❓ Question regarding the Minister's responsibility for failings at the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) following a show-cause notice issued to the board. The Minister defends the board and outlines governance structures.
AnsweredQoN 58Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH SERVICE BOARD
58. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the report in today's The West Australian that the minister has issued a show-cause notice for
the board of the Child and Adolescent Health
Service. Given the hospital budget, policy and the employment of the CEO are all decisions of the department that the Minister for Health runs, what
responsibility will the minister take for the failings at CAHS or will this
board be the scapegoat as it was for the last failed Minister for Health?
58. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the report in today's The West Australian that the minister has issued a show-cause notice for
the board of the Child and Adolescent Health
Service. Given the hospital budget, policy and the employment of the CEO are all decisions of the department that the Minister for Health runs, what
responsibility will the minister take for the failings at CAHS or will this
board be the scapegoat as it was for the last failed Minister for Health?
AnswerView source ↗
That is another outstanding show of
ignorance from the member for Vasse on how the health system works. Under the
legislation passed by the Liberal–National government, there is a clear
framework for the governance of health service providers. The director general
employs the chief executive. The Public Sector Management Act does not allow
for ministers to employ directly public servants. That is an important
separation. The role of the minister is to appoint the board and the board
chair. I am working closely, hand in hand, with the board chair, in whom I have enormous faith, to make sure that the board
provides the governance and leadership that is required in the organisation and fulfils its obligation. That is absolutely the minister taking
responsibility.
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Leader of
the Liberal Party!
Ms A. SANDERSON : What I will
not be doing is cheap political pointscoring on such an important issue. I will not be doing that. There have been a number
of reports over the last few days that have certainly been misrepresenting the attempts by the board and the hospital
to put in place the mechanisms and strategies required to improve outcomes for patients. All that has happened from members of the opposition is they have
attacked them for those efforts. They have attacked the hospital and attacked
the board for those efforts. They are the right efforts. They will drive the
organisation in the right direction. Sometimes the board and staff have to have
a hard conversation to steer the ship, and that is what they are doing. They
are steering the ship. My priority as minister is to ensure the appropriate
governance over that ship to ensure we have the right outcomes for patients and
their parents.
ignorance from the member for Vasse on how the health system works. Under the
legislation passed by the Liberal–National government, there is a clear
framework for the governance of health service providers. The director general
employs the chief executive. The Public Sector Management Act does not allow
for ministers to employ directly public servants. That is an important
separation. The role of the minister is to appoint the board and the board
chair. I am working closely, hand in hand, with the board chair, in whom I have enormous faith, to make sure that the board
provides the governance and leadership that is required in the organisation and fulfils its obligation. That is absolutely the minister taking
responsibility.
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Leader of
the Liberal Party!
Ms A. SANDERSON : What I will
not be doing is cheap political pointscoring on such an important issue. I will not be doing that. There have been a number
of reports over the last few days that have certainly been misrepresenting the attempts by the board and the hospital
to put in place the mechanisms and strategies required to improve outcomes for patients. All that has happened from members of the opposition is they have
attacked them for those efforts. They have attacked the hospital and attacked
the board for those efforts. They are the right efforts. They will drive the
organisation in the right direction. Sometimes the board and staff have to have
a hard conversation to steer the ship, and that is what they are doing. They
are steering the ship. My priority as minister is to ensure the appropriate
governance over that ship to ensure we have the right outcomes for patients and
their parents.
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