Omeo District Health Annual Report 2005/06

Role of the Board of Management
The Board of a public hospital is responsible
for its governance. It is accountable to both
Government and the community that it
serves for ensuring the provision of agreed
services within the resources with which they
are provided. The Board must therefore be
responsive to its staff and the total
community and have a capacity to address a
wide range of policy and management issues.
To fulfil its role, the Board should have
members with a range of appropriate
expertise and experience. The Board adheres
to a Code of Conduct that outlines the role of
governance and conduct for members.
The functions of the Board of Management as
determined by the Health Services Act 1988
are:
‣ To oversee and manage the hospital;
and
‣ To ensure the services provided by
the Hospital comply with the
requirements of the Act and the aims
of the organisation.
Governance is achieved by ensuring the
health needs of our community are met
through:
Strategic Planning
The Board ensures the visionary direction of
the hospital is focused and is able to be
implemented and aligned to the mission
statement of the hospital.
Local Policy
To reflect the current standards of service
delivered through timely and appropriate
policy setting.
Effective Management
The Board is responsible for the appointment
of the Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Nursing who, in turn, are responsible for the
effective management and operation of Omeo
District Health. Mr Peter Abraham ceased
his contract on 28 th April 2006 and took up a
CEO position at Boort District Hospital. A
recruitment agency (Health Recruitment
Specialists) was retained to assist in the
recruitment of a new CEO. The selection
panel consisted of Mr Rod O’Connell
(President), Ms Louise Armit, Ms Jeannette
Molloy and Mr Gary Templeton (CEO of
Gippsland Southern Health Services), and the
successful candidate was offered a contract of
employment to commence in August 2006. In
the interim, Mr Darren Fitzpatrick undertook
the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer /
Director of Nursing.
Funding Service Agreements
The Board endorses plans, strategies and
monitors the performance of ODH through
appropriate budgetary processes. Board of
Management members are appointed by the
Governor-in-Council, upon the
recommendations of the Minister for Health,
Hon. Bronwyn Pike, MP.
In accordance with the By-Laws of Omeo
District Health, there are twelve community
positions on the Board of Management.
Members of the Board of Management act in
a voluntary capacity and have not received
fees in the 2005 / 2006 financial year.
Pecuniary Interest
It is an obligation for Board Members to
declare a pecuniary interest when Board
discussions include matters in which they
have a direct, or indirect, financial or other
interest. There were no occasions during the
year when Board Members declared a
pecuniary interest in connection with Board
deliberations.
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