Thursday, 28 April 2022
Statement by Paul Alsbury
Deputy Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption
The Independent Commission Against Corruption may evaluate a public authority’s practices, policies and procedures with a view to advancing comprehensive and effective systems for preventing or minimising corruption in public administration.
I will commence an evaluation of specific aspects of the practices, policies and procedures of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, as they relate to the receipt, management, investigation and outcomes of complaints about the Network and its staff.
It is important that employees of the Network, and the community, can be confident that complaints and investigations are dealt with appropriately and consistently. Complaints and investigations are a rich source of intelligence that can assist an agency to maintain high standards of integrity.
The Network comprises the Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, Statewide Rehabilitation Services, and mental health services at the Glenside Health Service and other locations. It also delivers a range of specialised community and clinical health services across the state, including Statewide Clinical Support Services, which includes SA Pathology, BreastScreen SA, SA Medical Imaging and Pharmacy SA.
Unlike an investigation, an evaluation is not directed at specific allegations of impropriety. Rather, an evaluation allows the Commission to examine a public authority’s practices, policies and procedures, highlighting those which properly safeguard against corruption and identifying any weaknesses or opportunities for improvement.
The terms of reference for the evaluation are:
- The degree to which the Network’s systems and culture encourage reporting of wrongdoing, the means by which the Network provides opportunities to report, and the manner in which the Network receives and assesses reports of wrongdoing, including its compliance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018.
- The robustness of the decision-making within the Network related to complaints management and escalation to investigation, including the extent to which decisions are supported by adequate information, consistent with legislation and policy, and appropriately documented and consistent with other decisions.
- The practices, policies and procedures in place to guide the appropriate conduct of internal investigations, including an audit to test the degree to which investigations are conducted objectively and according to the principles of procedural fairness and the rule against bias.
- The extent to which disciplinary sanctions and outcomes (including managerial guidance):
- are imposed by the Network in a timely way
- reflect the seriousness of the proven conduct, and
- are consistent with sanctions and outcomes for similar conduct.
It may be necessary to amend the terms of reference in light of information received.
More information about the evaluation, including details of how to make a submission, will be published on the Commission’s website (www.icac.sa.gov.au).
I intend to deliver a report to each House of Parliament by the end of the year.
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For media enquiries please contact 0428 389 493 or media@icac.sa.gov.au.
The publication of this information has been authorised by me under section 54 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2012.
