The key bodies that form the public health system in NSW are local health districts, statutory health corporations, affiliated health organisations and the Secretary of the Ministry of Health. These bodies are recognised or established under the Health Services Act 1997. Local health districts, statutory health corporations, affiliated health organisations are referred to under the Health Services Act 1997 as “public health organisations”.
Eight local health districts cover the Sydney metropolitan region, and seven cover rural and regional NSW. In addition, two specialist networks focus on children's and paediatric services, and justice health and forensic mental health. A third network operates across public health services provided by St Vincent's Hospital, the Sacred Heart Hospice at Darlinghurst and St Joseph’s at Auburn.
See local health districts and specialty networks for more information, including the geographic distribution and services provided.