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Public Health

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Purpose

The Public Health Policy Framework outlines the mandatory policy requirements for WA health entities (Health Service Providers and Department of Health) to ensure effective and consistent public health services across the WA health system. These requirements promote chronic disease prevention, prevent and control infectious disease in the community and healthcare facilities, manage health risks, and protect the health of all Western Australians.

Effective public health services complement clinical care by reducing the demand for health services through population-focused strategies aimed at preventing disease. WA health entities are responsible for identifying and managing public health risks, assessing exposure, and implementing retention and remediation strategies to ensure effective and efficient operations and achieve health outcomes.

Mandatory requirements

The following are mandatory requirements pursuant to this Policy Framework:

Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Mandatory requirements for health promotion, injury prevention, chronic disease prevention and cultural diversity include:

Communicable Disease Control

Infection Prevention and Control

Mandatory requirements for infection control include:

Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus

Mandatory requirements for the prevention, identification, notification and control of sexually transmitted and blood-borne virus infections include:

Managing HIV Transmission Risk Behaviours Policy - MP 0137/20

Immunisation

Mandatory requirements for immunisation include:

Disaster Preparedness and Management

Mandatory requirements for the prevention, preparedness, response to and recovery aspects of a health response to a major incident include:

Emergency Management Policy - MP 0170/21

Genomics and Screening

Medicines and Poisons Management

Regulatory

Mandatory requirements for all aspects of public health regulations such as reporting and legislative compliance include:

Release of Human Tissue and Explanted Medical Devices Policy - MP 0129/20

The Department of Health, on behalf of the System Manager, is responsible for monitoring and ensuring WA health entities comply with the requirements set out in each mandatory policy.

Communicable Disease Control

Tuberculosis and Health Care Workers

Policy framework custodian

Deputy Director General
Public and Aboriginal Health Division

Enquiries relating to this Policy Framework may be directed to: PolicyFrameworkSupport@health.wa.gov.au

Approval

This policy framework has been approved and issued by the Director General of the Department of Health as the System Manager.

Approval by	Dr Shirley Bowen, Director General, Department of Health
Approval date	01 July 2016
Date published	27 September 2018
File number	F-AA-40155