Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011

An Act to provide for the delivery of public sector health services and other health services in Queensland

Long title amd 2011 No. 32 s 332 sch 1 pt 1

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.

s 1 amd 2012 No. 9 s 4

2Commencement

This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3Act binds all persons

This Act binds all persons, including the State and, so far as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and all the other States.

4Principles and objectives of national health system

This Act recognises and gives effect to the principles and objectives of the national health system agreed by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, namely—

(a)the following Medicare principles—

(i)eligible persons are to be given the choice to receive, free of charge as public patients, health and emergency services of a kind or kinds that are currently, or were historically, provided by hospitals;

(ii)access to these services by public patients free of charge is to be on the basis of clinical need and within a clinically appropriate period;

(iii)arrangements are to be in place to ensure equitable access to the services for all eligible persons, regardless of their geographic location; and

(b)the health system principles—Australia’s health system should—

(i)be shaped around the health needs of individual patients, their families and communities; and

(ii)focus on the prevention of disease and injury and the maintenance of health and not simply on the treatment of illness; and

(iii)support an integrated approach to the promotion of healthy lifestyles, prevention of illness and injury, and diagnosis and treatment of illness across the continuum of care; and

(iv)provide all Australians with timely access to quality health services based on their needs, not ability to pay, regardless of where they live in the country; and

(c)the following long-term objectives for Australia’s health system—

(i)prevention—Australians are born and remain healthy;

(ii)primary and community health—Australians receive appropriate high quality and affordable primary and community health services;

(iii)hospital and related care—Australians receive appropriate high quality and affordable hospital and hospital-related care;

(iv)aged care—older Australians receive appropriate high quality and affordable health and aged care services;

(v)patient experience—Australians have positive health and aged care experiences which take account of individual circumstances and care needs;

(vi)social inclusion and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health—Australia’s health system promotes social inclusion and reduces disadvantage, especially for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people;

(vii)sustainability—Australians have a sustainable health system.

s 4 amd 2020 No. 31 s 6

5Object

(1)The object of this Act is to establish a public sector health system that delivers high quality hospital and other health services to persons in Queensland having regard to the principles and objectives of the national health system.

(2)The object is mainly achieved by—

(a)strengthening local decision-making and accountability, local consumer and community engagement, and local clinician engagement; and

(b)providing for Statewide health system management including health system planning, coordination and standard setting; and

(c)balancing the benefits of the local and system-wide approaches.

6Purpose of div 3

This division gives an overview of this Act.

7Role of Hospital and Health Services

(1)Hospital and Health Services are statutory bodies and are the principal providers of public sector health services.

(2)Each Hospital and Health Service is independently and locally controlled by a Hospital and Health Board.

(3)Each Hospital and Health Board appoints a health service chief executive.

(4)Each Hospital and Health Board exercises significant responsibilities at a local level, including controlling—

(a)the financial management of the Service; and

(b)the management of the Service’s land and buildings; and

(c)for a prescribed Service, the management of the Service’s staff.

(5)This Act requires each Hospital and Health Service to have regard to particular matters in performing its functions.

s 7 sub 2012 No. 9 s 5

amd 2020 No. 31 s 7; 2023 No. 9 s 4

8Management of the public sector health system

(1)The public sector health system is comprised of the Hospital and Health Services and the department.

(2)The overall management of the public sector health system is the responsibility of the department, through the chief executive (the system manager role).

(3)In performing the system manager role, the chief executive is responsible for the following—

(a)Statewide planning;

(b)managing Statewide industrial relations;

(c)managing major capital works;

(d)monitoring Service performance;

(e)issuing binding health service directives to Services.

(4)The way in which the chief executive’s responsibilities are exercised establishes the relationship between the chief executive and the Services.

(5)The relationship between the chief executive and the Services is also governed by the service agreement between the chief executive and each Service.

s 8 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 6, 54 sch

8AFunding of public sector health system

(1)The public sector health system is funded by the State and the Commonwealth.

(2)The State pool account and State managed fund enhance the accountability and transparency of the funding of the public sector health system.

(3)The administrator of the National Health Funding Pool publicly reports on funds paid into, and out of, the State pool account and the State managed fund.

s 8A ins 2012 No. 9 s 7

9Management of health system performance

(1)Hospital and Health Services are individually accountable for their performance.

(2)Services are required to report on their performance to the chief executive.

(3)The chief executive is responsible for—

(a)collating and validating the data provided by Services; and

(b)providing the data to the Commonwealth and relevant Commonwealth entities.

(4)Health service auditors may be appointed to examine the performance of Services and the department.

s 9 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

10Statewide employment and industrial relations arrangements

(1)This Act provides for Statewide employment and industrial relations arrangements in the public sector health system.

(2)Health service employees employed by Services and the department are employed on the same terms and conditions.

(3)The chief executive is authorised under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 to negotiate certified agreements for health service employees and for other health system industrial relations matters.

(4)Under this Act, the chief executive may issue health employment directives to support employment and industrial relations arrangements in the public sector health system.

s 10 amd 2012 No. 9 s 8; 2013 No. 61 s 82; 2016 No. 63 s 1157 sch 6

11Protections for safety and quality

(1)This Act provides safeguards and protection for—

(a)members of quality assurance committees and Root Cause Analysis teams; and

(b)information obtained and reports prepared by the committees or teams.

(2)Clinical reviewers may be appointed to conduct clinical reviews and to provide expert clinical advice.

12Confidentiality safeguards

This Act provides safeguards to protect the confidentiality of information that identifies persons who have received public sector health services.

13Guiding principles

(1)The following principles are intended to guide the achievement of this Act’s object—

(a)the best interests of users of public sector health services should be the main consideration in all decisions and actions under this Act;

(b)there is a commitment to ensuring quality and safety in the delivery of public sector health services;

(c)there is a commitment to achieving health equity for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people;

(d)there is a commitment to the delivery of responsive, capable and culturally competent health care to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people;

(e)providers of public sector health services should work with providers of private sector health services to achieve coordinated, integrated health service delivery across both sectors;

(f)there should be responsiveness to the needs of users of public sector health services about the delivery of public sector health services;

(g)information about the delivery of public sector health services should be provided to the community in an open and transparent way;

(h)there is a commitment to ensuring that places at which public sector health services are delivered are places at which—

(i)employees are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination; and

(ii)employees are respected and diversity is embraced; and

(iii)there is a positive workplace culture based on mutual trust and respect;

(i)there should be openness to complaints from users of public sector health services and a focus on dealing with the complaints quickly and transparently;

(j)there should be engagement with clinicians, consumers, community members and local primary healthcare organisations in planning, developing and delivering public sector health services;

(k)opportunities for research and development relevant to the delivery of public sector health services should be promoted;

(l)opportunities for training and education relevant to the delivery of public sector health services should be promoted.

(2)A person must have regard to the guiding principles when performing a function or exercising a power under this Act.

s 13 amd 2020 No. 31 s 8

14Definitions

The dictionary in schedule 2 defines particular words used in this Act.

s 14 amd 2011 No. 32 s 332 sch 1 pt 1

15Meaning of health service

(1)A health service is a service for maintaining, improving, restoring or managing people’s health and wellbeing.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a health service includes—

(a)a service mentioned in subsection (1) that is provided to a person at a hospital, residential care facility, community health facility or other place; and

(b)a service dealing with public health, including a program or activity for—

(i)the prevention and control of disease or sickness; or

(ii)the prevention of injury; or

(iii)the protection and promotion of health.

Example of health service mentioned in paragraph (b)—

a cancer screening program

(3)In addition, a health service includes a support service for a service mentioned in subsection (1).

16Meaning of service agreement

(1)A service agreement, for a Service, means an agreement between the chief executive and the Service that states—

(a)the hospital services, other health services, teaching, research and other services to be provided by the Service; and

(b)the funding to be provided to the Service for the provision of services, including the way in which the funding is to be provided; and

Example of a way of funding a health service—

activity-based funding

(c)the performance measures for the provision of services by the Service; and

(d)the performance data and other data to be provided by a Service to the chief executive, including how, and how often, the data is to be provided; and

(e)any other matter the chief executive considers relevant to the provision of services by the Service.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a service agreement may—

(a)deal with the matters stated in subsection (1) relating to funding provided by the Commonwealth, without the Commonwealth being a party to the agreement; and

(b)state the circumstances in which a Service (the first Service) may agree with another Service to deliver services for the first Service.

s 16 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 2 hdg sub 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 2 div 1 hdg amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

17Establishment of Services

A regulation may—

(a)declare any 1 or more of the following to be a health service area for a Hospital and Health Service—

(i)a part of the State;

(ii)a public sector hospital;

(iii)a public sector health service facility;

(iv)a public sector health service; and

(b)establish a Hospital and Health Service (a Service) for the health service area; and

(c)assign a name to the Service.

s 17 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

18Legal status

(1)A Service—

(a)is a body corporate; and

(b)has a seal; and

(c)may sue and be sued in its corporate name.

(2)A Service represents the State.

(3)Without limiting subsection (2), a Service has all the privileges and immunities of the State.

s 18 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

19Functions of Services

(1)A Service’s main function is to deliver the hospital services, other health services, teaching, research and other services stated in the service agreement for the Service.

(2)A Service also has the following functions—

(a)to ensure the operations of the Service are carried out efficiently, effectively and economically;

(b)to enter into a service agreement with the chief executive;

(c)to comply with the health service directives and health employment directives that apply to the Service;

(d)to contribute to, and implement, Statewide service plans that apply to the Service and undertake further service planning that aligns with the Statewide plans;

(e)to monitor and improve the quality of health services delivered by the Service, including, for example, by implementing national clinical standards for the Service;

(f)to develop local clinical governance arrangements for the Service;

(g)to undertake minor capital works, and major capital works approved by the chief executive, in the health service area;

(h)to maintain land, buildings and other assets owned by the Service;

(i)for a prescribed Service, to employ staff under this Act;

(j)to collaborate with the Queensland Ambulance Service to manage the interaction between the services provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service and health services provided by the Hospital and Health Service;

(k)to cooperate with other providers of health services, including other Services, the department and providers of primary healthcare, in planning for, and delivering, health services;

(l)to cooperate with local primary healthcare organisations;

(m)to arrange for the provision of health services to public patients in private health facilities;

(n)to manage the performance of the Service against the performance measures stated in the service agreement;

(o)to provide performance data and other data to the chief executive;

(p)to consult with health professionals working in the Service, health consumers and members of the community about the provision of health services;

(q)other functions approved by the Minister;

(r)other functions necessary or incidental to the above functions.

(3)In performing its functions, a Service must have regard to—

(a)the need to ensure resources of the public sector health system are used effectively and efficiently; and

(b)the best interests of patients and other users of public sector health services throughout the State; and

(c)the need to promote a culture and implement measures to support the health, safety and wellbeing of staff of public sector health service facilities.

s 19 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 9, 54 sch; 2013 No. 61 s 83; 2020 No. 31 s 9; 2023 No. 9 s 5

20Powers of Services

(1)A Service has the powers of an individual and may, for example—

(a)enter into contracts and agreements; and

(b)subject to subsection (2), acquire, hold, deal with or dispose of property; and

(c)engage consultants or contractors; and

(d)appoint agents and attorneys; and

(e)charge for the services it provides; and

(f)do anything else necessary or convenient to be done in performing its functions.

(2)A Service may not own assets prescribed by regulation.

(3)A Service may employ health executives and senior health service employees.

(4)A Service prescribed by regulation may also employ other health service employees under this Act.

(5)A regulation under subsection (4) may also restrict, limit or impose conditions on the power to employ health service employees.

(6)To remove any doubt, it is declared that a regulation made under subsection (4) may be amended or repealed to revoke the prescription of a Service under that subsection.

Note—

See also section 282(7) and (8).

s 20 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 10, 54 sch; 2013 No. 61 s 84; 2015 No. 7 s 35B; 2019 No. 38 s 68A

20ALimitation on Service’s dealing with land or buildings

(1)A Service must not buy or sell land or buildings without the prior written approval of the Minister and the Treasurer.

(2)A Service must not, without the prior written approval of the Minister and the Treasurer, grant or take a lease of land or buildings unless the lease is a type prescribed by regulation.

s 20A ins 2012 No. 9 s 11

21Application of other Acts

(1)A Service is—

(a)a statutory body under the Financial Accountability Act 2009; and

(b)a statutory body under the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982; and

(c)a unit of public administration under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.

(2)The Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982, part 2B sets out the way in which a Service’s powers under this Act are affected by that Act.

s 21 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

pt 2 div 2 hdg amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 2 div 2 sdiv 1 hdg amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

22Role of exercising control over Service

(1)A Hospital and Health Board controls the Service for which it is established.

(2)In controlling the Service for which it is established, a board must have regard to—

(a)the need to ensure resources of the public sector health system are used effectively and efficiently; and

(b)the best interests of patients and other users of public sector health services throughout the State; and

(c)the need to promote a culture and implement measures to support the health, safety and wellbeing of staff of public sector health service facilities.

s 22 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2020 No. 31 s 10; 2023 No. 9 s 6

23Membership of boards

(1)A board consists of 5 or more members appointed by the Governor in Council, by gazette notice, on the recommendation of the Minister.

(2)The Minister is to recommend persons the Minister considers have the skills, knowledge and experience required for a Service to perform its functions effectively and efficiently, including—

(a)persons with expertise in health management, business management, financial management and human resource management; and

(b)persons with clinical expertise; and

(c)persons with legal expertise; and

(d)persons with skills, knowledge and experience in primary healthcare; and

(e)persons with knowledge of health consumer and community issues relevant to the operations of the Service; and

(f)persons with skills, knowledge and experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and community issues relevant to the operation of the Service; and

(g)where relevant, persons from universities, clinical schools or research centres with expertise relevant to the operations of the Service; and

(h)persons with other areas of expertise the Minister considers relevant to a Service performing its functions.

(3)One or more of the members of a board must be clinicians.

(4)One or more of the members of a board must be Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islander persons.

(5)In this section—

clinician means a person who—

(a)is a health professional registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, other than as a student; and

(b)is currently directly or indirectly providing care or treatment to persons; and

(c)is in a profession that provides care or treatment to persons in public sector health services.

s 23 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 12, 54 sch; 2020 No. 31 s 11

24Minister to advertise for members of boards

(1)Before recommending persons for membership of a board, the Minister must—

(a)advertise for expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons interested in being members of a board; and

(b)consider the expressions of interest received.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to a vacancy that arises in the membership of a board under section 27.

(3)In this section—

suitably qualified means having the skills, knowledge and experience mentioned in section 23.

s 24 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

24ATemporary members of board

(1)This section applies if the Minister reasonably believes it is necessary to urgently appoint a person as a member of a board because—

(a)the board does not consist of at least 5 members; or

(b)the Minister considers the members of the board do not have the skills, knowledge or experience to perform the board’s functions effectively and efficiently; or

(c)none of the members of the board are clinicians; or

(d)none of the members of the board are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islander persons.

(2)Despite section 23(1), the Minister may—

(a)appoint a person as a member of the board for a period of not more than 6 months; and

(b)reappoint the person as a member of the board once for a period of not more than 6 months.

(3)Subsection (2) applies despite the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, section 25(1)(c).

(4)The Minister may appoint a person as a member of the board only if the Minister considers the person has the skills, knowledge and experience mentioned in section 23(2).

(5)As soon as practicable after making the appointment, the Minister must publish notice of the appointment in the gazette.

(6)In this section—

clinician see section 23(5).

s 24A ins 2016 No. 8 s 18

amd 2020 No. 31 s 12

25Chair and deputy chair

(1)The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, appoint—

(a)a member of a board to be chair of the board; and

(b)another member to be deputy chair of the board.

(2)A member may be appointed as the chair or deputy chair at the same time as the person is appointed as a member and by the same gazette notice.

(3)Subject to this subdivision, the chair or deputy chair holds office for the term, ending not later than his or her term of appointment as a member, stated in his or her appointment as chair or deputy chair.

(4)A vacancy arises in the office of chair or deputy chair if the person holding the office—

(a)resigns office by signed notice of resignation given to the Minister; or

(b)ceases to be a member.

(5)A person resigning the office of chair or deputy chair may continue to be a member.

(6)The deputy chair is to act as chair—

(a)during a vacancy in the office of the chair; and

(b)during all periods when the chair is absent from duty or for another reason can not perform the duties of the office.

s 25 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

26Conditions of appointment

(1)A member of a board holds office for the term, of not more than 4 years, stated in the member’s instrument of appointment.

Note—

See also section 24A(2) for a member of a board appointed under that section.

(2)A member is entitled to the fees and allowances fixed by the Governor in Council, and otherwise holds office under the conditions of appointment fixed by—

(a)for a member appointed under section 23—the Governor in Council; or

(b)for a member appointed under section 24A—the Minister.

s 26 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2016 No. 8 s 19

27Vacation of office of board member

The office of a member of a board becomes vacant if the member—

(a)resigns office by signed notice of resignation given to the Minister; or

(b)is removed from office as a member under section 28.

s 27 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

27ASuspension from office of Hospital and Health Board members

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a matter has arisen in relation to a member of a board; and

(b)the matter—

(i)is one which is, or may be, grounds for removing a member from office under section 28; or

(ii)is alleged misconduct by the member; and

(c)the Minister considers that it is necessary in the public interest for the member to be suspended from office pending further consideration of the matter.

(2)The Minister may suspend the member from office for a period not exceeding 60 days by notice in writing to the member.

(3)If the Minister considers it is necessary in the circumstances, the Minister may extend the suspension from time to time by periods not exceeding 60 days, by notice in writing to the member.

(4)The Minister must advise the member by notice in writing if the Minister ends the member’s suspension.

s 27A ins 2012 No. 9 s 13

28Removal from office of board members

The Governor in Council may remove a member from office if—

(a)the member is or becomes an insolvent under administration; or

(b)the member is disqualified from managing corporations under the Corporations Act, part 2D.6; or

(c)the member has been, or is, convicted of an indictable offence; or

(d)the member has been, or is, convicted of an offence against this Act; or

(e)the Minister recommends the removal because the Minister is satisfied the member—

(i)has been guilty of misconduct; or

(ii)is incapable of performing the member’s duties; or

(iii)has neglected the member’s duties or performed the member’s duties incompetently; or

(iv)has been absent without permission of the board from 3 consecutive meetings of which due notice was given.

s 28 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 14, 54 sch; 2023 No. 23 s 247 sch 1 s 2 (2)

29Defects in appointment of members

A decision of a board is not invalidated by—

(a)a defect or irregularity in the appointment of a member of a board, including in the appointment of the chair or deputy chair; or

(b)a vacancy in the membership of a board.

s 29 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 2 div 2 sdiv 3 hdg sub 2012 No. 9 s 15

30Delegation by boards

(1)The board for a Hospital and Health Service may delegate any of the Service’s functions under this Act or the Financial Accountability Act 2009—

(a)to a committee of the board if all of the members of the committee are board members; or

(b)to the executive committee established by the board; or

(c)to the health service chief executive.

(2)The health service chief executive, with the written approval of the board, may subdelegate a function mentioned in subsection (1) to an appropriately qualified—

(a)employee of the Hospital and Health Service; or

(b)health service employee employed in the department and working for the Service.

(3)In this section—

appropriately qualified includes having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to the exercise of the power.

Example of standing—

the person’s classification level or how senior the person is in the Hospital and Health Service

s 30 sub 2012 No. 9 s 15

31Members to act in public interest

A member of a board is to act impartially and in the public interest in performing the member’s duties.

s 31 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

32Conduct of business by boards

A board is to conduct its business in the way stated in schedule 1.

s 32 amd 2011 No. 32 s 332 sch 1 pt 1; 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 2 div 2A hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 16

32AHospital and Health Board must establish executive committee for Hospital and Health Service

A board must establish, as a committee of the board, an executive committee for the Service controlled by the board.

s 32A ins 2012 No. 9 s 16

32BFunction of executive committee

(1)The function of the executive committee is to support the board in its role of controlling the Service for which it is established by—

(a)working with the health service chief executive to progress strategic issues identified by the board; and

(b)strengthening the relationship between the board and the health service chief executive to ensure accountability in the delivery of services by the Service.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), an executive committee may, at the direction of the board—

(a)oversee the performance of the Service against the performance measures stated in the service agreement; and

(b)support the board in the development of engagement strategies and protocols with primary healthcare organisations, monitor their implementation, and address issues that arise in their implementation; and

(c)support the board in the development of service plans and other plans for the Service and monitor their implementation; and

(d)work with the health service chief executive in responding to critical emergent issues in the Service; and

(e)perform other functions given to the executive committee by the board.

