VPRS 17369 Central Correspondence Files, RMS System

Full description

In 1985 there was a major re-organisation of the administration and provision of Health Services in Victoria which resulted in the establishment of the Department of Health II (VA 2695) in 1985. The powers and responsibilities of the Health Commission of Victoria (VA 652) and its Chairman were vested in the Department of Health and its Chief General Manager. Many services which had been traditionally regarded as health services were redefined as community services and by 1 October 1985 responsibility for these services was transferred to the Department of Community Services (VA 2633). In October 1992 Department of Health II (VA 2695) amalgamated with Community Services Victoria to form the Department of Health and Community Services (VA 3092).

The series was created to administer policy, procedures and correspondence relating to the public health function in Victoria. They comprise central registry RMS files created by the Department of Health II (commonly known as Health Department Victoria HDV) (VA 2695). The records concern a broad range of subjects including ambulance services, child services specialists, drugs, occupational health and safety, legislation, residential care, special accommodation houses, publications, travel, works and services, Ministerial correspondence, etc.

In 1986 a new filing sequence was established which combined the central administration files VPRS 14831, the Executive files of VPRS 14832 and the general correspondence files of the General Health Division (VPRS 14836).

The new series was controlled by a computerised record management system utilising the `RMS' software package. Under this package files were allocated a sequential number with a numeric/alpha prefix which identified a broad subject area. During the process of the establishment of this new system, the Health Department selected a number of files from within this series which were required for ongoing and future reference/action by the Department. These files were accordingly `top numbered' i.e allocated new file numbers from the new filing system. The relevant entries in the card register in VPRS 14833 were annotated with the new file number.