DIVISION’S ROLE

 OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Area Corporate / Strategic Planning
  The Division develops, monitors and evaluates the Area’s Strategic Plan.
• Area Operations Planning
  The Division sets the overall operations framework. Based on 5 year and 10-year activity forecasts, predictions are made for bed requirements, staff numbers, service needs and facility requirements for the Area.
• Area Service Planning
  The Division works with staff and community members to develop plans for clinical services and health improvement. Planners may run the entire planning process or may assist others to do this.
• Capital Planning
  Planners manage the development of Procurement Feasibility Plans (PFPs)- the first stage of capital planning. At this stage, community and service needs are articulated and capital options for meeting service needs are tested. Planners also participate in the development of Project Development Plans (PDP) – the next phase of capital planning.
• High Cost or Specialised Technology Planning.
  Planners develop plans for the rational development of technology across the Area, Planning may include the purchase of high technology equipment or specialised services. Recent examples are MRI and PET. Participation may be required in state-wide planning for high technology services such as Radiotherapy.
• Policy and Briefing Advice
• Resource Allocation and Projections of Activity Advice
  Advice is given about the process of funds distribution based on available data and information. 
• New Initiative Planning
  Planners are often involved in preparing submissions, tender documents, or assisting others to do this.
• Intergovernmental Liaison and Action 
  The Division liaises with senior officers from other Government Departments to develop joint action plans or agreements, submissions for funding and to monitor the outcomes of projects.
• Support for Operations Division
  As funds become available, the Planning Unit assists the Operations Division in assessing and monitoring the implementation of plans.
• Management of the Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Portfolio 
• Planning process and plan evaluation
• Facilitation of planning process
• Training in planning skills
• Performance Agreement

OUR CUSTOMERS – INTERNAL and EXTERNAL:

The Division works with providers, communities and key stakeholders to develop Area strategic, service and facility plans. 

Internal customers include clinicians and area health service providers, Hospital General Managers and their Executives, Area Advisory Committees, Senior Clinicians, other Divisions in the Area Office, and the Area Executive Team. 

The NSW Department of Health, Divisions of General Practice and health practitioners working in the private sector are also key partners in planning.

Key external customers are communities and consumers interested or directly affected by service or facility planning. The Division also works with community agencies and organisations. 

Other Government and Non-Government agencies such as the Department of Community Services, Housing, Education, Police and Juvenile Justice are often important stakeholders. 

SERVICE COMMITTEES WE ARE ON: 

• Planning staff may establish Steering Committees or work with an existing Advisory Committee for advice and oversight of a planning process.

EXTERNAL COMMITTEES INCLUDE: 

• Regional Co-ordination Management Group (RCMG)
• Human Services Senior Officers Group
• State Directors of Health Service Development Committee
• Greater Eastern & Southern Sydney Child Health Network
• Greater Western Sydney Child Health Network