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HEALTH SERVICES ACT 1988


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Purpose  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Definitions  
   4.      Interpretation: health service establishment  
   5A.     Interpretation: trust instruments  
   6.      State funded residential care service  
   7.      Designated public hospital  
   8.      Amendment of Schedules  
   9.      Objectives  
   11.     Exemptions  
   11A.    Principal function of the Secretary  

   PART 2--HEALTH SERVICES DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

   12.     Preparation of draft guidelines  
   13.     Notice of draft guidelines  
   14.     Approval of guidelines  
   15.     Publication of approved guidelines  
   16.     Operation of guideline  
   17.     Revocation of guideline  

   PART 2A--PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES PRINCIPLES

   17AA.   Public hospital services principles  

   PART 3--AGENCIES

           Division 1--Public funding

   17AB.   Definition  
   17A.    Power to fund agencies  
   18.     Criteria for public funding of agencies  

           Division 1A--Case mix funding

   18A.    Definition  
   18B.    Case mix auditors  
   18C.    Functions of case mix auditors  
   18D.    Powers of case mix auditors  
   18E.    Confidentiality requirements  

           Division 2--Registration of certain agencies

   19.     Definition  
   20.     Registration as condition of funding  
   21.     Conditions of registration  
   22.     Registration  

           Division 3--Registered funded agencies

   24.     Rules of registered funded agency  
   25.     Chief executive officer  
   26.     Health service agreements  
   27.     Interim funding statements  
   28.     Limits or controls on expenditure or entering into of contracts etc.  
   29.     Power to invest  
   30.     Approved borrowers and guarantees  

           Division 4--Public hospitals

   31.     Incorporation  
   31A.    Public hospitals do not represent Crown  
   32.     Objects and functions of public hospitals  
   33.     Board of directors  
   34.     Terms and conditions of appointment  
   34A.    Eligibility for re-appointment  
   35.     Removal and resignation  
   35A.    Chairperson of board  
   36.     Annual meetings  
   37.     Procedure of board  
   38.     Directorship of the board not office of profit  
   38A.    Immunity  
   39.     Guidelines of Minister  
   40.     Validity of acts or decisions  
   40A.    Notice of proposed direction  
   40B.    Minister may issue directions  
   40C.    Appointment of delegate to board  
   40D.    Functions of delegate  
   40E.    Obligations of board to delegate  
   40F.    Strategic plans  
   40G.    When statement of priorities to be prepared  
   40H.    Content of statement of priorities  
   40I.    Functions of the chief executive officer of public hospital  

           Division 5--Public hospitals and denominational hospitals

   41.     Powers and duties  
   42.     Hospital must comply with directions of Secretary  
   43.     Public hospitals and denominational hospitals excluded from Corporations legislation  
   44.     Trustees' power to transfer certain property  
   44A.    Statement of priorities for denominational hospitals  

           Division 6--Registered community health centres

   45.     Application for registration  
   46.     Further information  
   47.     Registration criteria  
   48.     Registration  
   49.     Conditions on registration  
   50.     Refusal of registration  
   51.     Minister may determine performance standards  
   52.     Subject matter of performance standards  
   53.     Community health centre to comply with performance standards  
   54.     Secretary may give directions  
   55.     What happens if a registered community health centre fails to comply with the Secretary's direction?  
   56.     Secretary may revoke registration  
   57.     Displacement of other laws—appointment of administrator  
   57A.    Appointment of administrator  
   57B.    Cancellation of registration of community health centre  
   57C.    Application for review by VCAT  
   57D.    Register of registered community health centres  

           Division 8--Censure etc.

