Queensland Consolidated Acts

HOSPITAL AND HEALTH BOARDS ACT 2011 - SECT 13

13 Guiding principles

(1) The following principles are intended to guide the achievement of this Act’s object—

(a) the best interests of users of public sector health services should be the main consideration in all decisions and actions under this Act;

(b) there is a commitment to ensuring quality and safety in the delivery of public sector health services;

(c) there is a commitment to achieving health equity for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people;

(d) there is a commitment to the delivery of responsive, capable and culturally competent health care to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people;

(e) providers of public sector health services should work with providers of private sector health services to achieve coordinated, integrated health service delivery across both sectors;

(f) there should be responsiveness to the needs of users of public sector health services about the delivery of public sector health services;

(g) information about the delivery of public sector health services should be provided to the community in an open and transparent way;

(h) there is a commitment to ensuring that places at which public sector health services are delivered are places at which—

(i) employees are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination; and

(ii) employees are respected and diversity is embraced; and

(iii) there is a positive workplace culture based on mutual trust and respect;

(i) there should be openness to complaints from users of public sector health services and a focus on dealing with the complaints quickly and transparently;

(j) there should be engagement with clinicians, consumers, community members and local primary healthcare organisations in planning, developing and delivering public sector health services;

(k) opportunities for research and development relevant to the delivery of public sector health services should be promoted;

(l) opportunities for training and education relevant to the delivery of public sector health services should be promoted.

(2) A person must have regard to the guiding principles when performing a function or exercising a power under this Act.