Infrastructure (Asset Management)

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Policy framework statement

The Infrastructure (Asset Management) Policy Framework specifies the infrastructure asset planning, asset procurement, asset operation and maintenance, and asset disposal requirements that all Health Service Providers (HSPs) must comply with in order to ensure effective and consistent asset management functions across the WA health system.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy framework is to ensure:

  • good governance in asset management
  • accountability and transparency of the financial management of asset management
  • projects are delivered with scope, cost and time parameters and to the specified quality
  • effective and efficient service delivery solutions
  • consideration of lifecycle costings to ensure long term sustainability of each asset
  • effective project and service risk management strategies
  • accuracy, timeliness and completeness of information
  • compliance with the WA Government’s legislative and policy requirements.

Applicability

This policy framework is binding on each HSP to which it applies or relates.

Principles

The key principles that underpin this policy framework are:

Accountability, Transparency and Performance Focussed

Responsible and accountable use of financial resources, with the ability to explain decisions and actions to external reviewers, as well as document and report on the management of resources, in a clear, consistent and accurate manner.

Asset Management is considered in the context of:

  • Asset lifecycle.
  • Asset prioritisation based on the operating imperatives across the WA health system. This by nature means that reprioritisation becomes a key consideration for future asset planning.
  • Future proofing of assets to ensure opportunities to extend the operating life of assets by anticipating changes in patterns of use or growth in demand, thereby creating flexibility and the potential to add capacity. This allows for continued technological evolution.
  • Strategic Asset Planning to provide a framework for future and current assets, with the involvement of all the key enablers of the WA health system. This includes ICT, procurement, finance, facilities management and governance with consideration of the long term lifecycle costs.
  • Sustainability to ensure - the performance of assets is optimised in terms of their capacity to support service delivery. Asset management decisions do not compromise the long-term financial sustainability across the WA health system.

Holistic and Strategic

Asset management decision-making will take a holistic and strategic approach in relation to asset development, procurement, maintenance and disposal. Patient care, service delivery and safety are always at the core of this decision-making process.

Stewardship

The use of funds and resources in the management of assets to support service delivery objectives is consistent with achieving value for money for whole-of-government service delivery.

Legislative context

This policy framework is made pursuant to ss 26(2)(d) of the Health Services Act 2016.

The Health Services Act 2016 refers to policy frameworks in ss. 26-27 and s. 34(2)(c). Other relevant parts in the Act that relate specifically to this policy framework include ss. 34(2)(i), 36(3)(a) and 37-39.

The legislation below, may also apply:

  • Building Act 2011
  • Building Services (Registration) Act 2011
  • Building Services (Registration) Regulations 2011
  • Financial Management Act 2006
  • Public Works Act 1902
  • Planning and Development Act 2005
  • Treasurer’s Instructions
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2020
  • Procurement Act 2020.

Mandatory requirements

Under this policy framework HSPs must comply with all mandatory requirements* including:

^This internal document can be made available on request.

Policy framework custodian

Deputy Director General

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

Review

This policy framework will be reviewed as required to ensure relevance and recency. At a minimum this policy framework will be reviewed within two years after first issue and at least every three years thereafter.

Version Effective from Amendment(s)
11. 11 January 2024  Policy review and amendments to MP 0109/19 Strategic Asset Plan Policy. Amendments include the following: Title amended from Asset Management: Strategic Asset Plan Policy to Strategic Asset Plan Policy; Purpose section amended to create a distinction between planning and funding mechanisms; Policy requirements section amended to streamline requirements and rename the governance body; Compliance monitoring section amended to align with policy requirements; Related documents section amended to include the Strategic Asset Plan Template and Strategic Asset Plan Timeline; Supporting information section amended an removal of the Strategic Asset Plan Template and WA health system Strategic Asset Plan 2019-2029. Inclusion of Government of WA Department of Treasury Strategic Asset Managment Framework Policy, Strategic Asset Plan, Guidelines and Template; Definitions amended to remover terms no longer referenced in the policy; Policy contact section updated to reflect the change of Directorate. 
10.  2 August 2023  New mandatory policy: MP 0179/23 Medical Equipment and Imaging Replacement Program Policy. This policy is a capital works program that provides funding to Health Service Providers (HSPs) and the Department of Health (the Department) for the replacement of medical and imaging equipment that have exceeded its useful life or is not fit for purpose. The aim of the policy is to have the right medical and imaging equipment at the right time and the right place to deliver a safe and high-level patient care. The policy is applicable to HSPs and the Department. 
9.  21 March 2023 Amendments to the Infrastructure Policy Framework legislative context section:  removal of Occupational Health and Safety Act 1984, State Supply Commission Act 1991 and Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cwlth). Inclusion of the following legislation: Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and Procurement Act 2020. 
8 22 February 2023  Policy review and major amendment to MP 0110/19 Management of Medical Equipment Policy.  Includes the following: updated information provided in the Policy Requirements and Compliance Monitoring sections; definitions for 'Assets', 'Refurbished medical equipment' and 'WA health system' included in the Definitions section and removal of the Medical Equipment Management Reporting Template and inclusion of the MEMWG Terms of Reference in the Related Documents section. 
7 17 August 2022 Infrastructure (Asset Management) Policy Framework - policy framework custodian amended from Assistant Director General to Deputy Director General.
6 25 August 2021
Infrastructure (Asset Management) Policy Framework - updated broken hyperlinks on landing page, under Mandatory Requirements. 
5 16 February 2021
Rescind OD 0604/15 and OD 0654/16.
4 24 June 2019 
New MP 0109/19 Asset Management: Strategic Asset Plan Policy and MP 0110/19 Management of Medical Equipment Policy.
3 20 Sept 2018
New MP 0092/18 Land and Property Management Policy. Rescind MP 0052/17 Motor Vehicle Fleet Policy.
2 24 May 2017
New MP 0052/17 Motor Vehicle Fleet Policy.
1 1 July 2016 Original version

Approval

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

Approval byDr D.J. Russell-Weisz, Director General, Department of Health
Approval date01 July 2017
Date published20 September 2018
File numberF-AA-40151

Compliance

This policy framework is binding on those to whom it applies or relates. Implementation at a local level will be subject to audit.

Glossary of terms

Term Meaning
Applicability Under Section 26 of the Health Services Act 2016, policy frameworks may apply to:
  • All Health Service Providers
  • A type of public health service facility
  • A type of public health service
  • A type of staff member of a health service provider.
Health Service Provider Means a Health Service Provider established by an order made under section 32(1)(b) of the Health Services Act 2016.
WA Health system Pursuant to section 19(1) of the Health Services Act 2016, means the Department of Health, Health Service Providers and to the extent that Contracted Health Entities provide health services to the State, the Contracted Health Entities.