Sector governance

On 31 August 2023, the Western Australian Government committed to establishing new governance arrangements for the mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems as part of a package of reforms associated with the Independent Review of WA Health System Governance (IGR). 

 The new structure will be comprised of the:  

  • Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alcohol and Other Drugs Ministerial Advisory Panel; 
  • Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alcohol and Other Drugs Joint Leadership Group; 
  • Clinical Advisory Group; and 
  • Lived Experience Advisory Group. 

Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drug Governance Structure.

The Mental Health Commission is also supported by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board (AODAB). The AODAB is established pursuant to s.14 of the Alcohol and Other Drug Act 1974 to provide advice to the CEO (Mental Health Commissioner). 

Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alcohol and Other Drug Ministerial Advisory Panel

The Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alcohol and Other Drugs Ministerial Advisory Panel (MAP)  

The MAP is an expert advisory and consultative body that provides direct feedback to the Minister for Health; Mental Health (Minister) about system performance and reform progress.  

The Mental Health Commissioner and the Department of Health Director General will attend the MAP as observers to stay abreast of the MAP’s feedback and advice.  

The MAP is independent of the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health

Joint Leadership Group

The Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alcohol and Other Drugs Joint Leadership Group (JLG) is tasked by the Minister to be responsible for the performance of the public and community mental health and alcohol and other drug systems, inclusive of strategic reform objectives.  

The JLG provides high level, system-wide, collaborative decision-making, and oversight to deliver a system that adopts a person-centred approach and encapsulates whole of system priorities. This includes the transition to community-based services that provide prevention, earlier intervention, and diversion away from acute in-patient services.   

The Mental Health Commissioner and the Department of Health Director General Co-Chair the JLG. They are accountable to the Minister who has responsibility for administering the mental health (including alcohol and other drugs) and health portfolio. Members include the Chief Medical Officer Mental Health and the Chief Executive Officers of each of the Health Service Providers. The Mental Health Commission Assistant Commissioner for Aboriginal Affairs, Alcohol and Other Drugs and Lived Experience will attend in an advisory capacity. 

Clinical Advisory Group

The Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) is an advisory body and supports the JLG by providing contemporary, practical and achievable expert advice on clinical mental health, alcohol and other drug matters in a range of settings inclusive of both inpatient and community settings.   

The CAG is a Ministerially appointed Committee and is co-chaired by the Mental Health Commission’s Chief Medical Officer Mental Health and the Department of Health’s Chief Nursing Midwifery Officer.  

The CAG members are comprised of diverse and multidisciplinary professionals with clinical expertise in mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and conditions.

Lived Experience Advisory Group

The Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) supports the JLG by providing advice grounded in lived experiences and human rights. 

The LEAG is an advisory body, responsible for ensuring that the voices of consumers, family members and significant others and community members with lived and living experience of mental health, alcohol and other drug issues, harms and service use are embedded in the relevant work being undertaken across the mental health and alcohol and other drug systems.  

The LEAG is a Ministerially appointed Committee and is co-chaired by the Commission’s Lived Experience and Alcohol and Other Drugs Assistant Commissioners.  

The LEAG members are comprised of diverse designated Lived Experience members, inclusive of emerging Lived Experience Leaders.

Last updated February 2024

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