Auditor-General's Report

In reply to Mrs HURN (Schubert) (2 November 2022).

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing): I have been advised:

SA Health has a Criminal and Relevant History Screening Policy (July 2021) which sets out requirements, roles and responsibilities.

In addition to the policy, required staff have their screening assessed by a credentialing committee (committee) within the relevant local health network. For example, upon commencement of allied health or medical staff employment, the employee needs to provide proof of screening to the committee.

It should be noted that employees who commenced employment prior to the introduction of National Police Check (NPC) screening requirements, and whose role is otherwise not subject to legislated screening checks (e.g. working with children, aged care or disability) may not have a screening record as initial employment was not subject to the current employment standards as per the above policy. It should also be noted that all SA Public Sector employees are required, under the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector, to notify their employer if they are charged with a criminal offence.

Inconsistencies and weaknesses in the approach to monitoring of employment screening checks at the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) was the subject of findings by the Auditor-General in the 2021-22 Interim Audit. As part of the commitment to addressing these concerns, CALHN committed to remediation.