(3)A regulation may prescribe other matters relating to an executive committee’s functions.

s 32B ins 2012 No. 9 s 16

32CMembership of executive committee

(1)An executive committee consists of the following—

(a)the chair or deputy chair of the board who is to be chair of the committee;

(b)at least 2 other board members, decided by the board, at least one of whom is a clinician.

(2)In this section—

clinician means a person who—

(a)is a health professional registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, other than as a student; and

(b)is currently directly or indirectly providing care or treatment to persons; and

(c)is in a profession that provides care or treatment to persons in public sector health services.

s 32C ins 2012 No. 9 s 16

32DConduct of business by executive committee

(1)The health service chief executive of a Service is to attend all meetings of the Service’s executive committee, unless excused by the chair of the committee.

(2)A quorum for a meeting of an executive committee is one-half of the number of its members, or if one-half is not a whole number, the next highest whole number.

(3)An executive committee must keep a record of the decisions it makes when exercising a power delegated to it by the board that established the committee.

(4)An executive committee is to otherwise conduct its business, including its meetings, in the way the board that established the committee considers appropriate.

s 32D ins 2012 No. 9 s 16

pt 2 div 3 hdg sub 2012 No. 9 s 17

33Appointment of health service chief executives

(1)A Hospital and Health Service’s board must appoint a health service chief executive to manage the Service.

(2)The appointment is not effective until it is approved by the Minister.

(3)The person appointed as health service chief executive must also be appointed as a health executive.

(4)In managing the Service, the health service chief executive is subject to direction by the Service’s board.

s 33 sub 2012 No. 9 s 17

34Delegation by health service chief executive

(1)A health service chief executive may delegate the health service chief executive’s functions under this Act or another Act to an appropriately qualified—

(a)employee of the Hospital and Health Service; or

(b)health service employee employed in the department and working for the Service.

(2)However, the health service chief executive must not delegate the authorisation to disclose confidential information in the public interest under section 160.

(3)In this section—

appropriately qualified includes having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to the exercise of the power.

Example of standing—

the person’s classification level or how senior the person is in the Service

s 34 sub 2012 No. 9 s 17

amd 2018 No. 5 s 157

35Chief executive and Service must enter into service agreements

(1)The chief executive and a Service must enter into a service agreement for the Service.

(2)The chair of the Service’s board must sign the agreement on behalf of the Service.

(3)A service agreement is binding on the chief executive and the Service.

s 35 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

36Term of service agreement

A service agreement must be for a term of not longer than 3 years.

37Negotiations for service agreement

(1)For the first service agreement, the chief executive and the Service must enter into negotiations immediately after the commencement of this section.

(2)For a new service agreement, the chief executive and the Service must enter into negotiations at least 6 months before the expiry of the existing service agreement.

s 37 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

38Minister may decide on terms of service agreement

(1)This section applies if the chief executive and the Service can not agree on some or all of the terms of a service agreement—

(a)for the first agreement after the commencement of this section—by a date prescribed by regulation; or

(b)for a service agreement that is to replace an existing service agreement on its expiry—at least 1 month before the expiry of the existing agreement.

(2)The chief executive and the Service are to immediately advise the Minister—

(a)that they can not agree; and

(b)of the terms of the agreement on which they can not agree.

(3)The Minister must decide the terms and advise the chief executive and the Service of the terms.

(4)The chief executive and the Service must include the terms decided by the Minister in the agreement.

s 38 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

39Procedure to amend service agreement

(1)If the chief executive or the Service wants to amend the terms of a service agreement, the party that wants to amend the agreement must give written notice of the proposed amendment to the other party.

(2)If the chief executive and the Service can not agree on the terms of the amendment, the party wanting the amendment must immediately advise the Minister—

(a)that they can not agree; and

(b)of the terms on which they can not agree.

(3)The Minister must decide the terms and advise the chief executive and the Service of the terms.

(4)For subsection (3), the Minister may decide that the amendment should not be made.

(5)The chief executive and the Service must include any terms decided by the Minister in the agreement.

s 39 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

39AChief executive to make service agreements available

(1)This section applies to a service agreement between the chief executive and a Service, including an amendment of the agreement.

(2)The chief executive must, within 28 days of entering into the service agreement or amendment—

(a)give the administrator of the National Health Funding Pool a copy of the service agreement or amendment; and

(b)publish the service agreement or amendment in a way that allows the agreement to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

s 39A ins 2012 No. 9 s 18

40Engagement strategies

(1)A Service must develop and publish the following strategies—

(a)a strategy (a clinician engagement strategy) to promote consultation with health professionals working in the Service; and

(b)a strategy (a consumer and community engagement strategy) to promote consultation with health consumers and members of the community about the provision of health services by the Service; and

(c)a strategy (a health equity strategy) to achieve, and to specify the Service’s activities to achieve, health equity for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people in the provision of health services by the Service.

(2)The Service must consult with the following persons in developing the strategies—

(a)for the clinician engagement strategy—health professionals working in the Service;

(b)for the consumer and community engagement strategy—health consumers and members of the community;

(c)for the health equity strategy—the persons prescribed by regulation.

(3)Each of the strategies must—

(a)satisfy any requirements prescribed by regulation for that strategy; and

(b)be published in a way that allows the strategy to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

(4)The Service must give effect to the strategies in performing its functions under this Act.

(5)In giving effect to the health equity strategy, the Service must consult with the persons prescribed, and in the way prescribed, by regulation.

s 40 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2020 No. 31 s 13

41Review of strategies

(1)A Service must complete a review of each strategy mentioned in section 40 within 3 years after it is made and afterwards within 3 years after the previous review.

(2)The Service must consult with the following persons in reviewing a strategy—

(a)for the clinician engagement strategy—health professionals working in the Service;

(b)for the consumer and community engagement strategy—health consumers and members of the community;

(c)for the health equity strategy—the persons prescribed under section 40(2)(c).

(3)If a strategy is amended as a result of the review, the Service must publish the amended strategy in a way that allows it to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

s 41 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2020 No. 31 s 14

42Protocol with primary healthcare organisations

(1)A Service must use its best endeavours to agree on a protocol with local primary healthcare organisations to promote cooperation between the Service and the organisations in the planning and delivery of health services.

(2)A protocol must—

(a)satisfy any requirements prescribed by regulation for the protocol; and

(b)be published in a way that allows the protocol to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

(3)The Service must give effect to the protocol in performing its functions under this Act.

s 42 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

43Review of protocol

(1)A Service must use its best endeavours to complete a review of a protocol within 3 years after it is made and afterwards within 3 years after the previous review.

(2)The review must be conducted with the local primary healthcare organisations.

(3)If a protocol is amended as a result of the review, the Service must publish the amended protocol in a way that allows it to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

s 43 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 2 div 4A hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 19

43AMinister may establish ancillary board

(1)The Minister may establish a Hospital and Health Ancillary Board (an ancillary board) to give advice to a Hospital and Health Board in relation to—

(a)a public sector hospital; or

(b)a public sector health facility; or

(c)a public sector health service; or

(d)a part of the State.

(2)Before establishing an ancillary board the Minister may consult with—

(a)the relevant Hospital and Health Board; and

(b)the community who receive health services from, or in, the public sector hospital, public sector health facility, public sector health service or part of the State for which the ancillary board may be established.

(3)The Minister must assign a name to the ancillary board.

(4)A regulation may prescribe matters relating to the establishment and operation of an ancillary board.

(5)Without limiting subsection (4), a regulation may provide for the following—

(a)the way in which an ancillary board is to exercise its function of providing advice to a board;

(b)the way consultation is to occur between—

(i)an ancillary board and the board to which it is to provide advice; or

(ii)an ancillary board and the Service controlled by the board;

(c)the appointment and removal of members of an ancillary board.

s 43A ins 2012 No. 9 s 19

pt 2 div 5 hdg sub 2012 No. 9 s 20

44Minister may give directions to Service

(1)The Minister may give a Service a written direction about a matter relevant to the performance of its functions under this Act, if the Minister is satisfied it is necessary to do so in the public interest.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may direct a Service to give the Minister stated reports and information.

(3)However, the Minister may not give a direction about—

(a)the health services provided, or to be provided, to a particular person; or

(b)the employment of a particular person.

(4)The Minister must give a copy of a direction to the chief executive who must, as soon as practicable, publish it in a way that allows it to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

(5)A Service must comply with a direction given by the Minister.

(6)A Service’s annual report under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 for a financial year must include a statement about—

(a)each direction given by the Minister to the Service during the financial year; and

(b)action taken by the Service as a result of the direction.

s 44 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 21, 54 sch

44AMinister may appoint advisers to boards

(1)The Minister may appoint a person to be an adviser to a board if the Minister considers that the adviser may assist the board to improve the performance of—

(a)the board; or

(b)the Service controlled by the board.

(2)An appointment under this section must be—

(a)in writing; and

(b)for the term not exceeding 1 year decided by the Minister; and

(c)on the terms and conditions, including remuneration, decided by the Minister.

(3)The Minister must not appoint more than 2 persons to be advisers to a board at the same time.

(4)An appointment under this section is effective whether or not the board agrees to the appointment.

(5)An adviser may resign by notice in writing to the Minister.

s 44A ins 2012 No. 9 s 22

44BMatters to which Minister may have regard in deciding whether to appoint adviser

In deciding whether to appoint an adviser to a board, the Minister may have regard to the performance of the board or the Service controlled by the board in relation to the following—

(a)the safety and quality of the health services being provided by the Service;

(b)the way in which the Service is complying with the service agreement for the Service;

(c)the financial management of the Service.

s 44B ins 2012 No. 9 s 22

44CFunctions of advisers

The functions of an adviser are—

(a)to attend board meetings; and

(b)to provide information and advice to the board to assist it in performing its functions under this Act; and

(c)to advise the Minister and the chief executive on any matter relating to the performance of the board or the Service controlled by the board.

s 44C ins 2012 No. 9 s 22

44DAdviser not a member of board but has duty of disclosure

An adviser is not a member of the board, but schedule 1, section 9 applies to an adviser as if the adviser were a member of the board.

s 44D ins 2012 No. 9 s 22

amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

44EObligations of board in relation to adviser

(1)While an adviser’s appointment is in force, the board must provide the adviser with all notices of board meetings, and all documents and other information provided to board members.

(2)The board must permit the adviser—

(a)to attend all meetings of the board; and

(b)to provide information and advice to the board during meetings.

s 44E ins 2012 No. 9 s 22

pt 3 hdg amd 2020 No. 23 s 55B; 2021 No. 16 s 22D

44FChief executive subject to direction of the Minister

(1)The chief executive is subject to the directions of the Minister in managing the department.

(2)However, in making decisions about particular individuals, the chief executive—

(a)must act independently, impartially and fairly; and

(b)is not subject to the direction of the Minister.

s 44F ins 2012 No. 9 s 23

45Functions of chief executive

The chief executive has the following functions—

(a)to provide strategic leadership and direction for the delivery of public sector health services in the State;

(b)to promote the effective and efficient use of available resources in the delivery of public sector health services in the State;

(c)to develop Statewide health service plans, workforce plans and capital works plans;

(d)to manage major capital works for proposed public sector health service facilities;

(e)to employ staff in the department, including to work for Services other than prescribed Services;

(f)to manage Statewide industrial relations, including the negotiation of certified agreements, and making applications to make or vary awards;

(g)to establish the conditions of employment for health service employees, including issuing health employment directives;

(h)to deliver specialised health services;

(i)to arrange for the provision of health services to public patients in private health facilities;

(j)to develop and issue health service directives to apply to the Services;

(k)to enter into service agreements with the Services;

(l)to provide support services to Services;

(m)to monitor and promote improvements in the quality of health services delivered by Services;

(n)to monitor the performance of Services, and take remedial action when performance does not meet the expected standard;

(o)to receive and validate performance data and other data provided by Services;

(p)to provide performance data and other data to the Commonwealth, or an entity established under an Act of the Commonwealth;

(q)other functions given to the chief executive under this Act or another Act.

s 45 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 24, 54 sch; 2013 No. 61 s 85

46Delegation by chief executive

(1)The chief executive may delegate the chief executive’s functions under this Act to a health service chief executive or an appropriately qualified employee of the department.

(2)However, the chief executive must not delegate the function—

(a)to enter into a service agreement with a Service; or

(b)to authorise the disclosure of confidential information in the public interest under section 160; or

(c)to issue a health service directive or health employment directive; or

(d)to make a standard under section 138E.

(3)Subsection (4) applies if the chief executive is considering whether, and the extent to which, to delegate to a health service chief executive a matter that affects employees.

(4)The chief executive must have regard to the Service’s capacity and capability to effectively administer the human resource management and industrial relations processes for employees.

(5)A health service chief executive, with the written approval of the chief executive, may subdelegate a function delegated to the health service chief executive under subsection (1) to an appropriately qualified—

(a)health executive employed by the Service; or

(b)health service employee employed in the department and working for the Service.

(6)However, a health service chief executive may not subdelegate the function to authorise access to an information system under section 161A delegated to the health service chief executive under subsection (1).

(7)A health executive in the department, with the written approval of the chief executive, may subdelegate a function delegated to the health executive under subsection (1) to an appropriately qualified departmental employee.

s 46 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 25, 54 sch; 2013 No. 61 s 86; 2014 No. 65 s 20; 2016 No. 29 s 4

47Health service directives

(1)The chief executive may develop and issue health service directives to Services for the following—

(a)promoting service coordination and integration in the delivery of health services—

(i)between Services; and

(ii)between Services, the department and other service providers;

(b)optimising the effective and efficient use of available resources in the delivery of health services;

(c)setting standards and policies for the safe and high quality delivery of health services;

(d)ensuring consistent approaches to the delivery of health services, employment matters (other than conditions of employment for health service employees) and the delivery of support services;

(e)supporting the application of public sector policies, State and Commonwealth Acts, and agreements entered into by the State.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), health service directives may be about the following—

(a)standards and policies for the healthcare rights of users of public sector health services;

(b)standards and policies for improving the quality of health services;

(c)the use by Services of support services provided by the department, other departments or other Services;

(d)the purchasing of goods and services under contracts and agreements entered into by the department, other departments or other Services;

(e)the provision of information to the chief executive and other entities;

(f)responding to public health emergencies;

(g)the setting of fees and charges, including for the provision of services to private patients, for residential care, and for the supply of pharmaceuticals;

(h)other matters prescribed under a regulation.

(3)Health service directives may apply to all Services, some Services, or a stated type of public sector health service facility or public sector health service.

(4)In this section—

delivery, of health services, includes—

(a)matters that support the delivery of health services, including—

(i)the establishment and operation of clinical networks; and

(ii)the provision of training to health professionals or students in public sector health service facilities; and

(iii)the engagement of independent contractor visiting medical officers or other contracted health professionals; and

(iv)private practice arrangements for health professionals; and

(v)the management of information, including the way in which information is captured, collated, shared and reported; and

(vi)research, innovation and the application of intellectual property; and

(b)undertaking capital works for proposed public sector health service facilities; and

(c)the provision of health services to public patients in private health facilities.

s 47 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2013 No. 61 s 87

48Consultation on health service directives

In developing a health service directive that applies to a Service, the chief executive must consult with the Service.

s 48 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

49Publication of health service directives

A health service directive must be published in a way that allows the directive to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

50Health service directives binding

A health service directive is binding on the Service to which it relates.

s 50 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

51Review of health service directives

(1)The chief executive must complete a review of a health service directive within 3 years after it is made and afterwards within 3 years after the previous review.

(2)In reviewing a directive, the chief executive must consult with a Service for a directive that applies to the Service.

(3)If a directive is amended as a result of the review, the chief executive must publish the amended directive in a way that allows it to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

s 51 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 3 div 2A hdg ins 2013 No. 61 s 88

51AHealth employment directives

(1)The chief executive may issue health employment directives about the conditions of employment for health service employees.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a health employment directive may be about the following—

(a)remuneration for health executives and senior health service employees;

(b)the classification levels at which health executives and senior health service employees are to be employed;

(c)the terms of contracts for health executives and senior health service employees;

(d)the professional development and training of health service employees in accordance with the conditions of their employment.

(3)A health employment directive may apply to any or all of the following—

(a)the department, a Service or all Services;

(b)health service employees, or a stated type of health service employee.

s 51A ins 2013 No. 61 s 88

amd 2015 No. 7 s 35C

51AAConsultation on health employment directives

(1)This section applies if the chief executive proposes to issue, amend or repeal a health employment directive that applies to—

(a)1 or more Services; or

(b)health service employees who are represented by an employee organisation.

(2)The chief executive must consult with the Services or employee organisation about the issuing of the proposed health employment directive or the proposed amendment or repeal of the health employment directive.

(3)Despite section 46(2)(c), the chief executive may delegate under section 46(1) the function under subsection (2).

(4)In this section—

employee organisation see the Industrial Relations Act 2016, schedule 5.

s 51AA ins 2016 No. 63 s 1110

amd 2020 No. 31 s 15

51BRelationship with legislation

If a health employment directive is inconsistent with an Act or subordinate legislation, the Act or subordinate legislation prevails over the health employment directive.

s 51B ins 2013 No. 61 s 88

51CRelationship between health employment directives and other instruments

(1)If a health employment directive is inconsistent with an industrial instrument, the industrial instrument prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

(1A)Subsection (1) does not apply if the terms and conditions of employment provided for in the health employment directive are more favourable to the employee than the terms and conditions of employment provided for in the industrial instrument.

(2)If a health employment directive is inconsistent with a directive under the Public Sector Act 2022, section 222, the health employment directive prevails over the directive.

(3)If a health employment directive is inconsistent with a contract entered into with a senior health service employee, the contract prevails over the health employment directive to the extent of the inconsistency.

(4)However, for subsection (3), to the extent a health employment directive provides for an increase in remuneration or other benefits for an employee, the directive is taken not to be inconsistent with a contract entered into with a senior health service employee.

(5)Subsections (3) and (4) apply despite section 51E.

(6)In this section—

health employment directive includes—

(a)a decision made in the exercise of a discretion under the directive; and

(b)a health service directive to which section 321 applies.

s 51C ins 2013 No. 61 s 88

amd 2014 No. 15 s 3; 2015 No. 7 s 35D; 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3

51DPublication of health employment directives

A health employment directive must be published in a way that allows the directive to be accessed by health service employees and members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

s 51D ins 2013 No. 61 s 88

51EHealth employment directives binding

(1)A health employment directive that applies to an employee of the department is binding on the employee and the department.

(2)A health employment directive that applies to an employee of a Service is binding on the employee and the Service.

Note—

A health employment directive may apply to both employees of a department and a Service. See section 51A(3).

s 51E ins 2013 No. 61 s 88

51FReview of health employment directives

(1)The chief executive must complete a review of a health employment directive within 3 years after it is made and afterwards within 3 years after the previous review.

(2)If a directive is amended as a result of the review, the chief executive must publish the amended directive in a way that allows it to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the internet.

s 51F ins 2013 No. 61 s 88

pt 3 div 3 hdg amd 2020 No. 23 s 55C; 2021 No. 16 s 22E

52Chief health officer

(1)There is to be a chief health officer for the State.

(2)The chief health officer is to be employed as a public service officer or as a health service employee.

(3)The chief health officer must be a medical practitioner.

53Functions of chief health officer

The functions of the chief health officer are—

(a)to provide high-level medical advice to the chief executive and the Minister on health issues, including policy and legislative matters associated with the health and safety of the Queensland public; and

(b)any functions given to the chief health officer by the chief executive; and

(c)other functions under this or another Act.

s 53 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

53AA Deputy chief health officers

(1)The chief executive may appoint 1 or more deputy chief health officers for the State.

(2)A deputy chief health officer is to be employed as a public service officer or as a health service employee.

