About Us
Our services
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the largest of all the Tasmanian State Government agencies. The Department is responsible for delivering integrated services that maintain and improve the health and wellbeing of individual Tasmanians and the Tasmanian community as a whole.
The Department provides more than one and a half million occasions of service annually to clients. In addition to the services it provides directly, the Department also contracts or provides funding for a wide range of services within the private and non-government sectors.
The principal responsibilities of the Department include the delivery of:
- high quality and efficient healthcare services through the public hospital system, primary and community health services, including mental health, oral health and correctional health services, and ambulance services;
- health promotion and protection through emergency management, public health and related preventative services;
- residential and rehabilitative care for older Tasmanians, as well as support and assistance to enable them to remain living independently in their own homes;
- a network of alcohol and drug prevention and treatment services;
- a range of accommodation and support services aimed at enhancing the quality of life for people with a disability;
- statutory responsibilities relating to vulnerable children and young people in relation to child protection and juvenile justice;
- a wide range of community services for children and their families, including early intervention, family support services and child health services; and
- secure, affordable housing and support to low income Tasmanians, as well as accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness.
The Department coordinates the delivery of its services across Tasmania through a network of facilities, community services and home-based care, including:
- three acute hospitals - the Royal Hobart, Launceston General and North West Regional (Burnie and Mersey campuses) hospitals;
- 20 rural health facilities (including district hospitals, multi-purpose services/ centres and council/non-government organisation sites supported by State funding);
- 47 ambulance stations;
- 21 community health centres;
- 35 telehealth facilities;
- 5 rural nursing centres;
- 15 day centres for the frail, aged and people with a disability;
- 2 youth health centres;
- 3 parenting centres;
- 27 mental health facilities;
- 7 housing service centres providing tenancy management, advice or support to over 13 200 public, Aboriginal or community-managed properties;
- 34 oral (dental) health facilities;
- 1 inpatient and four outpatient alcohol and drug facilities;
- the Ashley Youth Detention Centre; and
- the Wilfred Lopes Secure Mental Health Unit.
A number of services, such as Home and Community Care and community nursing, are provided directly to clients in their homes by staff working out of a number of sites statewide.