Our vision
High quality, safe services for the people of Tasmania when they need them, so they can live well and live longer.
Our mission
To design and implement a sustainable, people-focused health and human services system which supports individuals and communities to be active partners in the management of their own health and wellbeing.
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 Agency coordinates the delivery of its services across Tasmania through a network of facilities, community services and home-based care including:
- Four acute hospitals - the Royal Hobart, Launceston General, North West Regional and the Mersey Community Hospitals (The State Government resumed management of the Mersey Community Hospital on 1 September 2008)
- 18 rural health facilities (including district hospitals, multi-purpose services/centres and council/non‑government organisation sites supported by State funding)
- 51 ambulance stations and first responder units
- 20 community health centres
- 134 telehealth facilities
- Four rural nursing centres
- 10 day centres for the frail, aged and people with a disability
- Three youth health centres
- Three parenting centres
- 24 mental health facilities
- Seven housing service centres providing tenancy management, advice or support to over 13 200 public, Indigenous or community managed properties
- 32 oral (dental) health facilities
- One inpatient and four outpatient alcohol and drug facilities
- The Ashley Youth Detention Centre
- 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.