Table 2 Description of sectors and system elements in the multisectoral health system
Sector | System elements | Description |
|---|---|---|
Federal government: health sector | The Department of Health of the Australian Government | Federal: Department of Health portfolios included population health (health promotion; HP), pharmaceutical services, medical and dental services, acute care, primary healthcare, private health, infrastructure, regulation, safety, quality, workforce capacity, biosecurity, and sport and recreation |
Medicare Locals (changed to Primary Health Networks in July 2015) were established through the Department of Health, Australian Government and had a large geographical area that included geographical boundaries of the Local Health Network (state managed regional entities as described below) | Regional: Medicare Locals were federally funded regional institutions responsible for priorities and reporting with respect to the coordination of primary healthcare services, addressing local healthcare priorities, supporting health professionals, and improving access to primary care | |
State government: health sector | SA Health (Government of South Australia health department) | State and regional: SA Health was responsible for public hospitals (with a joint agreement with the Australian Government), health service delivery, public health (environmental health, epidemiology, communicable disease control, HP), pathology services, drug and alcohol services, dental services, GP Plus health centres, emergency and ambulance, and organ donation |
Local Health Network (state-managed regional primary healthcare services) | State and regional: Under the direction of SA Health, Local Health Networks managed acute, sub-acute and mental health services delivered in public hospitals and GP Plus Centres. Networks were defined geographically (e.g. Southern Adelaide, Northern Adelaide) or functionally (Women’s and Children’s Health) | |
State government: other sectors | State government departments | State and regional: Services and resources in areas such as education, family support, sport, recreation, and transportation |
Local governments | Local Councils had co-terminus boundaries with the Local Health Network | Local: Local Councils were the legislated public health authority for their geographical area with responsibilities to preserve, protect and promote health, ensure adequate sanitation measures are in place, identify public health risks, respond to impacts upon public health, prepare public health plans, and provide immunisation services |
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) | Three types of NGOs were identified as elements of the system: professional associations, health service delivery organisations, and intersectoral networks | State: professionals associations State and regional: health service delivery organisations (e.g. sexual health) Regional and local: intersectoral networks of regional and community service delivery organisations |