9Functions of the Commission

9 Functions of the Commission

(1) The Commission has the following functions: (a) to promote, support and encourage the implementation of arrangements, programs and initiatives relating to health care safety and quality matters; (b) to collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information relating to health care safety and quality matters; (c) to advise the Minister about health care safety and quality matters; (d) to publish (whether on the internet or otherwise) reports and papers relating to health care safety and quality matters; (e) to formulate, in writing, standards relating to health care safety and quality matters; (f) to formulate, in writing, guidelines relating to health care safety and quality matters; (g) to formulate, in writing, indicators relating to health care safety and quality matters; (h) to promote, support and encourage the implementation of: (i) standards formulated under paragraph (e); and (ii) guidelines formulated under paragraph (f); (i) to promote, support and encourage the use of indicators formulated under paragraph (g); (j) to monitor the implementation and impact of: (i) standards formulated under paragraph (e); and (ii) guidelines formulated under paragraph (f); (k) to advise: (i) the Minister; and (ii) each participating State/Territory Health Minister; about which standards formulated under paragraph (e) are suitable for implementation as national clinical standards; (l) to formulate model national schemes that: (i) provide for the accreditation of organisations that provide health care services; and (ii) relate to health care safety and quality matters; (m) to consult and co‑operate with other persons, organisations and governments on health care safety and quality matters; (n) such functions (if any) as are specified in a written instrument given by the Minister to the Commission Board Chair; (o) to promote, support, encourage, conduct and evaluate training programs for purposes in connection with the performance of any of the Commission’s functions; (p) to promote, support, encourage, conduct and evaluate research for purposes in connection with the performance of any of the Commission’s functions; (q) to do anything incidental to or conducive to the performance of any of the above functions.

Note 1: See also section 57 (compliance with standards and guidelines is voluntary).

Note 2: Sections 10 and 11 impose consultation requirements on the Commission.

(2) Before making an instrument under paragraph (1)(n), the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister. Legislative instruments (3) A standard formulated under paragraph (1)(e) is not a legislative instrument. (4) Guidelines formulated under paragraph (1)(f) are not a legislative instrument. (5) An indicator formulated under paragraph (1)(g) is not a legislative instrument. (6) A model national scheme formulated under paragraph (1)(l) is not a legislative instrument. (7) An instrument made under paragraph (1)(n) is not a legislative instrument.