Ensuring the effective governance of the Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Service (NIHRACS) is important for the delivery of best-practice, fit-for-purpose health and aged care services on Norfolk Island.
To strengthen the existing governance arrangements for NIHRACS, the Australian Government is establishing an Advisory Council to oversee the management and operation of the health and aged care service and to ensure we are best meeting the needs and requirements of the Norfolk Island community.
The Council’s primary role will be to provide advice and guidance on the effective delivery of high quality health services for the Norfolk Island community to the Australian Government, and to ensure that Norfolk Island residents are not disadvantaged by location or access issues.
The establishment of an Advisory Council is a shorter-term measure, with the intention that the Council will transition into a Board once the appropriate legislation is in place.
Membership of the Council will include representatives from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications as well as the Department of Health. In addition, two independent representatives will sit on the Council to provide operational and clinical expertise.
An Expression of Interest will be released for the two independent representatives, with preference given to Norfolk Island residents.
I strongly encourage any Norfolk Island community members who meet the criteria for membership of the Council to put forward their expression of interest, as we want to ensure the community is well represented as we continue to deliver these vital services.
We will continue to engage with the community throughout the process of establishing the new Council, and look forward to ongoing conversations around the delivery of targeted, essential health care.
The expression of interest form and guidelines are available here: https://www.regional.gov.au/territories/norfolk_island/norfolk_island_health_services/index.aspx
If you have any questions or feedback in relation to the Council, please contact the Office of the Administrator by email: office.administrator@infrasructure.gov.au or phone 22152.
Eric Hutchinson
Administrator of Norfolk Island
27 May 2021