Frequently asked questions
The CAHS Board is required by the Health Services Act 2016 (WA) and is a ‘governance’ Board with responsibility for oversight of all the activities of CAHS.
The Board and the Executive work hand in hand but their roles are completely different.
The Board governs CAHS be establishing its strategic direction and broad policies; supporting the Chief Executive; ensuring the availability of adequate resources; and accounting to the Minister and the general public for CAHS’ performance in relation to its culture, its finances, the safety and quality of its services and its management of risk.
The Board asks questions, requests information and monitors the implementation of the Strategic Objectives by the Executive. Broadly speaking, the Board holds the Executive to account.
The Executive is made up of the directors who are responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the health service in accordance with the Strategic Plan, the Operational Plan and the Annual Budget set by the Board.
There are four standing committees of the Board, which receive assurance from the Executive and management on their portfolio areas.
The committees are:
There is also the Clinical Advisory Committee. This Committee is comprised of staff from all over CAHS, and advises the Board on matters relating to the health service as a whole.
The members of the committees are also Board members.
Board members receive a payment on the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner and determined by the Minister.
Board members who are employed by other health service providers or who are on the public payroll are not eligible for remuneration.
The payment rates as at 1 July 2019 are:
- Board chair: $76,230 per annum
- Board deputy chair: $41,926 per annum
- Board member: $41,926 per annum
Board members are appointed by the Minister for Health on the advice of the Director General. They are paid by each health service provider but are not employees.
The legislation provides the minimum level of skills and the skill mix of Board members.
The Minister must appoint at minimum three health professionals to the board, two of whom must currently be practising.
Other board members need to hold one or more of the following qualifications, skills and experience:
- expertise and experience in health management, business management, financial management and human resource management
- legal expertise
- expertise and experience in the provision of clinical and other health services
- expertise and experience in primary healthcare
- expertise in the education and training of health professionals
- knowledge and understanding of the community serviced by the HSP
- experience as a consumer of health services or a carer
- any other background, skills, expertise, knowledge or experience appropriate to health service delivery.
Yes, the Board holds yearly performance reviews of itself, its committees, and its members. As well, the Department of Health requires an annual attestation statement, to make sure the Board is performing its functions, and performs a separate governance review every three years.
Board members are expected to adhere to the Board’s Code of Conduct, which is reviewed annually.
The Minister is empowered to remove Board members on the following grounds:
- neglect of duty
- misconduct or incompetence
- mental or physical incapacity, other than temporary illness, impairing the performance of the board member’s duties
- absence, without leave, from three consecutive ordinary board meetings of which the board member has had notice.
The Health Service Provider Boards Governance policy states:
Appointment of board chairs and board members is staggered to ensure business continuity and stability of the boards as terms of appointment expire. For example, a combination of one, two or three year terms may be utilised at the discretion of the Minister. The maximum total length of appointment permissible for a board chair or board member is nine years, with each term of appointment to be no more than three years as set out in section 76 of the Health Services Act 2016 (WA).
The Board has a range of powers, including those defined in the Health Services Act 2016 (WA).
The Board does all things it needs to do to govern CAHS including to:
- act on behalf of CAHS in relation to entering into contracts etc.
- set the overall strategic direction of CAHS
- set the values of the organisation
- monitor CAHS’ performance against objectives set by the State and Commonwealth Governments and the Board itself
- provide effective financial stewardship
- ensure high quality, effective and patient-focused services
- uphold high standards of governance and personal conduct
- monitor the organisational culture of CAHS
- engage with staff and stakeholders.
CAHS also has an Authorisations and Delegations Schedule which the Board has approved and which sets out which of its powers it has delegated to various members of the CAHS staff.
The Board views itself as adding value to CAHS through its establishment of a clear direction, its setting of CAHS Values and its oversight of the operations of the Executive. It would like CAHS staff to see it in this way.
CAHS Board acts within all of the CAHS values but most strongly represents Accountability and Excellence. The Board is the body at CAHS most accountable to the Minister and to the general public of Western Australia for the provision of safe and high quality health services to our children and adolescents throughout Western Australia.
Yes. If you have an issue or concern that has not been resolved at your local level, you can email the Board Chair. Please be aware that unless you specify otherwise, the matter may be raised with the Chief Executive.