   58.     Powers of Minister  
   59.     Censure  
   60.     Suspension of admissions  
   61.     Appointment of administrator  
   62.     Closure  

           Division 8A--Audits of public hospitals, public health services, multi purpose services and denominational hospitals

   63.     Definition  
   63A.    Secretary may commission audits  
   63B.    Appointment or engagement of auditors  
   63C.    Powers of auditors  
   63D.    Confidentiality requirements  

           Division 9--Amalgamation of registered funded agencies

   64.     Proposal for amalgamation  
   64A.    Voluntary amalgamations  
   65.     Governor in Council may order amalgamation  

           Division 9A--Aggregation of metropolitan hospitals

   65A.    Definitions  
   65B.    Extra-territorial operation  
   65C.    Aggregation  
   65D.    New metropolitan hospital to be successor in law  
   65E.    Substitution of party to agreement  
   65F.    Old instruments  
   65FA.   Trusts in relation to aggregated hospitals  
   65G.    Proceedings  
   65H.    Interests in land  
   65I.    Amendment of Register  
   65J.    Taxes  
   65K.    Evidence  
   65L.    Transfer of aggregated hospital staff to new hospital  
   65M.    Future terms and conditions of transferred employees  
   65N.    Validity of things done under this Division  
   65O.    Operation of Division not subject to review  

           Division 9B--Public health services

   65P.    Incorporation  
   65Q.    Public health services do not represent the Crown  
   65R.    Objects of public health services  
   65S.    Board of directors  
   65T.    Directors  
   65U.    Terms and conditions  
   65V.    Removal and resignation  
   65W.    Disclosure of interest  
   65X.    Procedure of board  
   65XA.   Chief executive officer  
   65XAB.  Guidelines of Minister  
   65XB.   Functions of the chief executive officer  
   65Y.    Immunity  
   65Z.    Validity of acts or decisions  
   65ZAA.  Appointment of delegate to board  
   65ZAB.  Functions of delegate  
   65ZAC.  Obligations of board to delegate  
   65ZA.   Advisory committees  
   65ZB.   Community advisory committee  
   65ZC.   Primary care and population health advisory committee  
   65ZD.   Guidelines of Secretary  
   65ZE.   Procedure of advisory committees  
   65ZF.   Strategic plans  
   65ZFA.  When statement of priorities to be prepared  
   65ZFB.  Content of statement of priorities  
   65ZG.   Annual meetings  
   66.     Notice of proposed direction  
   66A.    Minister may issue directions  

           Division 10--Compulsory acquisition of land

   67.     Acquisition  
   68.     Acquired land to vest in the Crown  
   69.     Power to reserve and grant land to agency  

           Division 11--Leasing and licensing powers

   69AA.   Meaning of hospital site  
   69AAB.  Application of Division  
   69AAC.  Power to grant leases for up to 35 years  
   69AAD.  Power to grant licences over land  
   69AAE.  Determination to grant lease or licence under this Division to be published and tabled  
   69AAF.  Parliamentary scrutiny of the leasing and licensing of certain land  

   PART 3A--PUBLIC HOSPITAL PATIENT SERVICES AGREEMENTS

           Division 1--Definitions

   69A.    Definitions  

           Division 2--Agreements

   69B.    Minister may enter into public hospital patient services agreements  
   69C.    Matters that may be included in agreement  
   69D.    Agreement to run with land  
   69E.    Rights of access  
   69F.    Right of intervention in management  
   69G.    Application of FOI Act  
   69I.    Application of Land Act  

   PART 4--HEALTH SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS

           Division 1--Approval in principle

   70.     Application  
   71.     Criteria for grant of approval in principle  
   72.     Decision on application  
   73.     Certificate of approval in principle  
   74.     Transfer or variation of certificate  
   75.     Revocation of certificate  
   76.     Voluntary revocation of certificate  

           Division 3--Registration

   82.     Application  
   83.     Criteria for registration  
   84.     Decision on application  
   85.     Certificate of registration  
   86.     Change of directors etc.  
   87.     Annual fees  
   88.     Renewal of registration  
   89.     Criteria for renewal of registration  
   90.     Decision on application  
   91.     Certificate of renewal  
   92.     Variation of registration  
   93.     Criteria for variation of registration  
   94.     Decision on application  
   95.     Variation of registration without application  
   95A.    Cancellation of registration  
   96.     Endorsement of certificate of registration  
   97.     Legal personal representatives  

           Division 4--Censure etc.

