Hospital board structure:changing form and changing issues

Abstract

Economic and social pressures are compelling many hospitals to consider their current board structure in an effort toposition their hospital to meet changing demands. A national profile of the structures of hospital boards has beencompiled from a questionnaire completed by hospital board representatives from both government and non-governmentsectors.Results show that hospital board structures are a hybrid of both philanthropic and corporate models. New structuresmay be required to meet future challenges. In developing new structures, consideration should be given to identifyingthe skills and processes required to undertake board business.