(3)A deputy chief health officer must be a medical practitioner.

s 53AA ins 2020 No. 23 s 55D

amd 2021 No. 16 s 22F

53AB Functions of deputy chief health officers

The functions of a deputy chief health officer are—

(a)to support the chief health officer in the exercise of the chief health officer’s functions under this or another Act; and

(b)any functions given to the deputy chief health officer by the chief health officer or the chief executive; and

(c)other functions under this or another Act.

s 53AB ins 2020 No. 23 s 55D

amd 2021 No. 16 s 22G

53AC Delegation by chief health officer

The chief health officer may delegate the chief health officer’s functions or powers under this or another Act to a deputy chief health officer.

s 53AC ins 2020 No. 23 s 55D

amd 2021 No. 16 s 22H

pt 3A hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 1 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53APurpose

The main purpose of this part is to enhance the accountability and transparency of the funding of public sector hospitals, other public sector health services, and teaching, training and research related to the provision of health services.

s 53A ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 2 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53BEstablishment of State pool account

The chief executive is to establish an account with the Reserve Bank of Australia to be called the State pool account.

s 53B ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53CPayment into State pool account

(1)The following must be paid into the State pool account—

(a)all activity-based funding allocated from State funds for the provision of hospital services under the National Health Reform Agreement;

(b)all funding received from the Commonwealth for the provision of hospital and other health services under the National Health Reform Agreement.

(2)The following may be paid into the State pool account—

(a)exceptional payments for the provision of health services decided by the chief executive;

(b)interest earned on the account.

(3)The amounts paid into the State pool account may include adjustments—

(a)to reflect the difference between estimated and actual services provided; and

(b)for other funding reconciliations under the National Health Reform Agreement.

(4)In this section—

health services also includes teaching, training and research related to the provision of health services.

s 53C ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53DPayments from State pool account

(1)The payment of funds from the State pool account, including the timing of the payments, is to be made only by the administrator at the direction of the Minister.

(2)The administrator is required to authorise personally each payment made from the State pool account.

(3)Payments from the State pool account are to be made only to—

(a)Hospital and Health Services and other providers of hospital and other health services; or

(b)the State managed fund; or

(c)an account in the department other than the State pool account or the State managed fund.

(4)A direction made by the Minister to the administrator for the payment of funds from the State pool account is to be consistent with—

(a)the purpose for which the funding was paid into the account; and

(b)the National Health Reform Agreement; and

(c)advice provided by the administrator about the basis on which the administrator has calculated payments into the account by the Commonwealth; and

(d)any relevant service agreement between the chief executive and a Service.

(5)This section does not prevent the Minister from directing the administrator to pay funds—

(a)to reflect the difference between estimated and actual services provided; or

(b)for other funding reconciliations under the National Health Reform Agreement; or

(c)to correct any error in payments out of the State pool account; or

(d)to pay fees associated with maintaining the State pool account, including financial institution fees and audit fees; or

(e)for interest earned on the State pool account, for any purpose decided by the Treasurer; or

(f)to the department for the provision of support services to Services.

s 53D ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53EPayment from State pool account if no administrator or administrator not available to make the payment

The chief executive may pay funds from the State pool account at the direction of the Minister as if the chief executive were the administrator—

(a)if there is no administrator or acting administrator appointed under this Act; or

(b)the administrator is not available to make the payment.

s 53E ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 3 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53FEstablishment of State managed fund

The chief executive is to establish an account with a financial institution to be called the State managed fund.

s 53F ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53GPayment into State managed fund

(1)The following must be paid into the State managed fund—

(a)block funding allocated by the State, or paid from the State pool account, for the provision of hospital and other health services under the National Health Reform Agreement;

(b)funding for teaching, training and research related to the provision of health services allocated by the State, or paid from the State pool account, under the National Health Reform Agreement.

(2)Exceptional payments for the provision of health services decided by the chief executive may be paid into the State managed fund.

(3)The amounts paid into the State managed fund may include adjustments—

(a)to reflect the difference between estimated and actual services provided; and

(b)for other funding reconciliations under the National Health Reform Agreement.

(4)In this section—

block funding means funding for public patient services that are not appropriately funded through activity-based funding but does not include top-up funding provided by the Commonwealth under the National Health Reform Agreement.

s 53G ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53HPayments from State managed fund

(1)Payments of funds from the State managed fund, including the timing of the payments, are to be decided by the chief executive.

(2)Payments from the State managed fund are to be made only to—

(a)Hospital and Health Services and other providers of hospital and other health services; and

(b)universities and other providers of teaching, training and research related to the provision of health services.

(3)Payment of funds from the State managed fund is to be consistent with—

(a)the purpose for which the funding was paid into the fund; and

(b)the National Health Reform Agreement; and

(c)any relevant service agreement between the chief executive and a Service.

(4)This section does not prevent the chief executive from paying amounts from the State managed fund—

(a)to reflect the difference between estimated and actual services provided; or

(b)for other funding reconciliations under the National Health Reform Agreement; or

(c)to correct any error in payments out of the fund; or

(d)to pay fees associated with maintaining the fund, including financial institution fees and audit fees; or

(e)to another account in the department for the provision of support services to Services.

s 53H ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 4 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 4 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53IDefinitions for div 4

(1)In this division—

administrator means the administrator of the National Health Funding Pool appointed under section 53K and under the corresponding provision of the laws of the Commonwealth and the other States.

COAG means the Council of Australian Governments.

function includes a power, authority or duty.

Hospital and Health Service—

(a)for Queensland, means a Hospital and Health Service established under section 17; or

(b)for another State, means an organisation that is a local hospital network (however described) for the purposes of the National Health Reform Agreement.

National Health Funding Pool means the combined State pool accounts for each State.

National Health Reform Agreement means the National Health Reform Agreement between the Commonwealth and the States that was agreed to by COAG on 2 August 2011, as amended from time to time.

responsible Minister for a jurisdiction means the relevant Minister with portfolio responsibility for the administration of the provision of this division in which the expression occurs (or of the corresponding provision of the laws of the Commonwealth and the other States).

Note—

See also section 53ZB.

Standing Council on Health means (subject to subsection (2)) the Ministerial Council by that name or, if there is no such Ministerial Council, the standing Ministerial Council established or recognised by COAG whose members include all Ministers in Australia having portfolio responsibility for health.

State includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

State managed fund of a State means a bank account or fund established or designated by the State for the purposes of health funding under the National Health Reform Agreement that is required to be undertaken in the State through a State managed fund.

State pool account of a State means the bank account established by the State under section 53B or under the corresponding provisions of the law of another State.

(2)The Standing Council on Health, when acting under this division, is to be constituted only by a single Minister for the Commonwealth and a single Minister for each of the States, and any reference in this division to a member of that Council is to be construed as a reference to those Ministerial members only.

(3)If there are 2 or more Ministers for the Commonwealth or for a State who are members of the Standing Council on Health, the relevant Minister for the purposes of this division is the Minister having primary portfolio responsibility for health in his or her jurisdiction.

(4)A reference in this division to the agreement of, or a request by, a member of the Standing Council on Health is a reference to an agreement or request in writing.

(5)This division is to be interpreted in accordance with Schedule 7 to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law set out in the Schedule to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009.

(6)The Acts Interpretation Act 1954 does not apply to or in respect of this division.

s 53I ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 4 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53JThe office of administrator

(1)The office of administrator of the National Health Funding Pool is established by this division.

(2)It is the intention of Parliament that the same individual holds the office established under subsection (1) and under the corresponding provision of the laws of the Commonwealth and the other States.

(3)The administrator appointed under this division may exercise and perform the functions of the administrator in relation to—

(a)one jurisdiction; or

(b)2 or more or all jurisdictions collectively.

(4)A reference in a provision of this division (other than in section 53P(1)) to a function of the administrator under this division includes a reference to a function of the administrator under the corresponding provision of the laws of the Commonwealth and the other States.

s 53J ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53KAppointment of administrator

(1)The Minister for this jurisdiction who is a member of the Standing Council on Health is to appoint an individual to the office of the administrator of the National Health Funding Pool under this division.

(2)Before the appointment is made, the Chair of the Standing Council on Health is to give each member of the Council an opportunity to nominate an individual for appointment.

(3)An appointment is not to be made unless all the members of the Standing Council on Health have agreed on the individual who will be appointed as administrator, the date that the appointment will take effect, the period of appointment and the conditions of appointment.

(4)The appointment is to be made by instrument in writing.

(5)The administrator is to be appointed (subject to subsection (3)) for the period, not exceeding 5 years, and on the conditions specified in his or her instrument of appointment, but is eligible for re-appointment.

(6)The administrator is entitled to the remuneration determined in accordance with the law of the Commonwealth.

s 53K ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53LSuspension of administrator

(1)The Chair of the Standing Council on Health is required to suspend the administrator from office if requested to do so by—

(a)at least 3 members of the Council who are Ministers of a State; or

(b)the member of the Council who is a Minister of the Commonwealth.

(2)A member of the Standing Council on Health is not to request the suspension of the administrator unless the member is satisfied that the administrator—

(a)is, because of any physical or mental incapacity or otherwise, unable to perform his or her functions satisfactorily; or

(b)has failed to comply with his or her obligations or duties as administrator; or

(c)has been accused or convicted of an offence that carries a penalty of imprisonment; or

(d)has or may become bankrupt.

(3)A suspension is to be effected by an instrument in writing and is to be notified by the Chair of the Standing Council on Health to all members of the Council.

(4)A suspension is terminated after a period of suspension of 60 days unless before the end of that period the administrator is removed or resigns from office or a majority of the members of the Standing Council on Health—

(a)terminate the suspension; or

(b)extend the suspension for a specified further period.

(5)Despite subsection (1), the Chair of the Standing Council on Health is not to suspend the administrator from office within the period of 90 days after an earlier period of suspension was terminated unless a majority of the members of the Council request the Chair to do so.

s 53L ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53MRemoval or resignation of administrator

(1)The Minister for this jurisdiction who is a member of the Standing Council on Health is required to remove the administrator from office if a majority of the members of the Council agree to the administrator’s removal from office.

(2)The administrator is to be removed from office by an instrument in writing that takes effect on the date agreed to by the majority of the members of the Standing Council on Health.

(3)The administrator may resign as administrator by notice in writing to the Chair of the Standing Council on Health.

(4)The resignation of the administrator takes effect on the date notified by the Chair of the Standing Council on Health to all members of the Council.

s 53M ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53NActing administrator

(1)The Chair of the Standing Council on Health may, from time to time, appoint an individual to act as the administrator during any period when the office is vacant or the holder of the office is suspended or absent from duty.

(2)Any such appointment may only be made from a panel of persons, and in accordance with the procedure, agreed to by all the members of the Standing Council on Health.

s 53N ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53OProvision of staff and facilities for administrator

(1)Staff and facilities to assist the administrator in exercising or performing his or her functions under this division are to be provided by the National Health Funding Body constituted under the National Health Reform Act 2011 of the Commonwealth.

(2)The administrator is not entitled to delegate a function conferred on the administrator under this division to that body, to any such member of staff or to any other person or body.

s 53O ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53PFunctions of administrator

(1)The administrator is—

(a)to calculate and advise the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of the amounts required to be paid by the Commonwealth into each State pool account of the National Health Funding Pool under the National Health Reform Agreement (including advice on any reconciliation of those amounts based on subsequent actual service delivery); and

(b)to monitor State payments into each State pool account for the purposes of subdivision 3; and

(c)to make payments from each State pool account in accordance with the directions of the State concerned; and

(d)to report publicly on the payments made into and from each State pool account and other matters on which the administrator is required to report under this division; and

(e)to exercise or perform any other functions conferred on the administrator under this division.

Note—

The National Health Reform Act 2011 (Cwlth) provides that the functions of the administrator include monitoring Commonwealth payments into each State pool account for the purposes of financial management and reporting.

(2)The administrator and the body and staff assisting the administrator are not subject to the control or direction of any Minister of the Commonwealth in relation to the exercise or performance of the administrator’s functions under this division.

(3)However, the administrator is required to comply with any directions given by COAG in relation to the manner in which the administrator exercises or performs his or her functions under this division (including in relation to the preparation or provision of annual or monthly reports, financial statements or information under subdivision 3).

(4)Directions given by COAG under subsection (3)—

(a)are to be given in accordance with a written resolution of COAG passed in accordance with the procedures determined by COAG; and

(b)are to be notified in writing to the administrator; and

(c)are to be made publicly available by the administrator.

(5)To avoid doubt, this division is not intended—

(a)to give the Commonwealth ownership or control of money in a State pool account; or

(b)to affect the obligation of the administrator under the law of a State to make payments from the State pool account of the State in accordance with the directions of the State.

(6)To avoid doubt, the administrator may have regard to information obtained in the exercise or performance of functions under the law of another jurisdiction in the exercise or performance of the administrator’s functions under subdivision 3.

s 53P ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 4 sdiv 3 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53QFinancial management obligations of administrator

The administrator must—

(a)develop and apply appropriate financial management policies and procedures with respect to the State pool accounts (including policies and procedures to ensure payments from those accounts are made in accordance with the directions of the responsible Ministers); and

(b)keep proper records in relation to the administration of the State pool accounts, including records of all payments made into and from those accounts and the basis on which the payments were made; and

(c)prepare the financial statements required by this subdivision in relation to the State pool accounts and arrange for the audit of those financial statements in accordance with this subdivision.

s 53Q ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53RMonthly reports by administrator

(1)The administrator must provide monthly reports to the Commonwealth and each State containing the following information for the relevant month—

(a)the amounts paid into each State pool account and State managed fund by the relevant State and the basis on which the payments were made;

(b)the amounts paid into each State pool account by the Commonwealth and the basis on which the payments were made;

(c)the amounts paid from each State pool account to Hospital and Health Services, a State managed fund or other organisations or funds and the basis on which the payments were made;

(d)the amounts paid from each State managed fund to Hospital and Health Services or other organisations or funds and the basis on which the payments were made;

(e)the number of public hospital services funded for each Hospital and Health Service (including a running financial year total) in accordance with the system of activity-based funding;

(f)the number of other public hospital services and functions funded from each State pool account or State managed fund (including a running financial year total).

(2)A monthly report required to be provided to a jurisdiction under this section is to be provided to the responsible Minister for that jurisdiction or to a body or officer notified to the administrator by that Minister.

(3)The administrator is to make reports provided under this section publicly available.

s 53R ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53SAnnual report by administrator

(1)The administrator must, within 4 months after the end of each financial year, provide to the responsible Ministers an annual report on the exercise or performance of his or her functions under this division during the financial year.

(2)The annual report must include the following information for the relevant financial year—

(a)the amounts paid into each State pool account and State managed fund by the relevant State and the basis on which the payments were made;

(b)the amounts paid into each State pool account by the Commonwealth and the basis on which the payments were made;

(c)the amounts paid from each State pool account to Hospital and Health Services, a State managed fund or other organisations or funds and the basis on which the payments were made;

(d)the amounts paid from each State managed fund to Hospital and Health Services or other organisations or funds and the basis on which the payments were made;

(e)the number of public hospital services funded for each Hospital and Health Service in accordance with the system of activity-based funding;

(f)the number of other public hospital services and functions funded from each State pool account or State managed fund.

(3)The annual report is to be accompanied by—

(a)an audited financial statement for each State pool account; and

(b)a financial statement that combines the audited financial statements for each State pool account.

(4)A responsible Minister must, as soon as practicable after receiving an annual report under this section, cause a copy of the report to be tabled in the Parliament of the responsible Minister’s jurisdiction.

s 53S ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53TAdministrator to prepare financial statements for State pool accounts

The administrator must, after each financial year, prepare—

(a)a financial statement for each State pool account that details financial transactions during that financial year; and

(b)a combined financial statement that consists of the financial statements for each State pool account for the financial year.

s 53T ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53UAudit of financial statements

(1)The auditor-general must, for each financial year—

(a)audit the financial statements under this subdivision for the State pool account established under section 53B; and

(b)prepare an auditor’s report about the financial statements.

(2)As soon as practicable after the auditor-general has audited the financial statements and prepared an auditor’s report, the auditor-general must—

(a)give the certified statements and the auditor’s report to the chief executive; and

(b)give a copy of the certified statements and the auditor’s report to the administrator, the Minister and the Treasurer.

(3)The Auditor-General Act 2009 applies to an audit under this section as if it were conducted under that Act.

(4)Without limiting subsection (3)—

(a)the auditor-general has the same powers the auditor-general has in relation to an audit of the consolidated fund or an entity under the Auditor-General Act 2009; and

(b)the Auditor-General Act 2009, section 53 applies to a record made, or information divulged or communicated, in relation to an audit under this section as if it were a record made, or information divulged or communicated, under that Act.

s 53U ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53VPerformance audits

(1)This section applies to all or any particular activities of the administrator that relate to Queensland.

(2)The auditor-general may conduct a performance audit, under the Auditor-General Act 2009, section 37A, of all or any of the particular activities of the administrator as if the administrator were a public sector entity under that Act.

(3)Before the auditor-general of this jurisdiction conducts a performance audit, the auditor-general must notify the Auditors-General of all other jurisdictions of his or her intention to conduct the proposed audit.

(4)Auditors-General who are conducting performance audits at the same time are to make arrangements to coordinate the conduct of those audits in relation to any requirements imposed on the administrator.

s 53V ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53WStates to provide administrator with information about State managed funds

The responsible Minister for a State is to provide information to the administrator about any of the following matters relating to the State managed fund of the State that the administrator requires for the preparation of reports and financial statements under this subdivision—

(a)the amounts paid by the State into the State managed fund and the basis on which the payments were made;

(b)the amounts paid by the State from the State managed fund to Hospital and Health Services or other organisations or funds and the basis on which the payments were made;

(c)public hospital services and functions that are funded from the State managed fund.

s 53W ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53XProvision of information generally

(1)The administrator is required to provide to the responsible Minister for a jurisdiction any information requested by that responsible Minister that relates to that jurisdiction.

(2)The information is to be provided by the time requested by that responsible Minister.

(3)The administrator is required to provide to the responsible Ministers of all jurisdictions a copy of advice provided by the administrator to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth about the basis on which the administrator has calculated the payments to be made into State pool accounts by the Commonwealth.

(4)The administrator may at any time provide any information that relates to a jurisdiction to the responsible Minister for that jurisdiction.

(5)Any information relating to a jurisdiction that is provided by the administrator to another jurisdiction may only be publicly released by that other jurisdiction in accordance with arrangements approved by the responsible Minister for the jurisdiction to which the information relates.

s 53X ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

pt 3A div 4 sdiv 4 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53YApplication of Acts to administrator

(1)The administrator is a unit of public administration under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.

(2)The following Acts do not apply to the administrator in performing a function under this Act—

(a)the Information Privacy Act 2009;

(b)the Ombudsman Act 2001;

(c)the Right to Information Act 2009;

(d)the Public Records Act 2002.

(3)To remove doubt, it is declared that the administrator is not a statutory body for—

(a)the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982; or

(b)the Financial Accountability Act 2009

s 53Y ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

53ZApplication of Commonwealth Acts

(1)The following Acts apply (subject to subsection (2)) as laws of this jurisdiction to or in respect of the administrator and any function exercised or performed by the administrator—

(a)the Archives Act 1983 of the Commonwealth;

(b)the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 of the Commonwealth;

(c)the Freedom of Information Act 1982 of the Commonwealth;

(d)the Ombudsman Act 1976 of the Commonwealth;

(e)the Privacy Act 1988 of the Commonwealth.

(2)Each of those Acts so applies subject to the modifications made by Regulations made under the National Health Reform Act 2011 of the Commonwealth with the agreement of all the members of the Standing Council on Health.

s 53Z ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53ZAExtra territorial operation of Act

It is the intention of Parliament that the operation of this division is to include, as far as possible, operation in relation to the following—

(a)things situated in or outside the territorial limits of this jurisdiction;

(b)acts, transactions and matters done, entered into or occurring in or outside the territorial limits of this jurisdiction;

(c)things, acts, transactions and matters (wherever situated, done, entered into or occurring) that would, apart from this division, be governed or otherwise affected by the law of another jurisdiction.

s 53ZA ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

53ZBTransitional and validation provisions

(1)If, on the commencement of this division, corresponding provisions to this division have not been enacted by another jurisdiction, the responsible Minister for that jurisdiction for the purposes of this division is the Minister of that jurisdiction with portfolio responsibility for health.

(2)Any thing done by a Minister of the Commonwealth or of a State before the commencement of this division that would have been validly done if this division, and the corresponding provisions of other jurisdictions, had been in force at the time is taken to have been validly done.

s 53ZB ins 2012 No. 9 s 26

54Chief executive may provide data to Commonwealth

(1)Subsection (2) applies to performance data and other data provided by a Service to the chief executive—

(a)under the service agreement between the chief executive and the Service; or

(b)under a health service directive.

(2)The chief executive may validate the data and provide relevant data to—

(a)the Commonwealth; or

(b)an entity established under an Act of the Commonwealth.

