Clinical Governance

Clinical Governance is the term used to describe a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care within a health system. It is about the ability to produce effective change so that high quality care is achieved. It requires clinicians and administrators to take joint responsibility for making sure this occurs.

When Clinical Governance is effective, it has the potential to:

Make positive changes you want to see happen;
Improve the quality of care for patients; and
Provide a better experience for staff.

Chief Psychiatrist

The role of the Chief Psychiatrist at the Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Office (MHDAO) is to provide:

High level advice to the Director of Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Programs on the mental health needs of the NSW population;
Professional leadership to NSW mental health clinicians across all areas; and
Clinical input to policy development and implementation to improve the mental health status of target groups.

To achieve this, the Chief Psychiatrist is involved in:

The review and analysis of service standards for monitoring outcomes and events and performance of mental health Areas;
Some statutory responsibilities under the mental health legislative framework; and
Clinical, teaching and research functions.

The Chief Psychiatrist also occasionally issues clinical standards to provide specialist advice on various aspects of clinical service and to inform mental health practitioners and services about the operation and clinical issues in relation to the Mental Health Act.

Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisor

The role of the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisor at MHDAO is to provide:

Advice on drug and alcohol clinical matters to the Director of Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Programs and MHDAO staff;
Information on new developments in drug and alcohol clinical treatment and care;
Leadership on the development and monitoring of a clinical governance framework for NSW drug and alcohol services; and
Support to NSW clinical staff at times where local clinical leadership is not available.

The Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisor also co-chairs the Quality in Treatment Subcommittee which provides clinical advice to NSW Health on state-wide plans, policies, clinical guidelines, service developments, and the facilitation of potential partnerships with peak clinical organisations and institutions.