   100.    Suspension of registration of health service establishment in relation to provision of specified prescribed health service  
   101.    Suspension of registration of health service establishment  
   102.    Revocation of registration of health service establishment  

           Division 5--General

   104.    Notification of decisions by Chief General Manager  
   104A.   Application deemed withdrawn  
   105.    Directions of Secretary  
   105A.   Directions of Secretary regarding vaccinations or immunity  
   106.    Health service establishment premises guidelines  
   107.    Approval of accreditation scheme  
   107A.   Proprietor to comply with approved accreditation scheme  
   107B.   Proprietor to notify Secretary of failure to obtain accreditation or of revocation of accreditation  
   108.    Application for approval of alterations to clinical area  
   108A.   Decision on application for approval of alterations to clinical area  
   108B.   Offence to use altered, renovated or extended clinical area without approval  
   109.    Records  
   110.    Reviews  
   110A.   Minister may grant exemption from requirements of Act  
   110B.   Provision of safe health services  
   110C.   Provision of prescribed information to the Secretary  
   110D.   Proprietor to inform Secretary of serious risk to patient health or safety  
   111.    Offences relating to carrying on a health service establishment  
   112.    Offence to provide excess beds or accommodation  
   113.    Offences relating to day procedure centres and private hospitals  
   114.    Offence to contravene condition of registration  
   115.    Offence to build etc. without approval in principle  

   PART 4A--MULTI PURPOSE SERVICES

   115A.   Declaration and incorporation  
   115B.   Multi purpose services do not represent Crown  
   115C.   Objects and functions of multi purpose services  
   115D.   Powers  
   115E.   Board of directors  
   115F.   Terms and conditions of appointment  
   115FA.  Eligibility for re-appointment  
   115G.   Removal and resignation  
   115GA.  Chairperson of board  
   115H.   Annual meetings  
   115I.   Procedure of board  
   115J.   Directorship of board not office of profit  
   115JA.  Immunity  
   115JB.  Chief executive officer  
   115JC.  Functions of the chief executive officer  
   115L.   Validity of acts or decisions  
   115M.   Multi purpose service must comply with directions of Secretary  
   115MA.  Guidelines of Minister  
   115MB.  Appointment of delegate to board  
   115MC.  Functions of delegate  
   115MD.  Obligations of board to delegate  
   115N.   Rules of multi purpose service  
   115NA.  Strategic plans  
   115O.   Service agreements  
   115P.   Health service agreements  
   115Q.   Powers of Minister  
   115R.   Appointment of administrator  
   115S.   Closure  
   115SA.  Proposal for amalgamation  
   115T.   Voluntary amalgamations  
   115U.   Governor in Council may order amalgamation  
   115V.   Transitional  

   PART 5A--QUALITY AND SAFETY

           Division 1--Chief Quality and Safety Officer

   116.    Chief Quality and Safety Officer  
   117.    Functions of the Chief Quality and Safety Officer  
   118.    Powers of the Chief Quality and Safety Officer  
   119.    Contractors  
   120.    Power of Chief Quality and Safety Officer to delegate  

           Division 2--Authorised quality and safety officers

   121.    Authorised quality and safety officers  
   122.    Identity cards  
   123.    Production of identity card  

           Division 3--Quality and safety reviews and protected quality and safety reviews

   124.    Quality and safety review  
   125.    Principles that apply to quality and safety reviews  
   126.    Scope of quality and safety review  
   127.    Notice requirements for quality and safety review  
   128.    Powers of entry  
   128A.   Power to give written direction to persons to produce documents or answer questions  
   128B.   Health service entity staff and representatives to give any reasonable assistance  
   128C.   Protection against self-incrimination  
   128D.   Quality and safety review reports and recommendations  
   128E.   Report and response to be given to the Secretary  
   128F.   Publication and response  
   128G.   Summary of protected quality and safety review  

