3AOutline of role and principles of Commission and related government agencies in health care system

3A Outline of role and principles of Commission and related government agencies in health care system

3A Outline of role and principles of Commission and related government agencies in health care system

(1) This section provides an outline of the Commission’s role in relation to government agencies with functions in connection with the health care system.

(2) Health Care Complaints Commission The Commission is an independent body with responsibility for dealing with complaints under this Act, with particular emphasis on the investigation and prosecution of serious complaints in consultation with appropriate professional councils.

(3) Health Secretary The Health Secretary is responsible for—

(a) facilitating the achievement and maintenance of adequate standards of patient care within public hospitals and in relation to other services provided by the public health system, and

(b) inquiring into the administration, management and services of public health organisations and arranging, as appropriate, inspection of such organisations, and

(c) developing and overseeing the implementation of health policy and regulation and responding to policy and regulatory issues as they emerge.

(4) Public health organisations conducting health services Public health organisations have the functions set out in Chapter 2 of the Health Services Act 1997. They are responsible for achieving and maintaining adequate standards of patient care and services, which may include a role in resolving complaints at a local level. Their role involves liaising with the Commission and professional councils.

(5) Registration authorities Registration authorities are responsible for the registration of health professionals.

(5A) Professional councils Professional councils are responsible for the management of complaints in conjunction with the Commission and protecting the public through promoting and maintaining professional standards.

(5B) Principles The Commission and other government agencies with functions in connection with health care complaints under this Act are, in carrying out those functions, to have regard to the following principles—

(a) the Commission and those government agencies are to be accountable to the New South Wales community,