(3)In this section—

relevant data means—

(a)data the State and Commonwealth have agreed is to be provided to—

(i)the Commonwealth; or

(ii)an entity established under an Act of the Commonwealth; or

(b)data the State and an entity established under an Act of the Commonwealth have agreed is to be provided to the entity.

s 54 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 27, 54 sch

55Function of health service auditors

(1)The function of a health service auditor is to conduct health service audits.

(2)In this section—

efficient price means the cost of providing a particular health service as stated by an entity established under an Act of the Commonwealth to provide advice on the funding of health services.

health service audit means an audit—

(a)to examine the accuracy of performance data and other data reported by a Service or a manager of a specialised health service; or

(b)to investigate the circumstances leading to an inability of a Service or a specialised health service to meet any performance measures applying to the Service or specialised health service; or

Example—

an audit to investigate the circumstances leading to an inability of a Service to provide services at an efficient price

(c)to investigate any other matter to promote the effective and efficient use of available resources in the delivery of public sector health services.

s 55 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

56Appointment of health service auditors

(1)The chief executive (the appointer) may, in writing, appoint a person as a health service auditor to undertake a health service audit in the department or a Service.

(2)A health service chief executive (also the appointer) may, in writing, appoint a person as a health service auditor to undertake a health service audit in the Service.

(3)However, the appointer may appoint a person as a health service auditor only if the appointer is satisfied the person is qualified for appointment because the person has the necessary expertise or experience.

s 56 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

57Appointment conditions and limit on powers

(1)A health service auditor holds office on any conditions stated in—

(a)the auditor’s instrument of appointment; or

(b)a signed notice given to the auditor; or

(c)a regulation.

(2)The instrument of appointment, a signed notice given to the auditor or a regulation may limit the auditor’s powers.

(3)In this section—

signed notice means a notice signed by the appointer.

58When office ends

(1)The office of a person as a health service auditor ends if any of the following happens—

(a)the term of office stated in a condition of office ends;

(b)under another condition of office, the office ends;

(c)the auditor’s resignation under section 59 takes effect.

(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the ways the office of a person as an auditor ends.

(3)In this section—

condition of office means a condition under which the auditor holds office.

59Resignation

(1)A health service auditor may resign by signed notice given to the appointer.

(2)However, if holding office as an auditor is a condition of the auditor holding another office, the auditor may not resign as an auditor without resigning from the other office.

60Powers of health service auditors

(1)A health service auditor may enter a public sector health service facility at any time the facility is open for business or otherwise open for entry.

(2)A health service auditor may, in the exercise of the auditor’s functions, ask an employee of the department or a Service to give to the auditor a document, including a document containing confidential information, that—

(a)is relevant to the auditor’s functions; and

(b)is in the possession or control of the employee.

(3)The employee must comply with the request.

(4)If requested by the employee, the health service auditor must produce the auditor’s instrument of appointment to the employee.

(5)The health service auditor may make copies of, and take extracts from, the document.

(6)In this section—

confidential information means any information that—

(a)is about a person who is receiving or has received a public sector health service; and

(b)could identify the person.

s 60 amd 2012 No. 9 s 28

61Giving health service auditor false or misleading information

(1)A person must not, in relation to a health service audit, give a health service auditor information, or a document containing information, that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1) applies to information or a document given in relation to a health service audit whether or not the information or document was given in response to a specific power under this division.

62Obstructing health service auditor

(1)A person must not obstruct a health service auditor exercising a power unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)If a person has obstructed a health service auditor and the auditor decides to proceed with the exercise of the power, the auditor must warn the person that—

(a)it is an offence to cause an obstruction unless the person has a reasonable excuse; and

(b)the auditor considers the person’s conduct an obstruction.

(3)In this section—

obstruct includes assault, hinder, resist, attempt to obstruct and threaten to obstruct.

63Duty of confidentiality of health service auditors

(1)This section applies to a person who—

(a)is or has been a health service auditor; and

(b)in that capacity was given information.

(2)The person must not disclose the information to anyone else.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(3)However, the person may disclose the information to someone else—

(a)to the extent necessary to perform the person’s functions under or in relation to this Act; or

(b)if the person to whom the information relates consents in writing to the disclosure; or

(c)if the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by another Act or law.

(4)Also, the person may disclose the information to someone else if—

(a)the disclosure is to—

(i)the relevant chief executive; or

(ii)another person authorised in writing by the relevant chief executive to receive the information; and

(b)the purpose of the disclosure under this section is to allow further disclosure of the information under section 160.

64Reports by health service auditors

(1)A health service auditor must prepare and provide a report to the appointer for each health service audit.

(2)The report may include recommendations about—

(a)ways in which the accuracy of performance data and other data provided by a Service or a specialised health service may be improved; or

(b)ways in which the performance of a Service or a specialised health service may be improved; or

(c)whether stated public sector health services should—

(i)continue to be provided by a Service or a specialised health service; or

(ii)be transferred to a Service or other entity; or

(iii)be discontinued.

(3)Subsection (4) applies to a report provided to the chief executive after a health service audit in a Service.

(4)After considering the report, the chief executive may issue a direction to a Service.

(5)The Service must comply with the direction.

(6)Subsection (7) applies to a report provided—

(a)to the chief executive after a health service audit in the department; or

(b)to a health service chief executive after a health service audit in the Service.

(7)After considering the report, the chief executive or health service chief executive may take the action he or she considers appropriate in relation to the matters identified in the report.

s 64 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

65Chief executive may request report from health service chief executive

(1)This section applies if a report is provided to a health service chief executive after a health service audit in a Service.

(2)If requested by the chief executive, the health service chief executive must give a copy of the report to the chief executive.

s 65 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

66Conditions of employment

(1)The conditions of employment for a health service employee, other than for a health executive or a senior health service employee, are governed by—

(a)this Act; and

(b)the Industrial Relations Act 2016; and

(c)the Public Sector Act 2022, including any directive under that Act that applies to the employee; and

(d)an industrial instrument that applies to the employee; and

(e)health employment directives; and

(f)if the employee is appointed on a contract for a fixed term—the employee’s contract.

(2)A health executive’s conditions of employment are governed by—

(a)this Act; and

(b)the Industrial Relations Act 2016; and

(c)the Public Sector Act 2022, including any directive under that Act that applies to the employee; and

(d)health employment directives; and

(e)the health executive’s contract.

(3)A senior health service employee’s conditions of employment are governed by—

(a)this Act; and

(b)the Industrial Relations Act 2016; and

(c)the Public Sector Act 2022, including any directive under that Act that applies to the employee; and

(d)health employment directives; and

(e)an industrial instrument that applies to the employee; and

(f)the employee’s contract.

(4)The chief executive may decide that a particular health service employee’s conditions of employment are to be more favourable than those contained in a health employment directive or an industrial instrument that applies to the employee.

s 66 amd 2013 No. 61 s 89; 2015 No. 7 s 35E; 2016 No. 63 s 1157 sch 6; 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3

67Appointment of health service employees

(1)The chief executive may appoint a person as a health service employee in the department, including as an employee of the department working for a Service that is not a prescribed Service.

(2)A Service may appoint a person as a health executive or a senior health service employee in the Service.

(3)A prescribed Service may appoint a person as any health service employee in the Service.

(4)Appointment as a health service employee may be—

(a)on tenure; or

(b)on contract for a fixed term, including as a health executive or a senior health service employee; or

(c)on a temporary basis; or

(d)on a casual basis; or

(e)for an employee who is a senior health service employee—on contract for an indefinite term.

(5)An appointment under this section may be for full-time or part-time employment.

s 67 amd 2012 No. 9 s 29; 2013 No. 61 s 90; 2015 No. 7 s 35F

68Contracted health service employees other than health executives or senior health service employees

(1)This section applies to a health service employee other than a health executive or a senior health service employee.

(2)A person appointed on a contract for a fixed term must enter into a written contract of employment—

(a)for an employee of the department—with the chief executive; or

(b)for an employee of a prescribed Service—with the health service chief executive.

s 68 amd 2012 No. 9 s 30; 2013 No. 61 s 91

69Health service employees not public service employees

A health service employee is employed under this Act and not under the Public Sector Act 2022.

s 69 amd 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3

69AModification of Industrial Relations Act 2016 for health service employees

The Industrial Relations Act 2016, schedule 4 states the way that Act is modified for Hospital and Health Services prescribed under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, section 20(4) and their employees.

s 69A ins 2012 No. 9 s 31

amd 2016 No. 63 s 1157 sch 6

pt 5 div 2 hdg amd 2013 No. 61 s 92

pt 5 div 2 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2013 No. 61 s 93

70Health executive service continued

The health executive service established under the repealed Act is continued under this Act.

71Purpose of health executive service

The purpose of the health executive service is to promote effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of public sector health services by attracting, developing and retaining a core of mobile, highly skilled health executives.

72Principles of health executive service employment

Employment in the health executive service is to be directed towards ensuring that health executives—

(a)develop a Statewide perspective about the delivery of public sector health services; and

(b)continue their executive development; and

(c)develop their skills through their deployment in Services and the department.

s 72 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

73Composition of health executive service

The health executive service consists of the following—

(a)the health service chief executives;

(b)other persons appointed under section 67 as health executives in Services or the department.

s 73 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

74Basis of employment for health executives

(1)Each person appointed as a health executive must enter into a written contract of employment with the following—

(a)for a health executive employed by a Service (other than the health service chief executive)—the health service chief executive;

(b)for a health executive in the department—the chief executive;

(c)for a health service chief executive—the chair of the board for the Service.

(2)The contract of employment must state—

(a)the term, of not longer than 5 years, of the person’s employment; and

(b)that, if the person’s employment as a health executive continues to the end of the term, a further contract may be entered into under this section; and

(c)the person’s functions; and

(d)that the person must meet any performance criteria stated in the contract; and

(e)the person’s classification level, and the remuneration to which the person is entitled.

(3)A health executive may resign by written notice of resignation given, at least 1 month before the notice is to take effect, to the person with whom the health executive entered into the contract of employment.

(4)A health executive’s appointment and contract of employment may be terminated by written notice given to the health executive at least 1 month before it is to take effect by—

(a)for a health executive employed by a Service (other than the health service chief executive)—the health service chief executive;

(b)for a health executive in the department—the chief executive;

(c)for a health service chief executive—the chair of the board for the Service.

(5)For subsection (4), the termination of the appointment and contract of employment of a health service chief executive is not effective until it is approved by the Minister.

s 74 amd 2012 No. 9 s 32

pt 5 div 2 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2013 No. 61 s 94

74AMeaning of senior health service employee

(1)A senior health service employee is a health service employee employed in a position prescribed by regulation as a senior health service employee position.

(2)Without limiting the matters to which the Minister may have regard in deciding whether to recommend the making of a regulation under subsection (1), the Minister may have regard to the role, responsibilities and functions performed by persons employed in the position.

s 74A ins 2013 No. 61 s 94

amd 2015 No. 7 s 35H

74BBasis of employment for senior health service employees

(1)This section applies to a senior health service employee.

(2)The employee’s contract of employment must be entered into with—

(a)for an employee of the department—the chief executive; or

(b)for an employee of a Service—the health service chief executive.

(3)The employee’s contract of employment must be in writing and state each of the following—

(a)whether the contract is for a fixed term or an indefinite term;

(b)if the contract is for a fixed term—the length of the term;

(c)the employee’s functions;

(d)that the employee must meet any performance criteria stated in the contract;

(e)the employee’s classification level, and the remuneration to which the employee is entitled;

(f)the period of notice of resignation or termination that is required to be given before the notice takes effect.

s 74B ins 2013 No. 61 s 94

amd 2015 No. 7 s 35I

pt 5 div 2 sdiv 3 hdg ins 2013 No. 61 s 94

75Exclusion of certain matters from review under other Acts

(1)An excluded matter, or a matter affecting or relating to an excluded matter, is not an industrial matter for the Industrial Relations Act 2016.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), industrial instruments do not apply to a health executive.

(3)A decision about an excluded matter can not be challenged, appealed against, reviewed, quashed, set aside, or called in question in another way, under the Judicial Review Act 1991.

(4)In this section—

excluded matter means—

(a)a decision to appoint, or not to appoint, a person as a health executive; or

(b)the contract of employment of, or the application of this part or a provision of this part to, a health executive.

s 75 amd 2013 No. 61 s 95; 2015 No. 7 s 35J; 2016 No. 63 s 1157 sch 6

77Redeployment or secondment to lower classification level

(1)A health service employee may be redeployed or seconded at a lower classification level only if the person consents to the redeployment or secondment.

(2)However, subsection (1) does not prevent redeployment or secondment to a lower classification level as a result of disciplinary action against the employee.

78Transfer of health service employees

(1)If a health service employee is transferred, the transfer has effect unless the employee establishes reasonable grounds for refusing the transfer to the satisfaction of the relevant employer.

(2)If the employee refuses the transfer after failing to establish reasonable grounds for refusing the transfer to the relevant employer’s satisfaction, the relevant employer may end the employee’s employment by signed notice given to the employee.

(3)If the employee establishes reasonable grounds to the relevant employer’s satisfaction—

(a)the transfer is cancelled; and

(b)the refusal must not be used to prejudice the employee’s prospects for future promotion or advancement.

(4)Subsection (5) applies to the transfer of a health executive, or another health service employee if the employee is employed on contract.

(5)The transfer has effect despite anything in the contract under which the executive or employee is employed.

s 78 amd 2012 No. 9 s 33; 2013 No. 61 s 97

79Entitlement on ending of particular employment contracts

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a health service employee is employed on contract other than as a health executive or a senior health service employee; and

(b)the contract—

(i)is terminated other than by disciplinary action; or

(ii)expires and is not renewed or replaced by another contract of employment as a health service employee other than as a health executive or a senior health service employee; and

(c)when the employee was first employed under the contract, or an earlier continuous contract of employment as a health service employee other than as a health executive or a senior health service employee, the employee was employed on tenure.

(2)The employee becomes a health service employee on tenure.

(3)The employee is to be employed—

(a)at the classification level at which the employee would have been employed if the employee had continued in employment as a health service employee on tenure; and

(b)on the remuneration to which the employee would have been entitled if the employee had continued in employment as a health service employee on tenure.

s 79 amd 2013 No. 61 s 98

pt 5 div 4 hdg ins 2012 No. 9 s 34

80Departmental health service employees to be employed by Services

(1)This section applies to a person employed in the department who is working for a Service immediately before the prescribed day for that Service.

(2)From the prescribed day, the person is taken to be employed by the Service on the same terms, conditions and entitlements as those applying to the person’s employment in the department immediately before the prescribed day.

(3)Also, the following apply for the person—

(a)the person retains and is entitled to all rights, benefits and entitlements that have accrued to the person because of the person’s previous employment as a health service employee in the department;

(b)the person’s accruing rights, including to superannuation or recreation, sick, long service or other leave are not affected;

(c)continuity of service is not interrupted, except that the person is not entitled to claim the benefit of a right or entitlement more than once in relation to the same period of service;

(d)the employment does not constitute a termination of employment or a retrenchment or redundancy;

(e)the person is not entitled to a payment or other benefit because he or she is no longer employed in the department.

(4)Subject to this section, the chief executive may issue a direction to a person to facilitate the transition of employees from the department to a Service.

(5)A person given a direction must comply with the direction.

(6)If a person employed under subsection (2) was employed in the department under a contract, the person is taken to be employed by the Service under the contract under which the person was employed before the prescribed day.

s 80 prev s 80 om 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pres s 80 ins 2012 No. 9 s 34

amd 2013 No. 61 s 99; 2015 No. 7 s 36 sch 1

80AAppointment to perform functions or do other things not affected by becoming employees of prescribed Service

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a person is employed in the department and is working for a Service before the person becomes an employee of the Service under section 80; and

(b)before the person becomes an employee of the Service the person is appointed to perform a function or to do anything under this Act; and

(c)the function or thing has not been completed immediately before the prescribed day.

(2)The person’s appointment mentioned in subsection (1)(b) is not affected and the function or thing may be completed after the prescribed day.

Example—

A person’s appointment as a clinical reviewer or as a member of an RCA team is not affected by the person becoming an employee of a Service and the person may complete the matter for which he or she was appointed.

s 80A ins 2012 No. 9 s 34

80BMatters and proceedings not affected by persons becoming employees of prescribed Service

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a person is employed in the department and is working for a Service before the person becomes an employee of the Service under section 80; and

(b)before the person becomes an employee of the Service a proceeding is taken by or against the person or anything else is done in relation to the person as an employee of the department; and

(c)the proceeding or other thing has not been completed immediately before the prescribed day.

(2)The proceeding may be continued and completed after the prescribed day by or against the Service instead of the department.

(3)For anything other than a proceeding, the thing may be continued unaffected by the person becoming an employee of the Service.

Examples for subsection (3)—

A recruitment and selection process involving a person employed in the department and working for a Service started before the prescribed day may continue after the prescribed day.

The approval of the annual leave for a person employed in the department and working for a Service before the prescribed day is effective after the prescribed day.

s 80B ins 2012 No. 9 s 34

amd 2013 No. 61 s 101; 2015 No. 7 s 36 sch 1

80CMatters and proceedings not affected by persons becoming senior health service employees in Service

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a person appointed as a senior health service employee in a Service was, immediately before the appointment, employed in the department; and

(b)before the person was appointed in the Service, a proceeding was taken by or against the person or anything else was done in relation to the person as an employee of the department; and

(c)the proceeding or other thing had not been completed immediately before the person was appointed in the Service.

(2)The proceeding may be continued and completed after the day the person becomes an employee in the Service by or against the Service instead of the department.

(3)For anything other than a proceeding, the thing may be continued unaffected by the person becoming an employee of the Service.

Examples for subsection (3)—

A recruitment and selection process involving a person employed in the department, started before the day the person becomes an employee in the Service, may continue after the day.

The approval of the annual leave for a person employed in the department before the day the person becomes an employee in the Service is effective after that day.

s 80C ins 2013 No. 61 s 102

amd 2015 No. 7 s 35L

80DDivision does not limit making of particular regulations

To remove any doubt, it is declared that this division does not prevent the revocation of the prescription of a Service under section 20(4).

s 80D ins 2019 No. 38 s 68B

81Purpose of division

The purpose of this division is to improve the safety and quality of health services by providing protections for quality assurance committees established under this division.

82Establishment of quality assurance committees

(1)Any of the following may establish a quality assurance committee—

(a)for a matter relating to its functions—

(i)a Service; or

(ii)a professional association, society, college or other entity whose functions relate to the provision of health services or to the providers of health services;

(b)the chief executive for a matter relating to a Service or the department;

(c)the licensee of a private health facility for a matter relating to health services provided in its facility.

(2)Two or more of the bodies mentioned in subsection (1) may jointly establish a single committee.

(3)However, an entity must not establish a committee unless satisfied—

(a)if the committee is established by an entity other than an individual—that the committee is established under a resolution or in accordance with the rules or official procedures of the entity; and

(b)that the committee’s functions include the assessment and evaluation of the quality of health services, the reporting and making of recommendations concerning those services and monitoring the implementation of its recommendations; and

(c)that the committee comprises individuals with training and experience appropriate to the services to be assessed and evaluated by the committee; and

(d)that the exercise of the committee’s functions would benefit from the immunities and protections afforded by this division.

(4)An entity mentioned in subsection (1)(a) and (c) must notify the chief executive in the approved form of the establishment of the committee under this section.

(5)For a committee established by the chief executive, the chief executive must keep a record of its establishment in the approved form.

(6)The chief executive must establish and maintain a register of committees established under this section.

(7)The chief executive must make the register available for inspection by members of the public on the department’s website.

s 82 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

83Restrictions on committees

(1)A committee is to have regard to the rules of natural justice in so far as they are relevant to the functions of a committee.

(2)A report furnished, or information made available, by a committee, must not disclose the identity of an individual who is a provider or recipient of health services unless the individual has consented in writing to that disclosure.

(3)However, a report may identify a provider in the copy of the report given to the provider to enable the provider to comment on the report.

