ANNUAL REPORT - Northern Health

Corporate Governance
Appointment of Directors
Terms of appointment vary from one to three years, at
an annual salary set by the Minister in accordance with
guidelines issued by the Office of the Public Service
Commissioner. Note: Board changes subsequent to the end
of the financial year were as follows:
On 30 June 2010 the period of appointment of Dr
Sandra Hacker, AO expired. Dr Hacker completed six
years as Board Chair.
On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor-in-
Council appointed Mr Steve Black as Board Chair for
a period of one year expiring on 30 June 2011.
On 30 June, 2010, the period of appointment for
Mr Steve Hay expired. Mr Hay completed three years
of service.
On 20 June 2010 the period of appointment for
Ms Sabine Phillips and Mr Brian Joyce expired. On
1 July 2010, on the recommendation of the Minister,
the Governor-in-Council re-appointed Ms Phillips and
Mr Joyce for a further three year period expiring on
30 June 2013.
On 1 July, 2010, on the recommendation of the Minister,
the Governor-in-Council appointed Mr Ian Dunn and
Mr Leigh Hocking for a three year period expiring on
30 June, 2013.
Role of the Board
The role of the Board is to exercise good governance in the
achievement of Northern Health’s stated objectives. Key
aspects of this governance role include:
• setting the organisation’s strategic direction;
• establishing a policy framework (primary policy);
• appointing the Chief Executive Officer and
monitoring the performance of the Chief Executive
Officer;
• evaluating organisational performance;
• ensuring organisational accountability and
compliance with legislative requirements; and
• evaluation of the Board’s own effectiveness
in governance The Directors contribute to the
governance of Northern Health collectively as
a board through attendance at meetings, of
which there are 12 per year. Individual contribution
occurs through participation or chairmanship of
the various Committees of the Board and between
Committee meetings they are often approached to
direct or assist management in the performance of
their Northern Health functions.
Directors also give their time to attend significant functions
and Ministerial events across Northern Health. The Board
meets monthly, with 12 meetings held in the financial year
1 July, 2009 to 30 June, 2010.
Board Meetings & Access to Management
At these meetings, members of the Northern Health
Executive regularly present papers on their areas of
responsibility in the Health Service. Between meetings,
individual Board members have regular contact with
management through committee or project involvement
and are regularly contacted by the Chief Executive Officer
on major issues. Northern Health comprises five separate
campuses, and the Directors are encouraged to undertake
site visits in order to view first hand the activities and services
provided at hospitals and facilities.
Delegation of Functions
The by-laws provide for the delegation of duties by the
Board, and the Board has approved a detailed Delegations
Policy enabling designated Northern Health executives to
perform their duties through the exercise of set authorities.
The Chief Executive Officer may vary such delegations
downward during periods when, or in areas where, tighter
temporary controls are required. However delegated
authorities cannot be varied upward to the extent that they
would exceed delegations initially approved by the Board.
Board Committees
Directors lend their expertise to the operations of
Committees of the Board and in this way some of the
general functions of the Board are delegated to individuals
or small groups of Directors. During the year the following
Board Committees comprised the Directors listed:
Audit & Risk Committee
Mr Brian Joyce (Chair)
Mr Stephen Black
Dr Sandra Hacker
Ms Sabine Phillips
In addition to these board members, representatives from
management also attend meetings of the Audit & Risk
Committee.
09/10 Northern Health Annual Report 9