Foundations, boards and committees
Non-departmental government entities, known as statutory agencies, have been established under a range of Acts and subordinate legislation to meet a specific state or public purpose. Non-departmental entities that exist within the public health system in Queensland are outlined below. The guiding legislation is also referenced here.
- Health and Wellbeing Queensland
- Hospital and Health Services
- Hospital foundations
- Mental health authorities
- Ministerial advisory councils
- Health Ombudsman
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Council
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board
Health and Wellbeing Queensland
Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) was established to improve the health and wellbeing of the Queensland population and reduce health inequities. HWQld has a focus on reducing the burden of chronic diseases through targeting risk factors for those diseases such as poor nutrition, low physical activity and obesity.
More about Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
Supporting Legislation
Health and Wellbeing Queensland Act 2019 (PDF, 473 KB)
Hospital and Health Services
Sixteen Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) are accountable for the delivery of public hospital and health services in Queensland. They operate and manage a network of public hospital and health services within a defined geographic or specialist area. HHSs are statutory bodies with expertise-based Hospital and Health Boards, accountable to the local community and the Queensland Parliament via the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services.
Read more about HHSs.
Hospital foundations
Hospital foundations help their associated hospitals provide improved facilities, education opportunities for staff, research funding and opportunities, and support the health and wellbeing of communities.
They are administered by voluntary boards appointed by the Governor in Council on recommendation of the Health Minister. There are 13 foundations in Queensland:
- Bundaberg Health Services Foundation
- Central Queensland Hospital Foundation
- Children's Hospital Foundation Queensland
- Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
- Gold Coast Hospital Foundation
- Ipswich Hospital Foundation
- Mackay Hospital Foundation
- The PA Research Foundation
- The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
- Sunshine Coast Health Foundation
- Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
- Townsville Hospital Foundation
The Register of Hospital Foundations is located here: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/health-system/managing/statutory-agencies/foundations/register-of-hospital-foundations
Supporting legislation
Queensland Mental Health Commission
- Queensland Mental Health Commission—The objective of this body is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders and minimise the impact of substance misuse in our communities by:
- developing a whole-of-government strategic plan to integrate systems and improve services
- monitoring, reviewing and reporting on issues affecting people with mental illness
- promoting prevention, early intervention and community awareness strategies.
Supporting legislation
Queensland Mental Health Commission Act 2013 (Qld) (PDF, 321KB)
Mental health authorities
There are three main statutory agencies in the mental health area:
- Mental Health Court—decides the state of mind of people charged with criminal offences.
- Mental Health Review Tribunal—protects the rights of people receiving involuntary treatment for mental illness. It provides an independent review, and makes decisions about whether the treatment will be given in hospital or in the community.
Supporting legislation
Ministerial advisory council
This body exists to provide advice and support for the Minister in specific areas. One operates in Queensland:
- Radiation Advisory Council—advises the Minister on the administration of the Radiation Safety Act 1999 (the Act), and makes recommendations for the prevention or minimisation of dangers arising from radioactive substances and associated machinery.
Supporting legislation
Radiation Safety Act 1999 (Qld) (PDF, 797kB)
Health Ombudsman
The Health Ombudsman Act 2013 (Qld) establishes a Health Ombudsman to manage health complaints in Queensland.
More about the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
Supporting legislation
Health Ombudsman Act 2013 (Qld) (PDF, 786kB)
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Council
The Council manages and controls the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. The Council is also responsible for raising money and managing the Institute’s finances and supporting the Institute in its research into cancer, infectious diseases, mental health and diseases and disorders of significance to Queensland and the region.
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Supporting legislation
Queenland Institute of Medical Research Act 1945 (Qld) (PDF, 318kB)