           Division 4--Guidelines

   128H.   Chief Quality and Safety Officer may make guidelines  

           Division 5--Confidentiality

   128I.   Confidentiality obligations applying in respect of information from protected quality and safety review  
   128J.   Confidentiality of documents  
   128K.   Patient's access to medical file preserved  

           Division 6--Referral of matters

   128L.   Notice to chief psychiatrist or Chief Health Officer  

           Division 7--Liability

   128M.   Protection from liability for persons involved in quality and safety review  

           Division 8--SAPSE reviews

   128N.   SAPSE reviews  
   128O.   Scope of SAPSE review  
   128P.   Appointment of SAPSE review panel  
   128Q.   Membership of SAPSE review panel  
   128R.   Protection from liability for SAPSE review panel members  
   128S.   Protection from liability for participants in SAPSE review  
   128T.   Serious adverse patient safety event review report  
   128U.   Confidentiality of SAPSE review documents and report  
   128V.   Disclosure of report  
   128W.   Person cannot be compelled to give particular information in evidence  
   128X.   Confidentiality obligations applying to member of SAPSE review panel  
   128Y.   Identity of SAPSE review panel members not to be disclosed  
   128Z.   Restrictions on SAPSE reviews  
   128ZA.  Section 139 does not apply  

           Division 9--Duty of candour

   128ZB.  Definitions  
   128ZC.  Duty of candour  
   128ZD.  Apology not admission of liability  
   128ZE.  Non-compliance with duty of candour  
   128ZF.  Victorian Duty of Candour Guidelines  

           Division 10--Statements

   128ZG.  Meaning of relevant health service entity  
   128ZH.  Statement about failure to comply with duty of candour  
   128ZI.  Submissions on publication of statement  

   PART 6--HEALTH PURCHASING VICTORIA

           Division 1--Establishment

   129.    Establishment of Health Purchasing Victoria  
   130.    HPV represents the Crown  

           Division 2--General functions and powers

   131.    Functions of HPV  
   132.    Powers of HPV  
   133.    Factors to which HPV must have regard in performing functions and exercising powers  

           Division 3--Purchasing policies

   134.    Purchasing policies  
   134A.   HPV may exempt public hospitals from policies  
   134B.   Procedure for making and notification of purchasing policies  
   134C.   Disallowance of purchasing policies  

           Division 4--Membership and procedure

   134D.   Members of HPV  
   134E.   Terms and conditions  
   134F.   Removal and resignation  
   134G.   Procedure of HPV  
   134H.   Validity of HPV decisions  
   134I.   Members' pecuniary interests  
   134J.   Improper use of information  
   134K.   Delegation  

           Division 5--General

   134L.   Directions of the Minister or Secretary  
   134M.   Strategic plans  
   134N.   Existing supply contracts  
   134O.   HPV—trade practices  

   PART 6B--INFORMATION SHARING FOR QUALITY AND SAFETY PURPOSES

   134V.   Definitions  
   134W.   Meaning of quality and safety purpose  
   134X.   Disclosure of confidential information to Secretary or quality and safety body for a quality and safety purpose  
   134Y.   Secretary or quality and safety body may collect and use confidential information for a quality and safety purpose  
   134Z.   Secretary or quality and safety body may appoint entity as special adviser for quality and safety purposes  
   134ZA.  Collection, use and disclosure of confidential information if special adviser appointed  
   134ZB.  Minister may authorise collection, use and disclosure of confidential information between health service entities  
   134ZC.  Collection, use or disclosure authorised to extent necessary for purpose  
   134ZD.  Collection, use or disclosure in good faith protected  

   PART 6C--ELECTRONIC PATIENT HEALTH INFORMATION SHARING SYSTEM

           Division 1--Definitions

   134ZE.  Definitions  

           Division 2--Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System

   134ZF.  Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System  
   134ZG.  Content of Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System  
   134ZH.  Notice of health information required to be given to the Secretary  
   134ZI.  Health information collected after publication of notice  
   134ZJ.  Direction to comply with notice  
   134ZK.  Extension of time to comply with notice  
   134ZL.  No consent required  

