Gaines, Peake to review health amid governance concerns

A panel to review governance in the state's health system will include the premier's former deputy chief of staff and the former head of Victorian health who resigned weeks after a quarantine inquiry.

There have been mounting concerns about the effectiveness of governance in the state's health system, including in Monday’s edition of Business News magazine.

New Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson announced the review today, to be headed by EY partner Kym Peake, a former secretary of Victoria’s health department.

Ms Peake left that role in late 2020, weeks after the state's inquiry into quarantine following an outbreak from a hotel which led to a second COVID wave and substantial lockdowns in that state.

She had also served as deputy secretary in the state's Department of Premier and Cabinet and in Victoria's education department.

Former deputy chief of staff to Premier Mark McGowan, Jo Gaines, will also sit on the panel.

The state's health system is split into seven health service provider organisations which operate under an act established in 2016, including the three metropolitan health services.

Others comprise WA Country Health Service, the Child and Adolescent Health Service, PathWest and Health Support Services.

The chief executives of those services are picked by the director general of the Department of Health, while the boards are selected by ministers.

But there have been concerns that the boards have limited authority, and executives still report to central office.

In Monday’s edition of Business News magazine, medical professionals said governance arrangements needed an overhaul.

“The boards are ministerial picks, they’re not skill-based, [and] they’re only allowed to have strategy and policy consistent with the overall health department,” Australian Medical Association WA president Mark Duncan-Smith said.

“And the chief executive is employed by the director general of health (not the board).

“What worse design of corporate governance could you imagine?”

The two other panel members are Murdoch University chancellor Gary Smith and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital executive director David Rosengren.

Ms Sanderson said the review would be independent.

"We are extremely fortunate to have four highly skilled and experienced experts in their fields to report on whether the current legislation is supporting the McGowan government to provide safe, high-quality, sustainable health care for all Western Australians,” she said.

"The legislation has been in place for five years so it is timely that a full review be undertaken so that it can hear the views of clinicians, staff, consumers and carers.”