An independent review of governance of the WA health system has been launched.

The WA Government this week announced that the governance review will be overseen by an expert panel led by Kym Peake - a former senior public administrator from Victoria. 

Ms Peake is  current partner for consultancy EY Port Jackson, and has served as secretary of the Victorian department of health and human services, as well as deputy secretary of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet. 

The review panel also includes GESB chair Jo Gaines, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital executive director Dr David Rosengren, and Murdoch University Chancellor Gary Smith.

The review comes five years after the state’s Health Services Act 2016 came into effect, and is intended to inform the government of any required changes before a statutory review gets underway.

The 2016 law established board-led Health Service Providers (HSPs), which are legally responsible and accountable for delivering health services to their communities.

The WA health department has been responsible since then for managing the seven HSPs including North, South and East metropolitan health services, WA Country Health Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, PathWest and Health Support Services.

The external experts will look into the operational and practical effectiveness of governance structures set out in the Act and any impacts on patient outcomes. 

Findings and recommendations will be reported to the WA health minister when the review is complete.