84Disclosure of information

(1)A person who is or was a member of a committee must not disclose to someone else information acquired by the person as a member of the committee, other than—

(a)for the purpose of exercising the functions of a member of the committee; or

(b)to members of another committee if the information is relevant to the functions of the other committee; or

(c)to a prescribed patient safety entity under section 85; or

(ca)to the chief executive under section 85A; or

(d)if the person is a registered health practitioner—for notifying the health ombudsman about information in relation to a reasonable belief of the person that another registered health practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes public risk notifiable conduct; or

(e)to comply with a requirement of an inspector made of the person under this Act, if the requirement relates to an offence under this division; or

(f)under a regulation made under section 91.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)Also, a person who is or was a relevant person for a committee must not disclose to someone else information acquired by the person as a relevant person for the committee, other than—

(a)for the purpose of helping the committee to perform its functions; or

(b)to comply with a requirement of an inspector made of the person under this Act, if the requirement relates to an offence under this division.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

s 84 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2014 No. 65 s 21; 2024 No. 7 s 9

85Giving of reports and documents to patient safety entity

(1)A committee may give a copy of a report or other document to a prescribed patient safety entity for an authorised purpose for the entity.

(2)A person who performs functions for the entity—

(a)must not give a copy of the report or other document to anyone else; and

(b)must not disclose any information contained in the copy of the report or other document to anyone else other than for the authorised purpose for which the copy of the report or document was given; and

(c)must not use the copy of the report or document, other than for the authorised purpose for which the copy of the report or document was given.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(3)In this section—

authorised purpose, for a prescribed patient safety entity, means a purpose prescribed under a regulation for the entity that relates to the entity’s responsibilities.

patient safety entity means an entity whose responsibilities include the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of patient safety initiatives and programs.

prescribed patient safety entity means a patient safety entity prescribed under a regulation.

85ADisclosure to prevent serious risk of harm

(1)This section applies if a committee forms a reasonable belief that a health professional, in the practice of the health professional’s profession, poses a serious risk of harm to a person because of the health professional’s health, conduct or performance.

(2)The committee must disclose to the health professional’s chief executive—

(a)the information that forms the basis of the reasonable belief; and

(b)the identity of the health professional.

(3)Subsection (2)(b) applies despite section 83(2).

(4)The chief executive must not disclose to another person information obtained under subsection (2), other than—

(a)if the chief executive is the chief executive of the department or a Service—

(i)to the extent necessary to allow the chief executive to perform the chief executive’s functions under this Act or the Public Sector Act 2022; or

(ii)for the purposes of making, or enabling another person to make, a notification about the health professional under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland), part 8, division 2; or

(b)if the chief executive is the chief executive of a private health facility—

(i)to the extent necessary to allow the chief executive to perform the chief executive’s functions relating to the management of the facility; or

(ii)for the purposes of making, or enabling another person to make, a notification about the health professional under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland), part 8, division 2.

(5)In this section—

chief executive, of a health professional, means—

(a)if the health professional is appointed as a health service employee or public service officer in the department and is working for a Service—the chief executive of the Service; or

(b)if the health professional is appointed as a health service employee in a Service—the chief executive of the Service; or

(c)if the health professional provides services for a Service under a contract for services—the chief executive of the Service; or

(d)if the health professional is employed in, or provides services under a contract for services for, a private health facility—the licensee of the facility; or

(e)otherwise—the chief executive of the department.

s 85A ins 2024 No. 7 s 10

amd 2024 No. 51 s 2B

86Information about excluded notifiable conduct

(1)This section applies for the purpose of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland), sections 141(4)(d) and 141C(2)(d).

(2)Subsection (3) applies if—

(a)a person is or was a member of a committee; and

(b)the person is a registered health practitioner; and

(c)the person forms a reasonable belief that another registered health practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes excluded notifiable conduct; and

(d)the information that forms the basis of the reasonable belief was acquired while the person was exercising functions as a member of the committee.

(3)The person must not disclose the information that forms the basis of the reasonable belief.

s 86 amd 2019 No. 3 s 30

87Protection for documents and information

(1)This section applies to—

(a)a report or other document created by or for a committee; or

(b)information contained in a report or other document created by or for a committee; or

(c)information acquired by a person as a member of the committee or as a relevant person for the committee.

(2)The document or information—

(a)can not be accessed under any order, whether of a judicial or administrative nature; and

(b)is not admissible in any proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence under this division.

(3)A person must not, and can not be compelled to, produce the document or information, or give evidence relating to the document or information—

(a)in any proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence under this division; or

(b)in compliance with a requirement under an Act or legal process.

(4)In this section—

order includes a direction or other process.

proceeding includes—

(a)a civil proceeding; or

(b)a criminal proceeding; or

(c)a proceeding under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

s 87 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 35, 54 sch; 2013 No. 13 s 92

88Protection from liability

(1)A person who is or was a member of a committee, or relevant person for a committee, is not civilly liable for an act done, or omission made, honestly and without negligence under this division.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), if the act or omission involves giving information—

(a)in a proceeding for defamation, the person has a defence of absolute privilege for publishing the information; and

(b)if the person would otherwise be required to maintain confidentiality about the information given under an Act, oath, or rule of law or practice, the person—

(i)does not contravene the Act, oath, or rule of law or practice by giving the information; and

(ii)is not liable to disciplinary action for giving the information.

(3)If a person who is or was a member of a committee, or a relevant person for a committee, incurs costs in defending proceedings relating to a liability against which the person is protected under this section, the person must be indemnified by—

(a)if the chief executive established the committee—the State; or

(b)if a Service established the committee—the Service; or

(c)if a professional association, society, college or other entity established the committee—the entity that established the committee; or

(d)if the licensee of a private health facility established the committee—the licensee of the private health facility.

(4)For subsection (3), if the committee was established jointly by the entities mentioned in subsection (3)(a) to (d), the person must be indemnified jointly by the entities responsible for indemnifying the person.

s 88 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

89Giving of information protected

(1)This section applies to a person who honestly and on reasonable grounds gives information to a committee, or a relevant person for a committee, for the committee’s functions.

(2)The person is not subject to any liability for giving the information and no action, claim or demand may be taken or made of or against the person for giving the information.

(3)Also, merely because the person gives the information, the person can not be held to have—

(a)breached any code of professional etiquette or ethics; or

(b)departed from accepted standards of professional conduct.

(4)Without limiting subsections (2) and (3)—

(a)in a proceeding for defamation, the person has a defence of absolute privilege for publishing the information; and

(b)if the person would otherwise be required to maintain confidentiality about the information under an Act, oath, or rule of law or practice, the person—

(i)does not contravene the Act, oath, or rule of law or practice by giving the information; and

(ii)is not liable to disciplinary action for giving the information.

90Information provider can not be compelled to give particular information in evidence

A person can not be compelled to divulge or communicate in a proceeding, or in compliance with a requirement under an Act or legal process, any of the following—

(a)whether or not the person gave information to a committee or a relevant person for a committee;

(b)what information the person gave to a committee or a relevant person for a committee;

(c)a document given by the person to a committee or a relevant person for a committee that was created by the person or another person for the committee;

(d)information the person was given, or questions the person was asked, by a committee or a relevant person for a committee.

91Further responsibilities of committees

A regulation may make provision for—

(a)the procedure of committees and the manner in which they are to exercise their functions; and

(b)permitting or requiring committees to make specified information available to the public; and

(c)permitting or requiring committees to give reports or stated information concerning their activities to the Minister, the chief executive or another entity.

92Effect of provisions of division

If there is an inconsistency between the provisions of this division and a provision of any other Act or law, the provisions of this division prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

93Purpose of div 2

The purpose of this division is to facilitate the use of root cause analysis as a quality improvement technique to assess and respond to reportable events that happen while health services are being provided.

94Definitions for div 2

In this division—

blameworthy act means any of the following—

(a)an intentionally unsafe act;

(b)deliberate patient abuse;

(c)conduct that constitutes a criminal offence.

chain of events document ...

s 94 def chain of events document om 2014 No. 65 s 22 (1)

commissioning authority see section 98.

coroner see the Coroners Act 2003, schedule 2.

health service facility means—

(a)a public sector health service facility; or

(b)a private health facility; or

(c)a prescribed health service facility.

s 94 def health service facility amd 2014 No. 65 s 22 (3)

prescribed health service facility means a facility—

(a)at which a health service is provided; and

(b)that is prescribed by regulation as a prescribed health service facility.

s 94 def prescribed health service facility ins 2014 No. 65 s 22 (2)

RCA, of a reportable event, see section 95.

RCA report see section 100(1).

RCA team means a group of persons appointed under section 98.

relevant health service, for a reportable event, means the health service during the provision of which the reportable event happened.

reportable event—

(a)generally—means an event prescribed under a regulation that happens while a health service is being provided; or

(b)in relation to an RCA report—means the reportable event to which the report relates.

s 94 def reportable event amd 2014 No. 65 s 22 (4)

root cause analysis, of a reportable event, see section 95.

s 94 def root cause analysis amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

95Meaning of root cause analysis

(1)

Root cause analysis or RCA, of a reportable event, means a systematic process of analysis under which—

(a)factors that contributed to the happening of the event may be identified; and

(b)remedial measures that could be implemented to prevent a recurrence of a similar event may be identified.

(2)However, a root cause analysis or RCA, of a reportable event, does not include—

(a)investigating the professional competence of a person in relation to the event; or

(b)finding out who is to blame for the happening of the event.

96When is a health service provided

For this division, a health service is taken to be provided to a person if—

(a)the service is provided to the person in a health service facility; or

(b)the service is provided to the person by a health professional at another place; or

(c)the person is undertaking care or treatment while residing in the community.

97Guiding principles for conduct of RCA of reportable event

The principles intended to guide the conduct of an RCA of a reportable event are the following—

(a)reporting and acknowledging errors happening while a health service is being provided is encouraged if people do not fear blame or reprisal;

(b)people involved in providing health services should be accountable for their actions;

(c)the focus of the RCA should be on identifying and improving the policies, procedures or practices relating to the provision of the health service that contributed to the happening of the event, rather than on the conduct of individuals;

(d)participation in the RCA should be voluntary;

(e)the benefits of conducting the RCA will be maximised—

(i)in an environment oriented towards learning from analysing the event; and

(ii)if the RCA is conducted in a timely way;

(f)teamwork, good communication and sharing of information by people involved in providing health services should be fostered.

98Appointment of RCA team

Each of the following persons (a commissioning authority) may appoint persons to be members of an RCA team to conduct an RCA of a reportable event—

(a)if the event happens while a public sector health service is being provided by a Service—the health service chief executive;

(b)if the event happens while a public sector health service is being provided by the department—the chief executive;

(c)if the event happens while a health service is being provided by a private health facility or prescribed health service facility—the individual who has the day-to-day management of the facility or the individual who has overall management responsibility for the facility.

s 98 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2014 No. 65 s 23

99Requirements for appointment

(1)Before appointing persons to be members of an RCA team to conduct an RCA of a reportable event, the commissioning authority proposing to make the appointment must be satisfied that—

(a)the persons—

(i)have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to conduct an RCA of the event, having regard to the nature of the event; and

(ii)were not directly involved in providing the relevant health service; and

(b)the potential benefit in disclosing relevant information is outweighed by the potential benefit of restricting disclosure of the information under subdivision 5; and

(c)the conduct of an RCA of the event would be helped by the provision of immunities and protections provided to persons under subdivision 6.

(2)In this section—

relevant information means information that will be compiled by the proposed RCA team in the conduct of an RCA of the reportable event.

100RCA team’s report

(1)An RCA team must, as soon as practicable after conducting an RCA of a reportable event, prepare a report (the RCA report) stating the following—

(a)a description of the event;

(b)a statement of the factors the RCA team considers contributed to the happening of the event;

(c)any recommendations about changes or improvements in a policy, procedure or practice relating to the provision of health services, to reduce the likelihood of, or prevent, the same type of event happening again.

(2)Also, the RCA report may include a summary, or pictorial representation, of the chain of events identified by the RCA team as having led to the reportable event happening.

(3)The RCA report must not contain the name or address of—

(a)a person involved in providing the relevant health service; or

(b)the person who received the relevant health service; or

(c)a member of the RCA team.

s 100 amd 2014 No. 65 s 24

101Reporting to commissioning authority

The RCA team must, as soon as practicable after preparing the RCA report, give the report to the commissioning authority that appointed the RCA team members.

s 101 amd 2014 No. 65 s 25

102Stopping conduct of RCA of reportable event—RCA team

(1)This section applies if, while conducting an RCA of a reportable event, the RCA team conducting the RCA reasonably believes—

(a)the event involves a blameworthy act; or

(b)the capacity of a person who was directly involved in providing the relevant health service to safely and effectively provide the service was impaired by alcohol consumed, or a drug taken, by the person.

(2)This section also applies if a member of the RCA team conducting the RCA of a reportable event, who is a registered health practitioner—

(a)reasonably believes the event involves behaviour of a registered health practitioner that constitutes public risk notifiable conduct; and

(b)notifies the health ombudsman about the conduct.

(3)The RCA team must—

(a)stop conducting the RCA; and

(b)give written notice to the commissioning authority that appointed the RCA team members that the RCA team has stopped conducting the RCA.

(4)For subsection (3)(b), the notice must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)state the reasons the RCA team stopped conducting the RCA.

s 102 amd 2014 No. 65 s 26

103Stopping conduct of RCA of reportable event—commissioning authority

(1)This section applies if—

(a)persons have been appointed to be members of an RCA team to conduct an RCA of a reportable event; and

(b)the commissioning authority that appointed the RCA team members—

(i)receives information, other than in a notice under section 102(3)(b), that leads the commissioning authority to reasonably believe—

(A)the event involves a blameworthy act; or

(B)the capacity of a person who was directly involved in providing the relevant health service to safely and effectively provide the service was impaired by alcohol consumed, or a drug taken, by the person; or

(ii)becomes aware that a relevant entity has started an investigation or assessment of, or enquiry into, the event; or

(iii)later comes to the view that the event the basis of the appointment is not a reportable event.

(2)If subsection (1)(b)(i) or (iii) applies, the commissioning authority must, by written notice given to the RCA team, direct it to stop conducting the RCA.

(3)If subsection (1)(b)(ii) applies, the commissioning authority may, by written notice given to the RCA team, direct it to stop conducting the RCA.

(4)For subsection (2) or (3), the notice given to the RCA team must be in the approved form.

(5)Before acting under subsection (3), the commissioning authority may consult with any relevant entity.

(6)In this section—

relevant entity means—

(a)the health ombudsman; or

(b)a coroner; or

(c)a board established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law; or

(d)the commissioner of the police service; or

(e)another entity that has the power under an Act of the State, the Commonwealth or another State to deal with the event.

s 103 amd 2013 No. 13 s 93; 2013 No. 36 s 331 sch 1; 2014 No. 65 s 27

104Definition for sdiv 5

In this subdivision—

information includes a document.

105Disclosure of information—RCA team member or relevant person

(1)A person who is or was a member of an RCA team must not disclose to someone else information acquired by the person as a member of the RCA team, other than for the purpose (an authorised purpose) of—

(a)the RCA team conducting an RCA of a reportable event; or

(b)the RCA team preparing an RCA report or safety and quality report; or

(c)the RCA team giving the commissioning authority that appointed the RCA team members—

(i)an RCA report under section 101; or

(ii)a notice under section 102; or

(iii)a safety and quality report under section 106; or

(d)the RCA team complying with a requirement of an inspector made of the RCA team under this Act, if the requirement relates to an offence under this division; or

(e)if the person is a registered health practitioner—notifying the health ombudsman about information in relation to a reasonable belief of the person that another registered health practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes public risk notifiable conduct.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)Also, a person who is or was a relevant person for an RCA team must not disclose to someone else information acquired by the person as a relevant person for the RCA team, other than for an authorised purpose.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(3)In this section—

information includes—

(a)the identity of a member of the RCA team; and

(b)information from which a member of the RCA team could be identified.

s 105 amd 2014 No. 65 s 28

106Disclosure of information—commissioning authority or relevant person

(1)A person who is or was a commissioning authority must not disclose to someone else information contained in an RCA report, or give someone else a copy of an RCA report, received by the person under section 101, other than—

(a)as required or permitted under sections 108 to 115; or

(b)as permitted under subsection (2).

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)A commissioning authority may give a safety and quality report prepared by, or for, the commissioning authority to—

(a)an individual involved in providing a health service to which the report relates; or

(b)an entity with responsibilities for the management of patient safety initiatives and programs for the relevant health service.

(3)A person who is or was a commissioning authority must not disclose to someone else—

(a)the identity of a member of an RCA team appointed by the commissioning authority; or

(b)information from which a member of the RCA team could be identified.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(4)Subsections (1) and (3) do not apply to—

(a)the disclosure of information by a commissioning authority that is necessary or incidental to the exercise by the commissioning authority of its powers under this division; or

(b)the disclosure of information by a person in compliance with a requirement of an inspector made of the person under this Act, if the requirement relates to an offence under this division.

(5)A person who is or was a relevant person for a commissioning authority must not disclose to someone else information acquired by the person as a relevant person for the commissioning authority.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(6)Subsection (5) does not apply to—

(a)the disclosure of information by a relevant person for a commissioning authority for the purpose of helping the commissioning authority exercise its powers under this division; or

(b)the disclosure of information by a person in compliance with a requirement of an inspector made of the person under this Act, if the requirement relates to an offence under this division.

(7)A person who is or was a commissioning authority must not disclose to someone else information contained in a notice given to the person under section 102(3)(b), or give someone else a copy of the notice.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(8)Subsection (7) does not apply to the disclosure of information by a person if the disclosure is—

(a)required under section 113(7); or

(b)necessary or incidental to the person taking, or deciding to take, disciplinary, investigative or other action in relation to the reportable event the subject of the information.

(9)This section does not authorise the attachment of a copy of an RCA report to a safety and quality report.

(10)In this section—

safety and quality report means a report about the safety and quality of the health service to which an RCA report relates that is based on information contained in the RCA report.

s 106 amd 2014 No. 65 s 29

107Information about excluded notifiable conduct

(1)This section applies for the purpose of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland), sections 141(4)(d) and 141C(2)(d).

(2)An RCA team is an approved body under this Act.

(3)Subsection (4) applies if—

(a)a person is or was a member of an RCA team; and

(b)the person is a registered health practitioner; and

(c)the person forms a reasonable belief that another registered health practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes excluded notifiable conduct; and

(d)the information that forms the basis of the reasonable belief was acquired while the person was exercising functions as a member of the RCA team.

(4)The person must not disclose the information that forms the basis of the reasonable belief.

s 107 amd 2019 No. 3 s 31

108Release of information to health ombudsman

(1)A commissioning authority must, as soon as practicable after receiving an RCA report under section 101, give the health ombudsman—

(a)a copy of the report; and

(b)details of the name and address of the entity responsible for providing the relevant health service.

(2)The commissioning authority need not comply with subsection (1) if there is an agreement in force under section 110 relating to the report and details.

s 108 amd 2013 No. 36 s 331 sch 1

109Release of information to chief health officer

(1)This section applies if a commissioning authority receives an RCA report under section 101 and the reportable event happened at a private health facility.

(2)The commissioning authority must, as soon as practicable after receiving the report, give the following to the chief health officer—

(a)a copy of the report;

(b)details of the name and address of the private health facility.

110Release of information by chief health officer to health ombudsman

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a commissioning authority complies with section 109(2); and

(b)the authority has a written agreement with the chief health officer under which the chief health officer is authorised to give a copy of the RCA report and details mentioned in the subsection to the health ombudsman.

(2)The chief health officer must, as soon as practicable after receiving the RCA report, give a copy of the report and details to the health ombudsman.

s 110 amd 2013 No. 36 s 331 sch 1

111Release of information to chief psychiatrist

(1)This section applies if a commissioning authority receives an RCA report under section 101 and the relevant health service for the reportable event is an authorised mental health service.

(2)The commissioning authority must, as soon as practicable after receiving the report, give the following to the chief psychiatrist—

(a)a copy of the report;

(b)details of the name and address of the authorised mental health service.

(3)In this section—

authorised mental health service see the Mental Health Act 2016, schedule 3.

s 111 amd 2016 No. 5 s 923 sch 4

112Giving of copy of RCA report—patient safety entity

(1)This section applies if the commissioning authority is—

(a)a health service chief executive; or

(b)the chief executive.

(2)The commissioning authority must give a copy of each RCA report received by the commissioning authority under section 101 to a prescribed patient safety entity for an authorised purpose for the entity.

(3)At the time of giving a copy of an RCA report to an entity under subsection (2), the commissioning authority must also give the entity—

(a)details of the reportable event; and

(b)details of the name and address of the entity responsible for providing the relevant health service.

