Vic Department of Health and Human Services | Departments/Agencies

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Case studies

How Victoria’s award-winning prescription monitoring system SafeScript is fighting overdose — and won over the AMA

By David Donaldson

Case studies

Each year, more Victorians die from prescription medications than road accidents or illicit drugs. And yet until recently, there was no reliable way for doctors…

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Interviews

Practice saying no and stop under-rating implementation, says Fran Thorn. Then, learn how to convince everyone your idea is not entirely stupid

By David Donaldson

Features

The processes of making decisions might seem perfectly sane and sensible when you’re inside government, but when you’re outside government on the receiving end of…

Fact check: are Victoria’s DHHS staff being transferred to federal agencies?

By Shannon Jenkins

News

Victoria's DHHS held an all-staff forum last week to update employees on the ongoing changes occurring as part of the NDIS. Employees already working in…

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Case studies

Reentry to work is a challenge, but sponsors and preparation make it easier. How Victorian public servants are returning after parental leave

By Shannon Jenkins

Case studies

No organisation wants to lose talent because it couldn't provide the support and encouragement to foster successful re-entry after parental leave. The Victorian Public Sector…

Victoria targets climate change in new health plan; WA promotes better health for its LGBTQI community

By Shannon Jenkins

Energy & Environment

The Victorian government has prioritised tackling climate change in its new public health and wellbeing plan, while Western Australia has promoted LGBTQI health.

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Interviews

Steve Hodgkinson is banning 'stupid digital stuff'. Relentless incrementalism, empowered staff and reusable platforms allow for cheap, fast 'micro services' that users love

By David Donaldson

Communications & Technology

Steve Hodgkinson has been chief information officer at Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services since late 2014. He has spent plenty of time thinking…

Vic opposition tries to put the public service on trial over government advertising

By Stephen Easton

Federal

The Victorian opposition wants four department heads, including the head of the public service, investigated by the state corruption watchdog over their roles in authorising…

'I regularly work 80 hours a week': child protection's unreasonable workloads

By David Donaldson

News

Stressed and overworked child protection staff are at risk of making poor decisions and are costing the department in WorkCover claims, says the Victorian Auditor…

Ethics in policy: facing trade-offs to help citizens live a life they value

By Kym Peake

Features

A clear idea of governmental purpose helps policy makers overcome the inevitable trade-offs and quandaries they face, argues DHHS boss Kym Peake. Victoria's approach to…

Flex talk, more than action

By David Donaldson

Features

Agencies have the language around flexible work down pat, but many aren't walking the talk. A recent panel looked at how individuals are making flex…

DHHS public housing debt management 'unconscionable': ombudsman

By David Donaldson

News

Disadvantaged Victorians are being charged thousands of dollars to repair damaged public housing, even when there is no evidence they caused the damage. "It’s time…

How high-pressure health and human services workplaces turn toxic

By Stephen Easton

Features

Bullying and harassment can get out of control in any workplace but it seems particularly common in health and human services where physically, mentally and…

How can public sector executives get back their 'ICT mojo'?

By David Donaldson

Communications & Technology

It's rational that executives avoid big IT projects given their propensity to go wrong, says a government CIO. The solution is to focus on incremental…

Waiting for TRIM and training, concerns as child protection files get lost in transit

By David Donaldson

Features

It's been a bumpy ride for Victorian departments as they upgrade and strengthen records management. A new report warns of risk of fraud and child…

Share success stories to avoid preventable harm, says Health secretary

By David Donaldson

Health

A cluster of potentially avoidable newborn and stillborn deaths has sparked a suite of changes to the Health system in Victoria. Health and Human Services…