Principle 4: The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health system is held accountable for improving outcomes for Aboriginal people at each level of decision making and governance

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What is the aim of this principle?

This principle aims to:

  • embed system accountability for Aboriginal health into ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health clinical, governance, performance and accountability mechanisms, including accountability for framework principles
  • strengthen ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health systems and mechanisms to increase accountability for Aboriginal health, including strengthening the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Performance Framework, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Aboriginal Health for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health services and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health funded services, and the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Corporate Governance Compendium
  • identify where ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health can be held accountable through independent and Aboriginal-led bodies, including ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø CTG accountability mechanisms
  • embed Aboriginal voices in the accountability and governance mechanisms for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health, including Aboriginal people being included in performance, evaluation and monitoring processes
  • ensure ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health is held accountable for improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people, in line with its purpose to provide safe, high-quality and compassionate health care to all ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø residents.

“ Funding for Aboriginal health needs to be equitable. It needs to go where the needs are.â€

ACCHO CEO,
Community Controlled Consultation

Why is this important?

Strong accountability mechanisms are needed to drive and implement change. This includes being transparent and responsive, and putting in place effective ‘checks and balances’ to ensure that power is being used responsibly and the public interest is being served.

It is important that the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health system is held accountable for improving Aboriginal health, which is ‘everyone’s business’ and responsibility.

For this principle to be effectively implemented, it is critical that ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health:

  • doesn’t place the accountability burden onto Aboriginal ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health staff and services and ensures that the accountability sits with the entire ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health system,
  • is held accountable to the independent ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-wide Aboriginal accountability mechanism for CTG, which is being developed, established and supported through AAºÚÁϳԹÏÍø,
  • is transparent with Aboriginal stakeholders about matters that affect Aboriginal health, including being transparent on how funding is allocated,
  • implements CTG Priority Reform 4 ‘Shared access to data and information at a regional level,
  • uses existing accountability and performance mechanisms for where there are performance measures within ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health services relating to Aboriginal health,
  • embeds Aboriginal people into ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health performance and accountability mechanisms by identifying roles and positions in existing governance structures, including Ministry of Health Executive Governance and Performance Committees and LHD, SHN and Pillar Boards.

What does success look like for the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health system?

Aboriginal health is strongly embedded into ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health accountability and performance mechanisms, to ensure that ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health services are held accountable for Aboriginal health outcomes.

Aboriginal people are included in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health performance and accountability governance structures and are enabled to co-create what KPIs and accountability mechanisms are for Aboriginal health in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health is held accountable to an independent statewide Aboriginal Accountability Mechanism for the implementation of CTG and for achieving Aboriginal health outcomes.

“ It is critical that the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health system is held accountable for ensuring Aboriginal people are healthy and well.â€

ACCHO CEO,
Community Controlled Consultation

What does success look like for this principle at each level of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health decision making and governance?​

What does this look like in practice?

Current as at: Friday 27 September 2024
Contact page owner: Centre for Aboriginal Health