(4)A person who performs functions for the entity—

(a)must not give a copy of the report to anyone else; and

(b)must not disclose any information contained in the copy of the report, or information mentioned in subsection (3), to anyone else; and

(c)must not use the copy of the report, and the information mentioned in subsection (3), other than for the authorised purpose for which the copy of the report was given.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(4A)However, a person who performs functions for the entity may disclose the following information to another person for the authorised purpose for which the copy of the report was given—

(a)information contained in the copy of the report, including, for example, recommendations mentioned in section 100(1)(c);

(b)information mentioned in subsection (3)(a) and (b).

Example of disclosing information mentioned in subsection (4A)—

giving another person access, for the authorised purpose, to information mentioned in the subsection by including the information in an information system

(5)Also, if the entity is the administrative unit of the department responsible for coordinating improvements in the safety and quality of health services, a person who performs functions for the entity may give a copy of the report, or information contained in the copy of the report, to another prescribed patient safety entity that is a quality assurance committee for an authorised purpose of the other entity.

(6)An authorised purpose mentioned in subsection (4)(c) or (4A) does not include the disclosure of information contained in the copy of the RCA report, or information mentioned in subsection (3), that may lead to the identification of—

(a)a person involved in providing the relevant health service; or

(b)the person who received the relevant health service.

(7)In this section—

authorised purpose, for a prescribed patient safety entity, means a purpose prescribed under a regulation for the entity that relates to the entity’s responsibilities.

patient safety entity means an entity whose responsibilities include the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of patient safety initiatives and programs for a health service.

prescribed patient safety entity means a patient safety entity prescribed under a regulation for a relevant health service.

s 112 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2014 No. 65 s 30; 2020 No. 31 s 16; 2024 No. 7 s 11

113Giving of copy of RCA report etc.—investigation under the Coroners Act 2003

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a coroner is investigating the death of a person; and

(b)the death is a reportable event that happened while a health service was being provided.

(2)This section also applies if—

(a)a coroner is investigating the death of a person; and

(b)the coroner considers that a reportable event that happened while a health service was being provided to the person may be relevant to the investigation; and

(c)the reportable event is not the death.

(3)If the coroner, or a police officer helping the coroner to investigate the death, asks a commissioning authority for the relevant health service whether an RCA team has conducted or is conducting an RCA of the reportable event, the commissioning authority must respond to the query as soon as practicable.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(4)Subsection (5) applies if—

(a)an RCA of the reportable event has been conducted by an RCA team; and

(b)an RCA report relating to the event has been given, under section 101, to the commissioning authority that appointed the RCA team members; and

(c)the commissioning authority has, under subsection (3), received a query from the coroner or a police officer helping the coroner to investigate the death.

(5)The commissioning authority must—

(a)if the commissioning authority received the report before receiving the query under subsection (3)—give a copy of the report to the coroner or police officer as soon as practicable after receiving the query; or

(b)if the commissioning authority had not received the report before receiving the query under subsection (3)—give a copy of the report to the coroner or police officer as soon as practicable after receiving the report.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(6)Subsection (7) applies if—

(a)an RCA has been started by an RCA team in relation to the reportable event; and

(b)the RCA team has, under section 102(3) or 103(2) or (3), stopped conducting the RCA; and

(c)the commissioning authority has, under subsection (3), received a query from the coroner or a police officer helping the coroner to investigate the death.

(7)The commissioning authority must—

(a)if the RCA team stopped conducting the RCA before the commissioning authority received the query under subsection (3)—give the coroner or police officer a stop notice as soon as practicable after receiving the query; or

(b)if the RCA team stops conducting the RCA after the commissioning authority received the query under subsection (3)—give the coroner or police officer a stop notice as soon as practicable after the RCA team stops conducting the RCA.

(8)In this section—

stop notice means a written notice stating—

(a)if the RCA team stopped conducting the RCA under section 102(3)—

(i)that fact; and

(ii)the reasons for stopping; or

(b)if the RCA team stopped conducting the RCA because of a direction given by the commissioning authority under section 103(2) or (3)—

(i)that fact; and

(ii)the reasons for giving the direction.

s 113 amd 2014 No. 65 s 31

114Giving of information to Minister or chief executive

(1)The Minister or chief executive may, in relation to an RCA of a reportable event, ask a commissioning authority—

(a)whether an RCA report has been received by the authority under section 101; and

(b)if an RCA report has been received by the authority under section 101—for a copy of the report.

(2)The authority must comply with the request as soon as practicable.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

115Giving of copy of, or information contained in, RCA report—person who has sufficient personal or professional interest

A commissioning authority may give a copy of an RCA report received by the commissioning authority under section 101, or information contained in the report, to a person who the commissioning authority reasonably believes has a sufficient personal or professional interest in the reportable event.

116Protection from liability

(1)A person who is or was a member of an RCA team, or relevant person for an RCA team, is not civilly liable for an act done, or omission made, honestly and without negligence under this division.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), if the act or omission involves giving information—

(a)in a proceeding for defamation, the person has a defence of absolute privilege for publishing the information; and

(b)if the person would otherwise be required to maintain confidentiality about the information given under an Act, oath, or rule of law or practice, the person—

(i)does not contravene the Act, oath, or rule of law or practice by giving the information; and

(ii)is not liable to disciplinary action for giving the information.

(3)If a person who is or was a member of an RCA team, or relevant person for an RCA team, incurs costs in defending proceedings relating to a liability against which the person is protected under this section, the person must be indemnified by—

(a)if the chief executive appointed the RCA team members—the State; or

(b)if a health service chief executive appointed the RCA team members—the Service; or

(c)if the individual who has the day-to-day management of a private health facility or the individual who has overall management responsibility for the facility appointed the RCA team members—the licensee of the private health facility; or

(d)if the individual who has the day-to-day management of a prescribed health service facility or the individual who has overall management responsibility for the facility appointed the RCA team members—the person prescribed by regulation for the facility for this section.

s 116 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2014 No. 65 s 32

117Giving of information protected

(1)This section applies to a person who honestly and on reasonable grounds gives information to an RCA team, or a relevant person for an RCA team, for the RCA team’s conduct of an RCA of a reportable event.

(2)The person is not subject to any liability for giving the information and no action, claim or demand may be taken or made of or against the person for giving the information.

(3)Also, merely because the person gives the information, the person can not be held to have—

(a)breached any code of professional etiquette or ethics; or

(b)departed from accepted standards of professional conduct.

(4)Without limiting subsections (2) and (3)—

(a)in a proceeding for defamation, the person has a defence of absolute privilege for publishing the information; and

(b)if the person would otherwise be required to maintain confidentiality about the information under an Act, oath, or rule of law or practice, the person—

(i)does not contravene the Act, oath, or rule of law or practice by giving the information; and

(ii)is not liable to disciplinary action for giving the information.

118Information provider can not be compelled to give particular information in evidence

A person can not be compelled to divulge or communicate in a proceeding, or in compliance with a requirement under an Act or legal process, any of the following—

(a)whether or not the person gave information to an RCA team, or a relevant person for an RCA team, for its conduct of an RCA of a reportable event;

(b)what information the person gave to an RCA team, or a relevant person for an RCA team, for its conduct of an RCA of a reportable event;

(c)a document given by the person to an RCA team, or a relevant person for an RCA team, that was created by the person or another person for the conduct of an RCA of a reportable event;

(d)information the person was given, or questions the person was asked, by an RCA team, or a relevant person for an RCA team, during the conduct of an RCA of a reportable event.

119Protection for documents and information

(1)This section applies to—

(a)an RCA report or other document created by or for an RCA team; or

(b)information contained in an RCA report or other document created by or for an RCA team; or

(c)information acquired by the following persons as—

(i)a member of an RCA team;

(ii)a relevant person for an RCA team;

(iii)a commissioning authority;

(iv)a relevant person for a commissioning authority.

(2)The document or information—

(a)can not be accessed under any order, whether of a judicial or administrative nature; and

(b)is not admissible in any proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence under this division.

(3)A person must not, and can not be compelled to, produce the document or information, or give evidence relating to the document or information—

(a)in any proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence under this division; or

(b)in compliance with a requirement under an Act or legal process.

(4)However, a copy of an RCA report given to a coroner under section 113 may be admitted in evidence by a coroner in an inquest under the Coroners Act 2003 into the death of a person—

(a)if section 113(1) applies—if the reportable event is the death; or

(b)if section 113(2) applies—if the reportable event happened while a health service was being provided to the person.

(5)In this section—

order includes a direction or other process.

proceeding includes—

(a)a civil proceeding; or

(b)a criminal proceeding; or

(c)a proceeding under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

s 119 amd 2012 No. 9 s 36; 2013 No. 13 s 94; 2014 No. 65 s 33

120Reprisal and grounds for reprisals

(1)A person must not cause, or attempt or conspire to cause, detriment to another person because, or in the belief that, anybody has provided, or may provide, assistance to an RCA team in its conduct of an RCA of a reportable event.

(2)An attempt to cause detriment includes an attempt to induce a person to cause detriment.

(3)A contravention of subsection (1) is a reprisal or the taking of a reprisal.

(4)A ground mentioned in subsection (1) as the ground for a reprisal is the unlawful ground for the reprisal.

(5)For the contravention to happen, it is sufficient if the unlawful ground is a substantial ground for the act or omission that is the reprisal, even if there is another ground for the act or omission.

121Offence for taking reprisal

(1)A person who takes a reprisal commits an offence.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment.

(2)The offence is a misdemeanour.

122Damages entitlement for reprisal

(1)A reprisal is a tort and a person who takes a reprisal is liable in damages to any person who suffers detriment as a result.

(2)Any appropriate remedy that may be granted by a court for a tort may be granted by a court for the taking of a reprisal.

(3)If the claim for damages goes to trial in the Supreme Court or the District Court, it must be decided by a judge sitting without a jury.

123Application of provisions of this division

(1)If a commissioning authority acts or purports to act under section 98 and it transpires the event the basis of the action is not a reportable event, the provisions of this division apply as if the event were a reportable event.

(2)If there is an inconsistency between the provisions of this division and a provision of any other Act or law, the provisions of this division prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

124Functions of clinical reviewers

The functions of a clinical reviewer are to conduct a clinical review and to provide expert clinical advice to the following—

(a)the chief executive or a health service chief executive;

(b)a person or entity whose role includes maintaining and improving the safety and quality of public sector health services;

(c)a health service investigator.

s 124 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

125Appointment of clinical reviewers

(1)The chief executive (the appointer) may, in writing, appoint a person as a clinical reviewer to undertake a review under this division in the department or a Service.

(2)A health service chief executive (also the appointer) may, in writing, appoint a person as a clinical reviewer to undertake a review under this division in the Service.

(3)However, the appointer may appoint a person as a clinical reviewer only if the appointer is satisfied the person is qualified for appointment because the person has the necessary expertise or experience.

s 125 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

126Appointment conditions and limit on powers

(1)A clinical reviewer holds office on any conditions stated in—

(a)the reviewer’s instrument of appointment; or

(b)a signed notice given to the reviewer; or

(c)a regulation.

(2)The instrument of appointment, a signed notice given to the reviewer or a regulation may limit the reviewer’s powers.

(3)In this section—

signed notice means a notice signed by the appointer.

127When office ends

(1)The office of a person as a clinical reviewer ends if any of the following happens—

(a)the term of office stated in a condition of office ends;

(b)under another condition of office, the office ends;

(c)the reviewer’s resignation under section 128 takes effect.

(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the ways the office of a person as a reviewer ends.

(3)In this section—

condition of office means a condition under which the reviewer holds office.

128Resignation

(1)A clinical reviewer may resign by signed notice given to the appointer.

(2)However, if holding office as a reviewer is a condition of the reviewer holding another office, the reviewer may not resign as a reviewer without resigning from the other office.

129Powers of clinical reviewers

(1)A clinical reviewer may enter a public sector health service facility at any time the facility is open for business or otherwise open for entry.

(2)A clinical reviewer may, in the exercise of the reviewer’s functions, ask an employee of the department or a Service to give to the reviewer a document, including a document containing confidential information, that—

(a)is relevant to the reviewer’s functions; and

(b)is in the possession or control of the employee.

(3)The employee must comply with the request.

(4)If requested by the employee, the clinical reviewer must produce the reviewer’s instrument of appointment to the employee.

(5)The clinical reviewer may make copies of, and take extracts from, the document.

(6)In this section—

confidential information means any information that—

(a)is about a person who is receiving or has received a public sector health service; and

(b)could identify the person.

s 129 amd 2012 No. 9 s 37

130Giving clinical reviewer false or misleading information

(1)A person must not, in relation to a clinical review under this division, give a clinical reviewer information, or a document containing information, that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1) applies to information or a document given in relation to a review under this division whether or not the information or document was given in response to a specific power under this division.

131Obstructing clinical reviewer

(1)A person must not obstruct a clinical reviewer exercising a power unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)If a person has obstructed a clinical reviewer and the reviewer decides to proceed with the exercise of the power, the reviewer must warn the person that—

(a)it is an offence to cause an obstruction unless the person has a reasonable excuse; and

(b)the reviewer considers the person’s conduct an obstruction.

(3)In this section—

obstruct includes assault, hinder, resist, attempt to obstruct and threaten to obstruct.

132Duty of confidentiality of clinical reviewers

(1)This section applies to a person who—

(a)is or has been a clinical reviewer; and

(b)in that capacity was given information.

(2)The person must not disclose the information to anyone else.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(3)However, the person may disclose the information to someone else—

(a)to the extent necessary to perform the person’s functions under or in relation to this Act; or

(b)if the person to whom the information relates consents in writing to the disclosure.

(4)Also, the person may disclose the information to someone else if—

(a)the disclosure is to—

(i)the relevant chief executive; or

(ii)another person authorised in writing by the relevant chief executive to receive the information; and

(b)the purpose of the disclosure under this section is to allow further disclosure of the information under section 160.

s 132 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

133Disclosure to person under Coroners Act 2003

Section 132 does not apply to the disclosure of information to a person who requires the information to perform a function under the Coroners Act 2003, other than for the preparation of an annual report.

134Stopping clinical review

(1)This section does not apply to a clinical review undertaken to provide clinical advice to a health service investigator.

(2)This section applies if, during a clinical review, a clinical reviewer reasonably believes that a matter under review involves a blameworthy act.

(3)The reviewer must—

(a)stop the review; and

(b)give written notice to the appointer that states—

(i)the review has been stopped; and

(ii)the reasons that the reviewer formed the reasonable belief under subsection (2).

135Reports by clinical reviewers other than to provide advice to investigator

(1)This section does not apply to a clinical review undertaken to provide clinical advice to a health service investigator.

(2)A clinical reviewer must prepare and provide a report to the appointer for each clinical review.

(3)The report may include recommendations on ways in which the safety and quality of public sector health services can be maintained and improved.

(4)Subsection (5) applies to a report provided to the chief executive after a clinical review in a Service.

(5)After considering the report, the chief executive may issue a direction to the Service.

(6)The Service must comply with the direction.

(7)Subsection (8) applies if—

(a)a report is provided to the chief executive after a clinical review in the department or a Service; or

(b)a copy of a report is given to the chief executive under section 137 after a clinical review in a Service; or

(c)a report is provided to a health service chief executive after a clinical review in the Service.

(8)After considering the report, the chief executive or health service chief executive may take the action he or she considers appropriate in relation to the matters identified in the report.

s 135 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2024 No. 7 s 6

136Reports by clinical reviewers to provide advice to investigator

(1)This section applies to a clinical review undertaken to provide clinical advice to a health service investigator.

(2)The clinical reviewer must prepare and provide a report to the health service investigator.

(3)The report may include recommendations on ways in which the safety and quality of public sector health services can be maintained and improved.

137Chief executive may request report from health service chief executive

(1)This section applies if a report is provided to a health service chief executive after a clinical review in the Service.

(2)If requested by the chief executive, the health service chief executive must give a copy of the report to the chief executive.

s 137 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

138Protection for reports

(1)This section applies to a report prepared as a result of a clinical review, other than as a result of a review undertaken to provide clinical advice to a health service investigator.

(2)The report—

(a)can not be accessed under any order, whether of a judicial or administrative nature; and

(b)is not admissible in any proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence under this division.

(3)A person must not, and can not be compelled to, produce the report, or give evidence relating to the report—

(a)in any proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence under this division; or

(b)in compliance with a requirement under an Act or legal process.

(4)In this section—

order includes a direction or other process.

proceeding includes—

(a)a civil proceeding; or

(b)a criminal proceeding; or

(c)a proceeding under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

s 138 amd 2012 No. 9 s 38; 2013 No. 13 s 95

pt 6 div 4 hdg ins 2016 No. 29 s 5

138ADefinitions for division

In this division—

midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the midwifery profession, other than as a student.

s 138A def midwife amd 2017 No. 32 s 87 (2) sch 1 pt 2

nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law—

(a)to practise in the nursing profession, other than as a student; and

(b)in the registered nurses division or enrolled nurses division of that profession.

s 138A def nurse amd 2017 No. 32 s 87 (2) sch 1 pt 2

nursing and midwifery regulation means a regulation under section 138B.

nursing and midwifery workload management information includes information about compliance with a nursing and midwifery regulation.

s 138A ins 2016 No. 29 s 5

138BPrescription of minimum nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient ratios

(1)A regulation may prescribe a requirement about the minimum number of nurses or midwives who must be engaged in delivering a health service according to the number of patients receiving the service.

(2)The regulation—

(a)may apply in relation to the delivery of stated health services—

(i)by stated Services; and

(ii)at stated facilities or parts of facilities; and

(iii)at stated times; and

(iv)in stated circumstances; and

Example—

A regulation may require that, in each surgical ward in a stated public sector hospital, between 7a.m. and 3p.m. each day, there be at least 1 nurse for every 4 patients.

(b)may include a requirement about the skills or qualifications of the nurses or midwives.

(3)For this section—

(a)a nurse or midwife is taken to be engaged in delivering a health service only if directly involved in providing care to 1 or more of the patients receiving the service; and

(b)to remove any doubt, it is declared that if a person receiving care in a maternity ward gives birth, the person’s newborn baby is also counted as a patient receiving the service.

(4)In this section—

newborn baby includes a baby—

(a)who has shown no sign of respiration or heartbeat, or other sign of life, on being born; and

(b)who—

(i)has been gestated for 20 weeks or more; or

(ii)weighs 400 grams or more.

s 138B ins 2016 No. 29 s 5

amd 2024 No. 7 s 12

138CTemporary exemptions

(1)The Minister may, by written notice given to a Service and published on the department’s website, grant a temporary exemption from compliance with a nursing and midwifery regulation.

(2)A temporary exemption may—

(a)exempt a Service from compliance with all or part of a nursing and midwifery regulation; or

(b)vary the application of a nursing and midwifery regulation to a Service so it imposes a lesser requirement.

(3)A temporary exemption may be granted on conditions.

(4)A temporary exemption has effect for the period, of not more than 3 months, stated in the Minister’s notice.

(5)The Minister may, under subsection (1), extend a temporary exemption for a further period of not more than 3 months.

(6)However, the Minister may not extend a temporary exemption, or grant a further temporary exemption to a Service, if as a result the Service would be the subject of a temporary exemption for a continuous period of more than 6 months.

s 138C ins 2016 No. 29 s 5

138DMatters for Minister to consider

(1)This section applies if the Minister proposes to—

(a)recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a nursing and midwifery regulation applying to a Service; or

(b)grant or extend a temporary exemption for a Service under section 138C.

(2)The Minister must consider the Service’s capability to comply with the regulation and the likely effects of compliance.

(3)The matters that the Minister may consider include—

(a)the likely financial costs of compliance; and

(b)any matter (including the nature, size and location of the Service) that may affect the Service’s ability to recruit and retain staff; and

(c)the infrastructure that the Service has, or can acquire, to support staff; and

(d)the potential effects, on health services delivered by the Service, of actions the Service may reasonably need to take to comply with the regulation.

s 138D ins 2016 No. 29 s 5

138EStandards about nursing and midwifery workload management

(1)The chief executive may make a standard about nursing and midwifery workload management by Services, including how a Service—

(a)calculates its nursing or midwifery human resource requirements; or

(b)develops and implements strategies to manage nursing or midwifery resource supply and demand; or

(c)evaluates the performance of its nursing or midwifery staff.

(2)The standard applies only in relation to the delivery of health services by a Service to the extent the health services are the subject of a nursing and midwifery regulation.

(3)The standard may include requirements about reporting nursing and midwifery workload management information to the chief executive.

(4)Subsection (3) does not limit the ways a Service may be required to report nursing and midwifery workload management information to the chief executive.

