The Andrews Labor Government is urging Victorians with a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of their community to consider serving on their local hospital board.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today announced the closing date for applications has been extended for board positions of public health services and public hospitals, Ambulance Victoria, Forensicare and Health Purchasing Victoria to 20 November 2017.
The application extension comes after the Labor Government’s Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Bill was passed in Parliament last month.
The Bill responds to recommendations from the Targeting Zero: supporting the Victorian hospital system to eliminate avoidable harm and strengthen quality of care report of the statewide review by Dr Stephen Duckett.
Hospital boards play a vital role in overseeing and managing public health services to ensure they provide high quality, timely care, and meet performance targets and expectations.
The Bill strengthened and elevated boards’ roles and responsibilities for quality and safety, and improved governance arrangements. As part of the changes, public hospital boards in rural and regional Victoria will also be paid from 2018.
We are also ensuring diversity on boards, which means better representation of women, regional Victorians, Aboriginal people, young Victorians, Victoria’s culturally diverse community, the LGBTI community and Victorians living with a disability.
More women than ever are sitting on hospital boards thanks to our push to ensure equality and diversity among Victoria’s healthcare leaders. In 2017, women now make up 54 per cent of all Victorian health service and public hospital service board members, compared to just 45 per cent in 2015.
The Labor Government is investing nearly $215 million to strengthen quality and safety in Victorian hospitals, in response to the Targeting Zero report, including the establishment of new agencies such as Safer Care Victoria and the Victorian Agency for Health Information.
Candidates for board positions can find information on how to apply at . Applications are now open until 5.00 pm on Monday 20 November 2017.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“We’re putting patient safety first and improving the standard of care for everyone – no matter where they live.”
“It is crucial that health services have strong governance structures in place. We know stronger hospital boards mean safer care for patients.”
“It’s important that hospital boards truly represent the communities they serve – and that means supporting and actively encouraging diversity. I urge more people with a passion for health to apply now.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020