures strategic directions for mental health implemented are consistent with the national Mental Health Strategy. The division includes Mental health Operations, the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, and Drug and Alcohol Services SA.

On 29/10/2015 (SAGG 20/10/2015, p. 4745) an independent South Australian Mental Health Commission was established responsible to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Dr Stephen Christley was appointed as interim Commissioner. The function of the Commission is to develop the State's Mental Health Plan and to undertake policy development to improve mental health service delivery.

5) Policy Governance and Executive Services division - provides leadership and strategic policy advice and analysis to the Chief Executive and Minister. Their remit includes the oversight of high-level policy advice to State and Commonwealth bodies, submissions to national inquiries, communications strategies, promotions, legal advice, and management of the Department's Freedom of Information process.

6) Public Health and Clinical Systems - the Public Health and Clinical Co-ordination Division is responsible for developing and implementing policy and programs in relation to health protection and promotion, and illness prevention for the South Australian population. In addition, it provides high level clinical advice to enhance departmental decision making.

7) state-wide Service Strategy Division - is integral in leading the future planning and implementation of South Australia's health reform agenda, which aims to re-orientate the health system to a 'population health' approach. The Division is also responsible for coordinating service planning on a statewide basis across the five Health Networks of South Australia, which include Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Country Health SA Health Network, and the Women's and Children's Health Network.

The Department also has two supporting offices separate to the divisional structure:

1) Risk Management and Internal Audit Office - responsible for the provision of internal audit functions to DHA and system wide risk management framework.

2) Office for the Ageing - responsible for policy advice, development, funding, and implementation of programs and services for older people in South Australia.

On 17 May 2018 the title of the Department for Health and Ageing was altered to the Department for Health and Wellbeing (2). This came about due to a change in government in March 2018. At the same time the multiple ministerial portfolios were amended with the department now reporting to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.

Sources:

(1) South Australian Government Gazette, 15 December, 2012, p.4999.

(2) Public Sector (Administrative Units - Alteration of Titles) Proclamation 2018. South Australian Government Gazette, 17 May 2018, p.1598.