           Division 3--Access to the Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System

   134ZM.  Access to, use and disclosure of information held in Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System for provision of medical treatment  
   134ZN.  Access to and use of information for purposes of establishing and maintaining Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System  
   134ZO.  Secretary authorised to access Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System and use and disclose specified patient health information  

           Division 4--Offences

   134ZP.  Offence of unauthorised access to Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System  
   134ZQ.  Offence of access to Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System for unauthorised purpose  
   134ZR.  Offence of unauthorised use or disclosure of specified patient health information  

           Division 5--Disapplication of the Freedom of Information Act 1982

   134ZS.  Freedom of Information Act 1982 does not apply  

           Division 6--Privacy Management Framework

   134ZT.  Minister must establish Privacy Management Framework  
   134ZU.  Compliance with Privacy Management Framework  

           Division 7--Independent review of this Part

   134ZV.  Independent review by expert panel  
   134ZW.  Appointment of expert panel  

   PART 7--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

           Division 1--Hospitals and charities fund

   135.    Definition  
   136.    Hospitals and Charities Fund  
   137.    Payments out of Fund to agencies  

           Division 2--Payment of fees to certain agencies

   138.    Payment of fees  

           Division 2A--Conditions ofcertain public service staff

   138A.   Definition  
   138B.   Remuneration and allowances  
   138C.   No compensation payable  

           Division 3--General

   139.    Quality assurance  
   140.    Proclaimed services  
   141.    Confidentiality  
   142.    Agencies etc. incorporated under other Acts  
   143.    Delegation by Minister  
   144.    Inquiry by Secretary  
   145.    Authorised officers  
   146.    Identity cards  
   147.    Powers of authorised officers  
   147A.   Entry to unregistered premises—search warrant  
   148.    Immunity  
   149.    Offence to obstruct or hinder  
   150.    Impersonating etc. an authorised officer  
   151.    False and misleading statements  
   152.    Defacing documents etc.  
   152A.   Offences by bodies corporate etc.  
   153.    Police assistance  
   154.    Service of documents  
   155.    Infringement notice  
   156.    Power to bring proceedings  
   156A.   Extension of time limit for proceedings for certain offences  
   157.    Evidentiary  
   157AA.  Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction—section 138C  
   157A.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction—section 126A  
   157B.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction—section 18F  
   157C.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction—sections 17AA, 40J or 65O  
   157D.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction—section 115K  
   157E.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction  
   157F.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction  
   157G.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction  
   157H.   Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction  
   158.    Regulations  

   PART 8--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

   159.    Saving of Hospitals and Charities (Fees) Regulations 1986  
   159A.   Saving of hospital by-laws  
   160.    Private hospitals etc. registered under Health Act 1958  
   161.    Existing nursing homes and hostels not registered under the Health Act 1958  
   162.    Applications under Health Act 1958  
   163.    Building approval in force under Health Act 1958  
   164.    Transitional provision for Commonwealth building approval  
   165.    Residential statements  
   166.    Transitional provision for public hospitals  
   166A.   Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute  
   166B.   Fairfield Hospital  
   167.    Tweddle Baby Hospital  
   168.    Transitional provision for community health centres  
   169.    Transitional provision for boards of public hospitals  
   170.    New boards of certain public hospitals  
   171.    Transitional provisions for boards of community health centres  
   172.    Transitional provision for chief executive officers  
   173.    Bodies incorporated under Hospitals and Charities Act 1958  
   174.    Administrators  
   175.    Guarantees  
   176.    St Andrew's Hospital  
   177.    Transitional provisions (1998 amendments)  
   178.    Saving provision: validity of things done by trustees  
   178A.   Transitional provisions—Health Records Act 2001  
   178B.   Transitional provisions—registered community health centres  
   178C.   Transitional provisions—Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Act 2017  

   PART 9--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO METROPOLITAN HEALTH SERVICES