Example—

A Service may be required to report particular information under its service agreement with the chief executive.

(5)The Minister must notify the making of the standard.

(6)The Minister’s notice is subordinate legislation.

(7)The standard takes effect on the day the Minister’s notice commences or, if a later day of commencement is stated in the Minister’s notice, on the later day.

(8)The chief executive must publish the standard on the department’s website.

(9)The standard is binding on a Service to the extent it applies under subsection (2).

(10)However, if it is not possible to comply with both the standard and a regulation in relation to a particular matter because of an inconsistency between them, the regulation prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

s 138E ins 2016 No. 29 s 5

138FPublication of information about nursing and midwifery workload management

(1)The chief executive may require a Service to give the chief executive, by a stated reasonable time, stated nursing and midwifery workload management information relating to the Service.

(2)The Service must comply with the requirement.

(3)The chief executive may publish the information in a way that allows it to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the department’s website.

(4)This section applies to a Service whether or not it is the subject of a requirement under section 138B or standard under section 138E.

s 138F ins 2016 No. 29 s 5

pt 6 div 5 hdg ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

138GDefinitions for division

In this division—

enrolled nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law—

(a)to practise in the nursing profession, other than as a student; and

(b)in the enrolled nurses division of that profession.

nurse means a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse.

registered nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law—

(a)to practise in the nursing profession, other than as a student; and

(b)in the registered nurses division of that profession.

resident, at a State aged care facility, means a person who is provided residential care at the facility.

residential care has the meaning given by the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cwlth), section 41-3.

State aged care facility see the Public Health Act 2005, section 61A.

State aged care facility regulation means a regulation under section 138H or 138I.

State aged care facility workload management information includes information about compliance with a State aged care facility regulation.

support worker means a person, other than a nurse, who provides residential care, under the supervision of a registered nurse, at a State aged care facility.

Examples—

•a person employed in the role known as an assistant in nursing

•a person employed in the role known as a personal care assistant

•a person employed in the role known as an undergraduate student in nursing

s 138G ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

138HPrescription of minimum nurse and registered nurse percentages

(1)A regulation may prescribe a requirement about the minimum percentage of nurses or registered nurses providing residential care at a State aged care facility prescribed by regulation during each 24-hour period to the total number of nurses and support workers providing residential care at the facility during the period.

(2)The regulation—

(a)may apply in relation to the delivery of residential care—

(i)by stated Services; and

(ii)at stated facilities or parts of facilities; and

(iii)at stated times; and

(iv)in stated circumstances; and

(b)may include a requirement about the skills or qualifications of the nurses or support workers.

(3)For this section, a nurse or support worker is taken to be providing residential care at a State aged care facility only if the nurse or support worker is directly involved in providing residential care at the facility.

(4)In this section—

24-hour period means the period starting at midnight on a day and ending immediately before midnight on the following day.

s 138H ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

138IPrescription of minimum average daily resident care hours

(1)A regulation may prescribe a requirement about the minimum average daily resident care hours at a State aged care facility prescribed by regulation.

(2)The regulation may apply in relation to the delivery of residential care—

(a)by stated Services; and

(b)at stated facilities or parts of facilities; and

(c)at stated times; and

(d)in stated circumstances.

(3)The average daily resident care hours at a State aged care facility is worked out by dividing the total number of hours of residential care that nurses and support workers provide at the facility on a day by the number of residents at the facility on the day.

(4)For this section, a nurse or support worker is taken to provide residential care at a State aged care facility only if the nurse or support worker is directly involved in providing residential care at the facility.

s 138I ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

138JTemporary exemptions

(1)The Minister may, by written notice given to a Service and published on the department’s website, grant a temporary exemption from compliance with a State aged care facility regulation.

(2)A temporary exemption may—

(a)exempt a Service from compliance with all or part of a State aged care facility regulation; or

(b)vary the application of a State aged care facility regulation to a Service so it imposes a lesser requirement.

(3)A temporary exemption may be granted on conditions.

(4)A temporary exemption has effect for the period, of not more than 3 months, stated in the Minister’s notice.

(5)The Minister may, under subsection (1), extend a temporary exemption for a further period of not more than 3 months.

(6)However, the Minister may not extend a temporary exemption, or grant a further temporary exemption to a Service, if as a result the Service would be the subject of a temporary exemption for a continuous period of more than 6 months.

s 138J ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

138KMatters for Minister to consider

(1)This section applies if the Minister proposes to—

(a)recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a State aged care facility regulation applying to a Service; or

(b)grant or extend a temporary exemption for a Service under section 138J.

(2)The Minister must consider the Service’s capability to comply with the regulation and the likely effects of compliance.

(3)The matters that the Minister may consider include—

(a)the likely financial costs of compliance; and

(b)any matter (including the nature, size and location of the Service) that may affect the Service’s ability to recruit and retain staff; and

(c)the infrastructure that the Service has, or can acquire, to support staff; and

(d)the potential effects, on residential care delivered by the Service, of actions the Service may reasonably need to take to comply with the regulation.

s 138K ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

138LStandards about State aged care facility workload management

(1)The chief executive may make a standard about State aged care facility workload management by Services, including how a Service—

(a)calculates its requirements for nurses and support workers; or

(b)develops and implements strategies to manage supply and demand for nurses and support workers; or

(c)evaluates the performance of its nurses and support workers at its State aged care facility.

(2)The standard applies only in relation to the delivery of residential care by a Service to the extent the residential care is the subject of a State aged care facility regulation.

(3)The standard may include requirements about reporting State aged care facility workload management information to the chief executive.

(4)Subsection (3) does not limit the ways a Service may be required to report State aged care facility workload management information to the chief executive.

Example—

A Service may be required to report particular information under its service agreement with the chief executive.

(5)The Minister must notify the making of the standard.

(6)The Minister’s notice is subordinate legislation.

(7)The standard takes effect on the day the Minister’s notice commences or, if a later day of commencement is stated in the Minister’s notice, on the later day.

(8)The chief executive must publish the standard on the department’s website.

(9)The standard is binding on a Service to the extent it applies under subsection (2).

(10)However, if it is not possible to comply with both the standard and a regulation in relation to a particular matter because of an inconsistency between them, the regulation prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

s 138L ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

138MPublication of information about State aged care facility workload management

(1)The chief executive may require a Service to give the chief executive, by a stated reasonable time, stated State aged care facility workload management information relating to the Service.

(2)The Service must comply with the requirement.

(3)The chief executive may publish the information in a way that allows it to be accessed by members of the public, including, for example, on the department’s website.

s 138M ins 2019 No. 38 s 69

139Definitions for pt 7

In this part—

confidential information means—

(a)information, acquired by a person in the person’s capacity as a designated person, from which a person who is receiving or has received a public sector health service could be identified; or

(b)information accessed by a prescribed health professional under section 161C(2).

s 139 def confidential information sub 2016 No. 50 s 14

amd 2022 No. 1 s 33 (3)

designated person see section 139A.

s 139 def designated person sub 2016 No. 50 s 14

amd 2016 No. 5 s 923 sch 4 (amdt could not be given effect)

external service provider means an entity providing a health service under an agreement between the chief executive or a Service and the entity.

s 139 def external service provider ins 2014 No. 65 s 34

guardian, of a child, means a person who is recognised in law as having the duties, powers, responsibilities and authority that, by law, parents have in relation to their children.

information system means a system for making, keeping and preserving records, whether paper-based, electronic or both, including records that contain confidential information.

s 139 def information system ins 2014 No. 65 s 34

parent see section 140.

prescribed health practitioner ...

s 139 def prescribed health practitioner ins 2016 No. 50 s 14(2)

om 2022 No. 1 s 33 (1)

prescribed health professional means—

(a)a health professional, other than a person mentioned in section 139A(1), who is prescribed by regulation; or

(b)a person who was a health professional mentioned in paragraph (a).

s 139 def prescribed health professional ins 2002 No. 1 s 33 (2)

prescribed information system means an information system prescribed by regulation.

s 139 def prescribed information system ins 2016 No. 50 s 14(2)

relevant health practitioner ...

s 139 def relevant health practitioner ins 2016 No. 50 s 14(2)

om 2022 No. 1 s 33 (1)

139AMeaning of designated person

(1)Designated person means a person who is—

(a)a public service employee employed in the department; or

(b)a health service employee; or

(c)the chief health officer; or

(ca)a deputy chief health officer; or

(d)the chief psychiatrist; or

(e)a health professional (other than a person mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d)) engaged in delivering a public sector health service, whether at a public sector health service facility or another place; or

(f)a member of a board of a Service; or

(g)a person (other than a person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b)) engaged temporarily to provide administrative support services for a Service or the department; or

(h)a person being educated or trained at a public sector health service facility as part of the requirements for—

(i)registration, enrolment or other authorisation (however described) to practise as a health professional; or

(ii)completion of a course of study qualifying a person for registration, enrolment or authorisation mentioned in subparagraph (i); or

(i)a person providing education or training at a public sector health service facility to a person mentioned in paragraph (h); or

(j)a contractor who accesses confidential information under a contract to provide information and communication technology or information management services to a Service or the department; or

(k)a volunteer carrying out duties at a public sector health service facility on behalf of a Service or the department; or

(l)an inspector; or

(m)another person prescribed under a regulation for this paragraph to be a designated person.

(2)Any person who was a person mentioned in subsection (1) is also a designated person.

s 139A ins 2016 No. 50 s 15

amd 2020 No. 23 s 55E; 2020 No. 31 s 17; 2021 No. 16 s 22I

140Meaning of parent

(1)A parent of a child is the child’s mother, father or someone else having or exercising parental responsibility for the child.

(2)However, a person standing in the place of a parent of a child on a temporary basis is not a parent of the child.

(3)A parent of an Aboriginal child includes a person who, under Aboriginal tradition, is regarded as a parent of the child.

(4)A parent of a Torres Strait Islander child includes a person who, under Island custom, is regarded as a parent of the child.

141Part does not apply to Act officials

(1)This part does not apply to information acquired by an Act official in the performance of the official’s functions under this Act.

(2)In this section—

Act official means any of the following—

(a)a member of a quality assurance committee;

(b)a relevant person for a quality assurance committee;

(c)a member of an RCA team;

(d)a relevant person for an RCA team;

(e)a commissioning authority;

(f)a relevant person for a commissioning authority;

(g)a health service auditor;

(h)a clinical reviewer;

(i)a health service investigator.

pt 7 div 2 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2016 No. 50 s 16

142Confidential information must not be disclosed by designated persons

(1)A designated person must not disclose, directly or indirectly, confidential information to another person unless the disclosure is required or permitted under this Act.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)For subsection (1), another person includes another designated person or a prescribed health professional.

(3)Subsection (1) applies even if the person who could be identified from the disclosure of confidential information is deceased.

s 142 amd 2016 No. 50 s 17; 2022 No. 1 s 34

142AConfidential information must not be disclosed by prescribed health professionals

(1)A prescribed health professional must not disclose, directly or indirectly, confidential information to another person unless the disclosure is required or permitted under this Act.

Maximum penalty—600 penalty units.

(2)For subsection (1), another person includes another prescribed health professional or a designated person.

(3)Subsection (1) applies even if the person who could be identified from the disclosure of confidential information is deceased.

s 142A ins 2016 No. 50 s 18

amd 2022 No. 1 s 35

pt 7 div 2 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2016 No. 50 s 18

143Disclosure required or permitted by law

(1)A designated person may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is required or permitted by an Act or law.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the disclosure of the following confidential information is a disclosure permitted by an Act—

(a)information provided to the chief executive by a Service under a service agreement;

(b)information provided to the chief executive and other entities by a Service in compliance with a health service directive;

(c)information provided under this Act by the chief executive to the Commonwealth or an entity established under an Act of the Commonwealth;

(d)information provided to the administrator under part 3A, division 4;

(e)information provided to a prescribed health professional by a designated person by giving the prescribed health professional access to a prescribed information system for the purposes of section 161C.

(3)A prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is required or permitted by an Act or law.

s 143 amd 2012 No. 9 ss 39, 54 sch; 2016 No. 50 s 19; 2022 No. 1 s 36

144Disclosure with consent

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the person to whom the confidential information relates is an adult and consents to the disclosure; or

(b)the person to whom the confidential information relates is a child and—

(i)the disclosure of the confidential information is by a health professional who reasonably believes the child is of sufficient age and mental and emotional maturity to understand the nature of consenting to the disclosure; and

(ii)the child consents to the disclosure; or

(c)the person to whom the confidential information relates is a child and—

(i)the disclosure of the confidential information is by a health professional who reasonably believes the child is of insufficient age or mental or emotional maturity to understand the nature of consenting to the disclosure; and

(ii)the child’s parent or guardian consents to the disclosure; or

(d)the person to whom the confidential information relates is a child and the disclosure of the confidential information is by a health professional who reasonably believes the disclosure of the information is in the child’s best interests.

s 144 amd 2016 No. 50 s 20; 2022 No. 1 s 37

145Disclosure of confidential information for care or treatment of person

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is for the care or treatment of the person to whom the information relates.

s 145 amd 2016 No. 50 s 21; 2022 No. 1 s 38

146Disclosure to person who has sufficient interest in health and welfare of person

(1)A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the confidential information—

(a)is about the condition of the person to whom the information relates and is communicated in general terms; or

Example of communicated in general terms—

A switchboard operator or other staff member at a hospital discloses that a person’s condition is ‘satisfactory’.

(b)is communicated by a health professional, under the recognised standards of the relevant health profession, to a person who, in the health professional’s reasonable opinion, has a sufficient personal or professional interest in the health and welfare of the person to whom the information relates.

Example of persons to whom a health professional may communicate confidential information—

•a spouse, parent or child of the person

•another relative of the person

•a friend of the person who has a close personal relationship with the person and a personal interest in the person’s welfare

•an adult who is providing home care to the person who has a chronic condition or a disability

•a general practitioner who has had responsibility for the care and treatment of the person

(2)For subsection (1)(b), if the person to whom the confidential information relates is deceased, another person has a sufficient personal interest in the health and welfare of the deceased person if, in the health professional’s reasonable opinion, the other person would have had a sufficient interest while the deceased person was alive.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to the disclosure of confidential information to a person if the person to whom the confidential information relates asks that the confidential information not be disclosed generally or to that person.

s 146 amd 2016 No. 50 s 22; 2022 No. 1 s 39

147Disclosure to lessen or prevent serious risk to life, health or safety

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the relevant chief executive believes, on reasonable grounds, the disclosure is necessary to assist in lessening or preventing a serious risk to—

(i)the life, health or safety of a person, including the person to whom the confidential information relates; or

(ii)public safety; and

(b)the relevant chief executive has, in writing, authorised the disclosure.

s 147 amd 2016 No. 50 s 23; 2022 No. 1 s 40

148Disclosure for the protection, safety or wellbeing of a child

(1)A designated person may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the disclosure is to a person for the protection, safety or wellbeing of a child; and

(b)the confidential information relates to someone other than the child mentioned in paragraph (a).

(2)A prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the relevant chief executive believes, on reasonable grounds, the disclosure is necessary for the protection, safety or wellbeing of a child; and

(b)the confidential information relates to someone other than the child mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(c)the relevant chief executive has, in writing, authorised the disclosure.

s 148 amd 2016 No. 50 s 24; 2022 No. 1 s 41

149Disclosure for funding arrangements and public health monitoring

A designated person may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the disclosure is to another designated person; and

(b)the disclosure and receipt of the confidential information is—

(i)to give effect to or manage a funding arrangement for a public sector health service; or

(ii)for analysing, monitoring or evaluating public health; and

(c)the other designated person is authorised in writing by the relevant chief executive to receive the confidential information.

150Disclosure for purposes relating to health services

A designated person may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the disclosure is to another designated person for evaluating, managing, monitoring or planning health services; or

(b)the disclosure is to an entity prescribed under a regulation for this paragraph for evaluating, managing, monitoring or planning health services as stated in the regulation.

150ADisclosure for purposes related to approved research

(1)This section applies if the relevant chief executive gives a person (a researcher) written approval to carry out research.

(2)A designated person may disclose confidential information about a person (a participant) for the purpose of conducting the research if—

(a)the disclosure is to the researcher; and

(b)the participant is an adult who has impaired capacity for consenting to participation in the research; and

(c)the tribunal under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 or another person authorised under a law to make decisions for the participant consents to the participant’s participation in the research.

Example of a person authorised under a law—

A statutory health attorney for an adult’s health matter under the Powers of Attorney Act 1998.

(3)In this section—

impaired capacity has the same meaning as impaired capacity under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000.

research see the Public Health Act 2005, section 280, definition research.

s 150A ins 2016 No. 50 s 25

151Disclosure to Commonwealth, another State or Commonwealth or State entity

(1)A designated person may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the disclosure is to the Commonwealth or another State, or an entity of the Commonwealth or another State and the disclosure—

(i)is required or allowed under an agreement—

(A)between the State or a Service and the Commonwealth, State or entity; and

(B)prescribed under a regulation for this paragraph; and

(ii)is considered by the relevant chief executive to be in the public interest and the chief executive states this in writing; or

(b)the disclosure is to an entity of the State and the disclosure—

(i)is required or allowed under an agreement—

(A)between the chief executive or a Service and the entity; and

(B)prescribed under a regulation for this paragraph; and

(ii)is considered by the relevant chief executive to be in the public interest and the chief executive states this in writing.

(2)The Commonwealth, a State or entity that receives confidential information under an agreement under subsection (1)—

(a)must not give it to anyone else unless allowed to do so by the agreement or in writing by the relevant chief executive; and

(b)must ensure the confidential information is used only for the purpose for which it was given under the agreement.

(3)In this section—

entity of the Commonwealth includes an entity established under an Act of the Commonwealth.

entity of the State includes a department and an entity established under an Act for a public purpose.

s 151 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

152Disclosure to or by inspector

A designated person may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the disclosure is to an inspector and the confidential information is relevant to the performance of the inspector’s functions under this Act; or

(b)the disclosure is by an inspector and is necessary for performing the inspector’s functions under this Act.

153Disclosure to Act officials

A designated person may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is to an Act official and the confidential information is relevant to the functions being performed by the Act official.

154Disclosure to or by relevant chief executive

(1)A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is to a relevant chief executive for achieving the objects of this Act.

(2)A relevant chief executive may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is for a function of the relevant chief executive under this Act.

s 154 amd 2016 No. 50 s 26; 2022 No. 1 s 42

155Disclosure to health practitioner registration board

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is to a board established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law or to the National Agency for the purposes of—

(a)making, or giving information about, a complaint or notification about a person who is or was registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law; or

(b)answering questions or otherwise giving information as part of an investigation or a proceeding about a person who is or was registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

s 155 amd 2013 No. 13 s 96; 2016 No. 50 s 27; 2022 No. 1 s 43

156Disclosure to health ombudsman

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information to the health ombudsman for the purpose of—

(a)making, or giving information about, a complaint under the Health Ombudsman Act 2013 or the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland); or

(b)answering questions or otherwise giving information as part of an investigation under the Health Ombudsman Act 2013 about a person who is or was a health service provider under that Act; or

(c)giving the health ombudsman information about health services; or

(d)giving the health ombudsman aggregated data, including data that identifies persons, about complaint management, patient safety or another matter relating to the quality of health services.

s 156 sub 2013 No. 36 s 331 sch 1

amd 2014 No. 65 s 35; 2016 No. 50 s 28; 2022 No. 1 s 44

157Disclosure to person performing functions under Coroners Act 2003

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is to a person who requires the confidential information to perform a function under the Coroners Act 2003, other than for the preparation of an annual report.

s 157 amd 2016 No. 50 s 29; 2022 No. 1 s 45

157ADisclosure to inspector of detention services

(1)A designated person may disclose confidential information to the inspector of detention services if—

(a)the information is relevant to the inspector of detention services performing a function under the Inspector of Detention Services Act 2022; and

(b)the inspector of detention services has asked for the information under section 13 of that Act; and

(c)either—

(i)the designated person has made a reasonable attempt to obtain the consent of the relevant person for the disclosure under section 144(a), (b) or (c); or

(ii)it is not practicable for the designated person to obtain the consent of the relevant person for the disclosure under section 144(a), (b) or (c).

