IHCA Certification Governance Structure

The following organisations support the IHCA Certification process:

Board of Directors

IHCA Certification has a board of independent directors. This is required to ensure management of governance matters, assist with enhancing public understanding of IHCA’s business operations and to facilitate effective work and undertakings with other organisations.

The IHCAC’s directors are:

• Mr Richard Silver (Chair) Director, Australian Government Solicitor
• Professor Robert Bush, Director, Healthy Communities Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland
• Ms Gloria Wallace, former senior health executive with Queensland Health
• Ms Robynne Kent, Chief Executive Officer, Canossa Care
• Professor Michael Whitby, Consultant Physican

The Directors are responsible for the corporate governance practices of the Company and The Board carries out its responsibilities according to the following mandate:

• The Board comprises at least five directors;
• The criteria for Board membership is to create a balanced and informed board to assist the Company in making decisions relating to all corporate matters. New directors are nominated by existing Board members and invited to become members on the basis of a majority vote of directors. Consideration is given to the director’s experience and qualifications with a view to ensuring effectiveness and an appropriate balance of skills;
• Directors are appointed for an indefinite time on terms and conditions voted on from time to time; and
• All available information in connection with items to be discussed at a meeting of the Board shall be provided prior to that meeting.

The primary responsibilities of the Board include:

• The approval of the Directors’ annual report including the annual financial statements report;
• The establishment of the long term goals of the Company and the strategic plans to achieve those goals;
• The review and adoption of annual budgets for the financial performance of the Company and monitoring the results at bi-monthly meetings;
• Ensuring that the Company has implemented adequate systems of internal controls together with appropriate monitoring of compliance activities;
• The delegation of powers to the Chief Executive Officer and other staff in relation to the business and operations of the Company; and
• The establishment of succession plans for the management of the Company.

Meetings

• The Board meet at least six times per annum; and
• All available information in connection with items to be discussed or decided at meetings is provided prior to the meetings.

Risk Management

• The Board identifies and discusses areas of significant business risk. The BRoard ensures processes are in place to manage those risks and reviews those arrangements at Board meetings. The Company has a Strategic Plan, which forms the basis of performance evaluation.
• The finances of the Company are subject to annual audit and certification in compliance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.
• The Board identifies and discusses significant areas of risk as part of its strategic, and business planning and its regular review at Board meetings of the finances and operations of the Company.
• Reports on the Company’s activities are provided at each meeting of the Board.
• The Company has in place internal audit and management review systems, as part of its commitment to continuous quality improvement, to identify areas of potential risk and to implement corrective action.
• The Chief Executive Officer managing the day-to-day operations of the Company is appointed by the Board on the basis of experience in the industry, qualifications and proven performance.
• All employees of the company sign a Code of Conduct and are subject to annual appraisal of performance.

The Company has in place appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation and contemporary standards in relation to workplace health and safety, human resource management, privacy, anti-discrimination, complaints and grievances, impartiality, finance and assets management.

IHCA Certification Body

The Certification Body is appointed by the Board of IHCA Certification and is responsible and accountable for the decision on the certification of an organisation against the Standards for which it has been assessed.

The members of the Certification Body are:

• Ms J. Robson
• Ms A-M. Buttner
• Mr A.G. Williams
• Mr N Muller

Stakeholders Committee

The committee is also appointed by the Board of IHCA Certification and represents all those with an interest in the certification process. Its role is to safeguard the impartiality and independence of the certification and decision making processes.

The members of the Stakeholders Committee are:

• Ms A. Aitken (Chair)
• Ms M. Deane
• Ms M. Kenny

Auditors and Technical Experts/Specialists

Appointed by IHCA Certification, our auditors and technical advisors undertake the audits and assessments.

IHCA Certification Body Secretariat

The management and staff of IHCA Certification provide support for the company’s business and administrative activities.