           Division 1--Preliminary

   179.    Definitions  
   180.    Extra-territorial operation  

           Division 2--Establishment of metropolitan health services

   181.    Order establishing a metropolitan health service  
   182.    Establishment of first board  
   183.    Appointment of first chief executive officer  
   184.    First by-laws of metropolitan health service  
   185.    Limited period to make Orders  

           Division 5--Transfer of property, rights and liabilities of metropolitan hospitalson cancellation of incorporation

   193.    Definitions  
   194.    Cancellation of incorporation of metropolitan hospital  
   195.    Transfer from metropolitan hospital to metropolitan health service  
   196.    New metropolitan health service to be successor in law  
   197.    Substitution of party to agreement  
   198.    Old instruments  
   199.    Proceedings  
   200.    Interests in land  
   201.    Amendment of Register  
   202.    Taxes  
   203.    Evidence  
   204.    Transfer of hospital employees to new health service  
   205.    Future terms and conditions of transferred employees  

           Division 6--Transfer of property, rights and liabilities before cancellation of incorporation of metropolitan hospital

   206.    Definitions  
   207.    Division to prevail  
   208.    Transfer Order  
   209.    Property rights and liabilities transferred to metropolitan health service or community health centre  
   210.    Substitution of party to agreement  
   211.    Proceedings  
   212.    Interests in land  
   213.    Old instruments  
   214.    Trusts in respect of metropolitan hospitals existing on 31 July 1995  
   215.    Trusts in respect of metropolitan hospitals created on or after 1 August 1995  
   216.    Amendment of the Register  
   217.    Taxes  
   218.    Evidence  
   219.    Staff transfer date  
   220.    List of staff  
   221.    Transfer of staff  
   222.    Future terms and conditions of transferred employees  
   223.    Abolition of metropolitan hospital  
   224.    Effect of Order  

           Division 7--General

   225.    Validity of things done under this Part  
   226.    Operation of provisions not subject to review  
   227.    Application of property cy-pres not affected  
   228.    Application to trusts whenever created  
   229.    Saving of quality assurance bodies  

   PART 10--FURTHER TRANSITIONALS

   230.    Transitional provision for boards of community health centres  

   PART 11--DEEMED PUBLICATION

   231.    Deemed publication of Order in Council  

   PART 12--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

   232.    Definitions  
   233.    Extra-territorial operation  
   234.    Public health service same body as former metropolitan health service  
   235.    Certain public health services same body as certain former public hospitals  
   236.    First directors of boards of certain public health service  
   237.    Old instruments referring to metropolitan health service  
   238.    Old instruments referring to public hospitals  
   239.    Order establishing a public health service  
   240.    Establishment of first board of certain public health services  
   241.    First by-laws  
   242.    Registrar of Titles  
   243.    Operation of provisions not subject to review  

   PART 13--RE-ORGANISATION OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

   244.    Definitions  
   245.    Extra-territorial operation  
   246.    Part to prevail  
   247.    Minister to consider report  
   248.    Order in Council  
   249.    Amendment of Schedules if new agency established  
   250.    Establishment of first board  
   251.    First by-laws of agency  
   252.    Appointment of first chief executive officer  
   253.    Cancellation of agency's incorporation  
   254.    Vesting of property, rights and liabilities  
   255.    Substitution of party to agreement  
   256.    Proceedings  
   257.    Interests in land  
   258.    Old instruments  
   259.    Taxes  
   260.    Evidence  
   261.    Saving of quality assurance bodies  
   262.    Staff transfer date  
   263.    List of staff  
   264.    Transfer of staff  
   265.    Future terms and conditions of transferred employees  
   266.    Trusts in respect of transferring agencies  
   267.    Application of property cy-pres not affected  
   268.    Application to trusts whenever created  
   269.    Validity of things done under this Part  
   270.    Operation of provisions not subject to review  
   271.    Appointment of administrator  
   272.    Functions of administrator  
   273.    Direction of Secretary  
           SCHEDULE 1
           SCHEDULE 1A
           SCHEDULE 2
           SCHEDULE 3
           SCHEDULE 4
           SCHEDULE 5
           SCHEDULE 6


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