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Internal Audit

Our vision:

The Internal Audit Directorate within South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) provides an independent, objective assurance and consulting service to add value and improve SESLHD’s operations.

Internal Audit helps SESLHD accomplish its objectives by:

  • Bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes across all activities.
  • Assist management in conducting fraud and corruption Investigations and report such matters to the relevant authorities when applicable.
  • Providing and facilitating training on internal controls, fraud and corruption awareness and public interest disclosures.

Public Interest Disclosure (PID)

Making a Public Interest Disclosure (PID), also known as whistleblowing, involves a public official reporting serious wrongdoing that is of public interest. SESLHD is committed to promoting a culture of transparency and accountability and encourages all staff to report any concerns regarding serious wrongdoing.

For a report to be classified as a PID, it must meet certain criteria outlined in the legislation (PID Act 2022). Within NSW Health, the Public Interest Disclosures Policy Directive 2023 (PD2023_026) provides the framework for managing PIDs. SESLHD has adopted this policy and developed additional guidance through the SESLHD Corrupt Conduct Reporting Policy (SESLHDPD/266). This document outlines the reporting channels available for disclosures under both the PID framework and corrupt conduct provisions.

A PID must relate to one or more of the following categories of serious wrongdoing:

  • Corrupt conduct – e.g., the improper use of knowledge, power, or position for personal gain.
  • Serious maladministration – e.g., making decisions or taking actions that are unlawful.
  • Serious and substantial waste of public money – e.g., failing to follow competitive tendering processes for major contracts.
  • Government information contravention – e.g., destroying, altering, or concealing records to prevent their lawful release.
  • Privacy contravention – e.g., misuse of personal or health information in breach of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) or the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act).

All NSW Health staff (including contractors, sub-contractors and volunteers) who become aware of any suspected wrongdoing are encouraged to report it. While concerns should generally be raised with a manager or supervisor in the first instance, disclosures relating to serious misconduct should be directed to:

  • The Principal Officer (Chief Executive)
  • The PID Coordinator (Director, Internal Audit)
  • A designated SESLHD Disclosure Officer

What to do if you want to make a report

You can make your report to the following:

  • The Chief Executive
    SESLHD District Executive
    Locked Mail Bag
    21 Taren Point NSW 2229
    Phone: 9382 7853
    Fax: 9540 8757
    Email: seslhd-mail@health.nsw.gov.au
  • NSW Ministry of Health
    The Associate Director
    Corporate Governance and Risk Management
    NSW Ministry of Health
    Locked Bag 2030
    St Leonards NSW 1590
    Phone: 9391 9654
  • Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
    GPO Box 500,
    Sydney NSW 2001    
    Phone: 9264 5364
    Email: icac@icac.nsw.gov.au
  • The NSW Ombudsman
    Level 24, 580 George St,
    Sydney NSW 2001    
    Phone: 9286 1000
    Email: pid@ombo.nsw.gov.au

Preferred format for reporting a PID

Reports can be made anonymously via mail, telephone or email. The preferred format for a public interest disclosure is in writing, however a disclosure made verbally (either face-to-face or over the telephone) will be protected if it meets the legislative requirements for a public interest disclosure.

The advantages of a disclosure made in writing are:

  • It provides an accurate record of the disclosure
  • It avoids confusion or misrepresentation
  • It facilitates the inclusion of supporting information

Please consider that a report made anonymously where the reporter/discloser cannot be contacted may prolong the assessment and management period of the report. If you wish to remain anonymous, an email alias can be used so that communication can occur between reporter and the Disclosures Coordinator.