Governance
Corporate Governance
Ambulance Service Advisory Council
Previously the Ambulance Service Board was responsible for corporate governance practices. The Board carried out all its functions, responsibilities and obligations in accordance with the Ambulance Services Act 1990 and Regulations 2000. The Act was repealed on 17 March 2006 and the Ambulance Services Advisory Council was established.
The role of the Ambulance Service Advisory Council is to provide advice to the Director-General Health in relation to the provision of ambulance services. The Council does not have a managerial or operational role. The governance functions of the former Board are now carried out by the Chief Executive. Council members participate in the activities of governance committees established by the Chief Executive.
As part of Ambulance’s commitment to the highest standard of conduct, the Advisory Council members and the Executive team adopted a Code of Ethical Behaviour as a guide to carrying out their duties and responsibilities. The Code covers such matters as: responsibilities to the community; compliance with laws and regulations; and ethical responsibilities.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
Ambulance has a commitment to provide ethical practices for the community. The Code of Conduct describes the values and ethical framework that guides the actions, decisions and behaviours of the organisation. All staff members are required to behave in a manner consistent with the stated values and standards and report any suspected corrupt conduct or any departure from the Code by themselves or others.
Professional Standards and Conduct Unit
The Professional Standards and Conduct Unit (PSCU) is responsible for strengthening ethical governance and managing disciplinary matters, investigations, serious grievances and protected disclosures.
A designated contact number for complaints is available to staff and members of the public 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and is directly responsible for ensuring that appropriate action is being taken to resolve serious complaints. More information on making a complaint can be found here.
Clinical Governance
Ambulance works closely with NSW Health’s Quality and Patient Safety Branch to comply with requirements for the formal establishment of a Clinical Governance function and associated standards related to incident reporting, clinical quality, and patient safety and has had such functionality in place for several years.
Policies addressing the management of serious incidents are in place and Ambulance utilises the electronic Incident Information Management System (IIMS) to notify, classify and monitor incidents. Ambulance is responsive to incidents and vigilant in monitoring the outcomes of reviews with upwards of 80 per cent of recommendations arising from reviews of serious incidents being implemented.
As part of Ambulance’s commitment to the highest standard of conduct, the Board members and the Executive team adopted a Code of Ethical Behaviour as a guide to carrying out their duties and responsibilities. The Code covers such matters as: responsibilities to the community; compliance with laws and regulations; and ethical responsibilities.