12Powers and functions of Commissioner

12 Powers and functions of Commissioner (1) The Commissioner has the following functions: (a) to inquire into and report on any matter relating to health services or community services on receiving a complaint or on a reference from the Minister or the Legislative Assembly; (b) to encourage and assist users and providers to resolve complaints directly with each other; (c) to conciliate and investigate complaints; (d) to record all complaints received by the Commissioner or shown on returns supplied by providers and to maintain a central register of those complaints; (e) to suggest ways of improving health services and community services and promoting community and health rights and responsibilities; (f) to review and identify the causes of complaints and to: (i) suggest ways to remove, resolve and minimise those causes; and (ii) suggest ways of improving policies and procedures; and

Health and Community Services Complaints Act 1998 8 (iii) detect and review trends in the delivery of health services and community services; (g) to consider, promote and recommend ways to improve the health and community services complaints system; (h) to assist providers to develop procedures to effectively resolve complaints; (j) to provide information, education and advice in relation to: (i) this Act; and (ii) the Code; and (iii) the procedures for resolving complaints; (k) to provide information, advice and reports to: (i) the Boards; and (ii) the purchasers of community services or health services; and (iii) the Minister; and (iv) the Legislative Assembly; (m) to collect, and publish at regular intervals, information concerning the operation of this Act; (n) to consult with: (i) providers; and (ii) organisations that have an interest in the provision of health services and community services; and (iii) organisations that represent the interests of users; (p) to consider action taken by providers where complaints are found to be justified; (q) to ensure, as far as practicable, that persons who wish to make a complaint are able to do so; (r) to consult and co-operate with any public authority that has a function to protect the rights of individuals in the Territory consistent with the Commissioner's functions under this Act.

Health and Community Services Complaints Act 1998 9 (2) The functions in subsection (1) are in addition to any other functions conferred on the Commissioner by this or any other Act. (3) The Commissioner has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done in connection with the performance of his or her functions.