Women and Newborn Health Service
General
King Edward Memorial Hospital
WA Health Code of Conduct
The WA Health Code of Conduct has been developed to complement the principles of the WA Public Sector Code of Ethics, together with those categories of appropriate behaviour outlined in the OPSSC Conduct Guide (2008).
Our values
Care by demonstrating commitment and consideration to others as we work.
Respect for each other, our clients and their families, carers and the community by preserving individual dignity and supporting the right of everyone to make choices.
Excellence by providing high quality, accessible, integrated and safe health care to the community. We believe in working in partnership with clients to improve their health.
Integrity by providing quality services and advice for the common good and having honest dealings and communication with other people.
Teamwork by valuing the contribution of the team, working safely and cooperatively and communicating effectively with the team.
Leadership by communicating WA Health’s vision, taking responsibility for our actions and decisions and displaying trust in our colleagues.
These values underpin our commitment to demonstrate:
Responsible care
Responsible care means protecting and managing with care and diligence the human, natural and financial resources of the State.
We will:
- Base all human resource practices, including recruitment, selection and appointment, on merit and equity, ensuring they are free from bias.
- Use our initiative, skills and expertise in competently performing our jobs with care, diligence and impartiality.
- Ensure public money and assets are utilised efficiently, effectively and in accordance with statutes, regulations and government policies.
- Have due regard for the safety and security of government resources.
- Ensure decisions made are fair and transparent and demonstrate accountability in our work practices, consulting those affected where possible.
- Work safely in a manner that protects and promotes the health and well being of individuals and the environment.
- Ensure that our personal choices including use of alcohol and other substances do not affect work performance or endanger the health and safety of others.
- Maintain confidentiality about any personal or other information that becomes available to us in the course of our duties, and only use the information in connection with our duties and/or with proper authorisation.
Respect for people
Respect for people means being honest and treating people courteously and considerately, so that their dignity is maintained and their rights are upheld.
We will:
- Treat clients, colleagues and members of the public with respect, courtesy, honesty and sensitivity.
- Respect the rights of others and act to empower them to claim and uphold their rights if they need assistance.
- Respect different values, beliefs, cultures and religions.
- Be open and honest in our communication with other people.
- Value the contribution of our fellow workers and endeavour to work cooperatively with each other.
- Be considerate of the needs of our colleagues to balance their work and other life responsibilities and commitments.
- Not participate in or tolerate any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination and report instances where they occur.
- Act to resolve issues, grievances and concerns effectively, fairly and promptly.
Ethical behaviour
Ethical behaviour means being honest, showing integrity and upholding the laws of the organisation and land.
We will:
- Behave in an ethical and professional manner at all times and not act in any way that brings WA Health into disrepute.
- Maintain loyalty to WA Health by performing our roles with integrity.
- Comply with all state government policies, standards and Australian laws.
- Understand and comply with all WA Health business, administration and operational directives and policies.
- Conduct our business fairly and openly without favour or prejudice.
- Disclose any personal or professional matters that may lead to actual or perceived conflicts of interests.
- Report any unethical or inappropriate behaviour we become aware of at work.
- Ensure that the use of equipment, facilities and other resources is only for the purposes for which they are intended.
- Not comment or provide information to the media without proper prior authorisation.
- Not seek to derive benefit from our employment as public officers.
- Not accept any unauthorised gifts in the course of our employment.
- Protect and responsibly manage the intellectual property developed in, or used by WA Health. The intellectual property we create in the course of our employment may remain the property of WA Health.
- Abide by the principals of contact between lobbyists and government representatives in accordance with the Contact with Lobbyists Code.
