Roles of the board and executive setting the safety culture; • organisation’s (Standard 1, Item 1.2: The board, chief executive ensuring adequate resources are available • officer and/or other higher level of governance within for the implementation of safety and quality a health service organisation taking responsibility for systems and initiatives by the organisation; patient safety and quality of care) and While the board and senior executives together play allocating time at its meetings to discuss • a role in planning and reviewing integrated safety and quality issues. governance systems that promote patient safety and The governance functions are fulfilled by: board’s quality, their roles differ. The board provide ensuring accountability; oversight by setting the direction for the • organisation, ensuring accountability and shaping monitoring safety and quality performance; • culture. Senior executives are responsible for overseeing compliance with the • implementing the strategic direction set by the board statutory and regulatory organisation’s and senior executive, and for reporting on the obligations; and performance of the organisation to the board. ensuring that structures and systems are in • The board is responsible for providing leadership place to deliver health services. and direction to the health service organisation it governs, and is legally responsible for the overall The board delegates the development and performance of its health service organisation. monitoring of safety and quality plans. The overarching framework should align with the strategic direction and support the development of The board provides leadership for the plans that incorporate achievable and measurable organisation by: goals, with accountability for actions setting goals; • clearly explained. Figure1: Complementary safety and quality roles of the board and senior executives
Roles of the board and executive (Standard 1, Item 1.2: The board, chief executive officer and/or other higher level of governance within a health service organisation taking responsibility for patient safety and quality of care) While the board and senior executives together play a role in planning and reviewing integrated governance systems that promote patient safety and quality, their roles differ. The board provide oversight by setting the direction for the organisation, ensuring accountability and shaping culture. Senior executives are responsible for implementing the strategic direction set by the board and senior executive, and for reporting on the performance of the organisation to the board. The board is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the health service organisation it governs, and is legally responsible for the overall performance of its health service organisation. The board provides leadership for the organisation by: • setting goals; • setting the organisation’s safety culture; • ensuring adequate resources are available for the implementation of safety and quality systems and initiatives by the organisation; and • allocating time at its meetings to discuss safety and quality issues. The board’s governance functions are fulfilled by: • ensuring accountability; • monitoring safety and quality performance; • overseeing compliance with the organisation’s statutory and regulatory obligations; and • ensuring that structures and systems are in place to deliver health services. The board delegates the development and monitoring of safety and quality plans. The overarching framework should align with the strategic direction and support the development of plans that incorporate achievable and measurable goals, with accountability for actions clearly explained. Figure1: Complementary safety and quality roles of the board and senior executives
Guide-to-the-National-Safety-and-Quality-Health-Service-Standards-for-health-service-organisation-boards.docx