Ministerial directives
Treasurer’s Instructions 903(12) require disclosure of information on any ministerial directives relevant to the setting or achievement of desired outcomes or operational objectives, investment activities and financing activities.
Although no ministerial directives were issued for EMHS in 2021-22, the EMHS Board released a Statement of Intent in July 2021 in response to the Minister for Health’s Statement of Expectations regarding the priorities and accountabilities of the EMHS Board.
Both of these documents are publicly available on the EMHS website.
The Board’s Statement of Intent outlines a commitment in preparedness and management of the COVID-19 pandemic response; an ongoing focus on safety and quality; mental health; workforce safety, wellbeing and engagement; commitment to permanent employment; implementation of the recommendations of the SHR; research and innovation; implementation of the Government’s election commitments; key EMHS workstreams; hospital performance targets; Care Opinion; and financial performance.
EMHS continued to progress key election commitments during 2021-22, which include the Armadale Mental Health Emergency Centre (MHEC), RPH Innovation Hub and Byford Health Hub.
Youth share vision of health hub ideal
EMHS is responsible for planning and delivering the Byford Health Hub — a 2021 State Government election commitment to help meet the health and social needs of the rapidly growing Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire.
The concept for the Byford Health Hub is to bring a mix of health and social services under the one roof.
At a special hackathon in April 2022, a group of final-year high school students from Byford Secondary College were asked to consider how the health hub might ensure youth-friendly access for younger members of the community.
Students were given pre-reading material and a journey-mapping activity, which involved dividing into teams and workshopping ideas which they presented to a group of invited guests and judges.
The students’ vision included:
- a mix of health and wellbeing services, conveniently located in a bright and welcoming environment
- a setting that incorporated green spaces and that integrated with recreational and other amenities
- services with digital functionality that provided flexible appointment times and affordable care
- provision for consumers to choose their clinicians
- services staffed with relatable clinicians who provided care that was free of judgement.
The health hub is in line with the recommendations of the SHR, which sets direction to drive a cultural shift away from acute hospital-based care to prevention and seamless access to services at home and in the community.