(2)In this section—

inspector of detention services means the inspector of detention services under the Inspector of Detention Services Act 2022.

relevant person, for the disclosure of confidential information, means the person who may consent to the disclosure of the information under section 144(a), (b)(ii) or (c)(ii).

s 157A ins 2022 No. 18 s 61

157B Disclosure to person performing functions under Mental Health Act 2016

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is to a person who requires the confidential information to perform a function under the Mental Health Act 2016, other than for the preparation of an annual report.

Note—

See also the Mental Health Act 2016, section 778(3)(a).

s 157B ins 2022 No. 1 s 46

158Disclosure to lawyers

A relevant chief executive may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the disclosure is to a lawyer in relation to a matter; and

(b)the lawyer is representing the State or a Service in relation to the matter.

s 158 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

159Disclosure to Australian Red Cross Society

A designated person or prescribed health professional may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is to the Australian Red Cross Society for the purpose of tracing—

(a)blood or tissue, or blood products derived from blood, infected with any disease; or

(b)the donor or recipient of that blood or tissue.

s 159 amd 2016 No. 50 s 30; 2022 No. 1 s 47

160Disclosure of confidential information in the public interest

(1)A designated person may disclose confidential information if—

(a)the relevant chief executive of a Service or the department believes, on reasonable grounds, the disclosure is in the public interest; and

(b)the relevant chief executive has, in writing, authorised the disclosure.

(2)The annual report of the Service or the department for a financial year under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 must include a statement about—

(a)the nature of any confidential information disclosed under subsection (1) during the financial year; and

(b)the purpose for which the confidential information was disclosed.

(3)However, the statement mentioned in subsection (2)(a) must not identify, directly or indirectly, the person to whom the confidential information relates.

s 160 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

160A Disclosure for purpose of Health Transparency Act 2019

A designated person may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is to any of the following persons who is performing a function under, or relating to the administration of, the Health Transparency Act 2019—

(a)the chief executive;

(b)an employee of the department;

(c)a contractor who is contracted to provide information and communication technology or information management services to the department.

s 160A ins 2019 No. 38 s 71

161Necessary or incidental disclosure

A designated person may disclose confidential information if the disclosure is necessary or incidental to a disclosure of confidential information otherwise permitted under this part.

Examples of necessary or incidental disclosures—

•the disclosure of confidential information to support staff at a public sector hospital who make appointments for patients, maintain patient records and undertake other administrative tasks

•the disclosure of confidential information to Medicare Australia or health insurance providers for processing the payment of accounts for treatment or diagnostic tests

•the disclosure of confidential information to advise the chief executive or a health service chief executive about authorising the disclosure of confidential information in the public interest under section 160 or to collect confidential information for the purpose of a prescribed agreement under section 151

•accessing contact details for a person to seek the person’s consent under section 144 to the disclosure of confidential information

•permitting contractors to access databases to write, test or analyse programs, perform database administration tasks or maintain technical aspects of computer hardware

s 161 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

pt 7 div 3 hdg ins 2014 No. 65 s 36

161AChief executive may authorise access to information system

(1)The chief executive may authorise an external service provider, or a person engaged by the external service provider, to access an information system.

(2)The chief executive may authorise the access only if satisfied the access is necessary to enable the external service provider to provide a health service under an agreement between the chief executive or a Service and the service provider.

(3)An authorisation under subsection (1)—

(a)must be in writing; and

(b)must describe the information system to which the authorisation relates; and

(c)may be given on conditions stated in the authorisation.

s 161A ins 2014 No. 65 s 36

161BExternal service provider may access confidential information under authorisation

(1)An external service provider that is the subject of an authorisation under section 161A, or a person engaged by the service provider, may access the information system under the authorisation.

(2)For the purposes of the Information Privacy Act 2009, chapter 2, part 4—

(a)the external service provider is taken to be a bound contracted service provider; and

(b)the agreement between the chief executive or a Service and the service provider is taken to be a service arrangement; and

(c)the chief executive or the Service, as the case may be, is the contracting agency.

s 161B ins 2014 No. 65 s 36

pt 7 div 4 hdg ins 2016 No. 50 s 31

amd 2022 No. 1 s 48

161CPrescribed health professional may access prescribed information system and particular information

(1)A prescribed health professional may access a prescribed information system.

(2)A prescribed health professional must not access information contained in a prescribed information system unless—

(a)the information is necessary for the prescribed health professional to facilitate the care or treatment of an individual; or

(b)the prescribed health professional accesses the information incidentally while accessing information mentioned in paragraph (a).

Maximum penalty—600 penalty units.

(3)A prescribed health professional must comply with all conditions prescribed by regulation in relation to accessing a prescribed information system and any information contained in the system.

Maximum penalty—600 penalty units.

s 161C ins 2016 No. 50 s 31

amd 2022 No. 1 s 49

162Definitions for pt 8

In this part—

identity card, for a provision about authorised persons or security officers, means an identity card issued under section 169.

offence warning, for a direction or requirement by an authorised person or security officer, means a warning that, without a reasonable excuse, it is an offence for the person to whom the direction is given or of whom the requirement is made not to comply with it.

official traffic sign see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, schedule 4.

owner, of a vehicle, includes the person registered as the owner of the vehicle under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, or the corresponding law of another State or a Territory.

personal details requirement see section 185(5).

regulatory notice see section 175.

vehicle see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, schedule 4.

163Appointment of authorised persons

(1)A health service chief executive (the appointer) may, in writing, appoint a person to be an authorised person under this Act for health services land under the control of the Service.

(2)However, the appointer may appoint a person as an authorised person only if the appointer is satisfied the person is qualified for appointment because the person has the necessary expertise or experience.

s 163 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

164Appointment of security officers

(1)A health service chief executive (the appointer) may, in writing, appoint a person to be a security officer under this Act for health services land under the control of the Service.

(2)However, the appointer may appoint a person as a security officer only if the appointer is satisfied the person is qualified for appointment because the person has the necessary expertise or experience.

s 164 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

165Person may be appointed as authorised person and security officer

A person may be appointed both an authorised person and a security officer.

166Appointment conditions and limit on powers

(1)An authorised person or security officer holds office on any conditions stated in—

(a)the authorised person’s or security officer’s instrument of appointment; or

(b)a signed notice given to the authorised person or security officer; or

(c)a regulation.

(2)The instrument of appointment, a signed notice given to the authorised person or security officer or a regulation may limit the authorised person’s or security officer’s powers.

(3)In this section—

signed notice means a notice signed by the appointer.

167When office ends

(1)The office of a person as authorised person or security officer ends if any of the following happens—

(a)the term of office stated in a condition of office ends;

(b)under another condition of office, the office ends;

(c)the authorised person’s or security officer’s resignation under section 168 takes effect.

(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the ways the office of a person as an authorised person or security officer ends.

(3)In this section—

condition of office means a condition under which the authorised person or security officer holds office.

168Resignation

(1)An authorised person or security officer may resign by signed notice given to the appointer.

(2)However, if holding office as an authorised person or security officer is a condition of the authorised person or security officer holding another office, the authorised person or security officer may not resign as an authorised person or security officer without resigning from the other office.

169Identity cards

(1)The appointer must issue an identity card to each authorised person and security officer.

(2)The identity card must—

(a)contain a recent photo of the authorised person or security officer; and

(b)contain a copy of the authorised person’s or security officer’s signature; and

(c)identify the person as an authorised person or security officer under this Act; and

(d)state an expiry date for the card.

(3)This section does not prevent the issue of a single identity card to a person for this Act and other purposes.

170Production or display of identity card

(1)In exercising a power in relation to a person in the person’s presence, an authorised person or security officer must—

(a)produce the authorised person’s or security officer’s identity card for the person’s inspection before exercising the power; or

(b)have the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the person when exercising the power.

(2)However, if it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1), the authorised person or security officer must produce the identity card for the person’s inspection at the first reasonable opportunity.

171Return of identity card

If the office of a person as an authorised person or security officer ends, the person must return the person’s identity card to the appointer within 21 days after the office ends unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.

172Health services land for which authorised person may exercise powers

(1)Subsection (2) applies to a reference in this division to an authorised person exercising a power or doing a thing.

(2)The reference is taken to be a reference to the authorised person exercising the power or doing the thing for the health services land for which the authorised person is appointed.

173Health services land for which health service chief executives may exercise powers

(1)Subsection (2) applies to a reference in this division to—

(a)a health service chief executive exercising a power or doing a thing in relation to health services land; or

(b)a health service chief executive exercising a power or doing a thing in relation to a vehicle seized and removed by an authorised officer from health services land.

(2)The reference is taken to be a reference to the health service chief executive exercising the power or doing the thing for the health services land under the control of the Service for which the health service chief executive is appointed.

s 173 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

174Authorised persons to control traffic on health services land

(1)An authorised person may control traffic on health services land and, for this purpose, may give directions to a person on the land.

(2)The person given a direction must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not complying with it.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

175Regulatory notice

(1)A health service chief executive may erect or display on, or at or near any vehicular entrance to, health services land, a notice (a regulatory notice) regulating the driving, parking or standing of vehicles on the land, including, for example—

(a)fixing a maximum speed limit; or

(b)indicating a pedestrian crossing; or

(c)indicating a place where the driving, parking or standing of a vehicle is restricted or prohibited.

(2)A person on health services land must comply with a regulatory notice, unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not complying with it.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)A regulatory notice—

(a)must state the limits of the area to which the notice applies; and

(b)may state that a contravention of the notice is an offence against this Act and the penalty for the offence.

(4)Without limiting subsection (1), a health service chief executive may erect or display regulatory notices in the form of official traffic signs.

(5)Evidence that a regulatory notice was erected or displayed at a place mentioned in subsection (1) is evidence that the notice was erected or displayed by the health service chief executive.

(6)A regulatory notice erected or displayed under this section must be easily visible to passers-by.

s 175 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

176Notices that contravention of regulatory notice an offence

(1)This section applies if a regulatory notice does not state that a contravention of the notice is an offence against this Act and the penalty for the offence.

(2)A health service chief executive must erect or display at or near each vehicular entrance to health services land to which the regulatory notice relates, and other places the health service chief executive considers appropriate, notices stating that a contravention of a regulatory notice is an offence and the penalty for the offence.

(3)The notice may contain any other information the health service chief executive considers appropriate.

(4)The notice erected or displayed under this section must be easily visible to passers-by.

s 176 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

177Removal and detention of illegally parked or abandoned vehicles

(1)An authorised person may seize and remove a vehicle that the authorised person believes on reasonable grounds—

(a)is parked in contravention of a regulatory notice; or

(b)is abandoned.

(2)The vehicle must be held at a safe place.

(3)An authorised person may exercise the powers on the grounds mentioned in subsection (1)(a) only if—

(a)the authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary or desirable to seize and remove the vehicle having regard to the safety and convenience of traffic on health services land; and

(b)the authorised person—

(i)can not immediately locate the driver of the vehicle; or

(ii)believes on reasonable grounds that the driver of the vehicle is not willing or able to remove the vehicle immediately.

(4)As soon as is practicable and no later than 14 days after the vehicle is seized, a health service chief executive must give to the owner of the vehicle a written notice stating how the owner may recover the vehicle.

(5)If the owner can not be ascertained or located within 14 days after the vehicle is seized, the notice may be given by publishing it in a newspaper circulating generally in the State.

(6)If the vehicle was parked in contravention of a regulatory notice, the owner of the vehicle must pay to the relevant Service the cost of seizing, removing, holding and returning the vehicle.

(7)In this section—

vehicle includes a part of the vehicle and anything attached to, or contained in, the vehicle.

s 177 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

178Disposal of unclaimed vehicles

(1)This section applies if the owner of a seized vehicle does not recover the vehicle within 2 months after notice is given to the owner under section 177(4) or (5).

(2)After publishing a notice in a newspaper circulating generally in the State, a health service chief executive may sell the vehicle by public auction.

(3)The notice must—

(a)identify the vehicle; and

(b)state that the vehicle is to be sold by auction; and

(c)state how the owner may recover the vehicle before the auction; and

(d)state the time and place of the auction.

(4)Compensation is not recoverable against a Service or the health service chief executive for the sale of a vehicle under this section.

(5)In this section—

vehicle includes a part of the vehicle and anything attached to, or contained in, the vehicle.

s 178 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

179Application of proceeds of sale

(1)The proceeds of the sale must be applied in the following order—

(a)in payment of the reasonable expenses incurred in the sale;

(b)in payment of the reasonable cost of seizing, removing and holding the vehicle;

(c)in payment of any balance to the owner.

(2)Compensation is not recoverable against a Service or the health service chief executive for a payment under this section.

s 179 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

180Health services land for which authorised person or security officer may exercise powers

(1)Subsection (2) applies to a reference in this division to an authorised person or security officer exercising a power or doing a thing.

(2)The reference is taken to be a reference to the authorised person or security officer exercising the power or doing the thing for the health services land for which the authorised person or security officer is appointed.

181Health services land for which health service chief executives may exercise powers

(1)Subsection (2) applies to a reference in this division to a health service chief executive exercising a power or doing a thing.

(2)The reference is taken to be a reference to the health service chief executive exercising the power or doing the thing for the health services land under the control of the Service for which the health service chief executive is appointed.

s 181 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

182Conduct causing a public nuisance

A person must not be disorderly or create a disturbance on health services land.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

183Power to deal with persons causing a public nuisance

(1)This section applies if a security officer—

(a)finds a person contravening section 182; or

(b)finds a person in circumstances that leads the security officer to suspect on reasonable grounds that the person has just contravened section 182; or

(c)has information that leads the security officer to suspect on reasonable grounds that a person has just contravened section 182; or

(d)reasonably believes, having regard to the way a person is behaving, that the person’s presence may pose a threat to the safety of anyone else on or leaving health services land; or

(e)has information that leads the security officer to believe, on reasonable grounds, a person’s presence may pose a threat to the safety of anyone else on or leaving health services land; or

(f)reasonably believes a person is on health services land without lawful justification or excuse.

(2)The security officer may direct the person to leave the health services land or a part of the health services land.

(3)However, the security officer must not give a direction under subsection (2) if the person requires emergency medical treatment that is immediately necessary to save the person’s life or to prevent serious impairment to the person.

(4)The person must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not complying with it.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

s 183 amd 2023 No. 9 s 7

185Power to require name and address

(1)This section applies if an authorised person or security officer—

(a)finds a person committing an offence against this part; or

(b)finds a person in circumstances that lead the authorised person or security officer to reasonably suspect the person has just committed an offence against this part; or

(c)has information that leads the authorised person or security officer to reasonably suspect a person has just committed an offence against this part.

(2)The authorised person or security officer may require the person to state the person’s name and residential address.

(3)The authorised person or security officer may also require the person to give evidence of the correctness of the stated name or address if, in the circumstances, it would be reasonable to expect the person to—

(a)be in possession of evidence of the correctness of the stated name or address; or

(b)otherwise be able to give the evidence.

(4)When making a personal details requirement, the authorised person or security officer must give the person an offence warning for the requirement.

(5)A requirement under this section is a personal details requirement.

186Offence to contravene personal details requirement

(1)A person of whom a personal details requirement has been made must comply with the requirement unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)A person may not be convicted of an offence under subsection (1) unless the person is found guilty of the offence in relation to which the personal details requirement was made.

187Obstructing an authorised person or security officer

(1)A person must not obstruct an authorised person or security officer in the exercise of a power, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)If a person has obstructed an authorised person or security officer and the authorised person or security officer decides to proceed with the exercise of the power, the authorised person or security officer must warn the person that—

(a)it is an offence to cause an obstruction unless the person has a reasonable excuse; and

(b)the authorised person or security officer considers the person’s conduct an obstruction.

(3)In this section—

obstruct includes assault, hinder, resist, attempt to obstruct and threaten to obstruct.

188Impersonating authorised person or security officer

A person must not impersonate an authorised person or security officer.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

189Functions of health service investigators

The functions of a health service investigator are to investigate and report on any matters relating to the management, administration or delivery of public sector health services, including employment matters.

190Appointment of health service investigators

(1)The chief executive (the appointer) may, by instrument in writing, appoint a person as a health service investigator to undertake an investigation under this part in the department or a Service.

(2)A health service chief executive (also the appointer) may, by instrument in writing, appoint a person as a health service investigator to undertake an investigation under this part in the Service.

(3)However, a person may be appointed as a health service investigator only if the appointer is satisfied the person is qualified for appointment because the person has the necessary expertise or experience.

s 190 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch

191Appointment conditions and limit on powers

(1)A health service investigator holds office on any conditions stated in—

(a)the investigator’s instrument of appointment; or

(b)a signed notice given to the investigator; or

(c)a regulation.

(2)The instrument of appointment, a signed notice given to the investigator or a regulation may limit the investigator’s powers.

(3)In this section—

signed notice means a notice signed by the appointer.

192When office ends

(1)The office of a person as a health service investigator ends if any of the following happens—

(a)the term of office stated in a condition of office ends;

(b)under another condition of office, the office ends;

(c)the investigator’s resignation under section 193 takes effect.

(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the ways the office of a person as an investigator ends.

(3)In this section—

condition of office means a condition under which the investigator holds office.

193Resignation

(1)A health service investigator may resign by signed notice given to the appointer.

(2)However, if holding office as an investigator is a condition of the investigator holding another office, the investigator may not resign as an investigator without resigning from the other office.

194Powers of health service investigators

(1)A health service investigator may enter a public sector health service facility at any time the facility is open for business or otherwise open for entry.

(2)A health service investigator may, in the exercise of the investigator’s functions, ask an employee of the department or a Service to give to the investigator a document, including a document containing confidential information, that—

(a)is relevant to the investigator’s functions; and

(b)is in the possession or control of the employee.

(3)The employee must comply with the request.

(4)If requested by the employee, the health service investigator must produce the investigator’s instrument of appointment to the employee.

(5)The health service investigator may make copies of, and take extracts from, the document.

(6)In this section—

confidential information means any information that—

(a)is about a person who is receiving or has received a public sector health service; and

(b)could identify the person.

s 194 amd 2012 No. 9 s 40

195Giving health service investigator false or misleading information

(1)A person must not, in relation to an investigation under this part, give a health service investigator information, or a document containing information, that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1) applies to information or a document given in relation to an investigation under this part whether or not the information or document was given in response to a specific power under this part.

196Obstructing investigator

(1)A person must not obstruct a health service investigator exercising a power unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)If a person has obstructed a health service investigator and the investigator decides to proceed with the exercise of the power, the investigator must warn the person that—

(a)it is an offence to cause an obstruction unless the person has a reasonable excuse; and

(b)the investigator considers the person’s conduct an obstruction.

(3)In this section—

obstruct includes assault, hinder, resist, attempt to obstruct and threaten to obstruct.

197Duty of confidentiality of health service investigators

(1)This section applies to a person who—

(a)is or has been a health service investigator; and

(b)in that capacity was given information.

(2)The person must not disclose the information to anyone else.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(3)However, the person may disclose the information to someone else—

(a)to the extent necessary to perform the person’s functions under or in relation to this Act; or

(b)if the person to whom the information relates consents in writing to the disclosure; or

(c)if the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by another Act or law.

(4)Also, the person may disclose the information to someone else if—

(a)the disclosure is to—

(i)the relevant chief executive; or

(ii)another person authorised in writing by the relevant chief executive to receive the information; and

(b)the purpose of the disclosure under this section is to allow further disclosure of the information under section 160.

198Disclosure to person under Coroners Act 2003

Section 197 does not apply to the disclosure of information to a person who requires the information to perform a function under the Coroners Act 2003, other than for the preparation of an annual report.

199Reports by health service investigators

(1)A health service investigator must prepare and provide a report to the appointer for each health service investigation.

(2)In preparing the report, the health service investigator must—

(a)have regard to any report provided by a clinical reviewer under section 136; and

(b)attach the reviewer’s report to the investigator’s report.

(3)The investigator’s report may include recommendations on ways in which the administration, management or delivery of public sector health services, including employment matters, can be improved.

(4)Subsection (5) applies to a report provided to the chief executive after an investigation in a Service.

(5)After considering the report, the chief executive may issue a direction to the Service.

(6)The Service must comply with the direction.

(7)Subsection (8) applies if—

(a)a report is provided to the chief executive after an investigation in the department or a Service; or

(b)a copy of a report is given to the chief executive under section 200 after an investigation in a Service; or

(c)a report is provided to a health service chief executive after an investigation in the Service.

(8)After considering the report, the chief executive or the health service chief executive may take the action he or she considers appropriate in relation to the matters identified in the report.

s 199 amd 2012 No. 9 s 54 sch; 2024 No. 7 s 7

200Chief executive may request report from health service chief executives