As part of the move to decentralise the operations of the Department of Health three regional hospital boards were established in 1989 and 1990 to manage and maintain hospitals and nursing centres. This was paralleled by a restructuring of the community health services managed by the Department to match the three regions. By legislation the hospital and community health functions were merged from 1 July 1991. An administrative headquarters was establishd at 85 Macquarie Street, Hobart. In addition to the major hospitals in the southern region the Board was responsible for the management of the Douglas Parker Rehabilitation Centre, the District Nursing Hospitals at Nubeena and Oatlands, and the District Nursing Centres at Alonnah, Cygnet, Dover and Triabunna. Following the merger of the Health and Community Services Departments in 1993 the Board became the Southern Regional Office. Administrative arrangements became increasingly complicated and the regional structure was bypassed in the administration of many programs. The Office became increasingly irrelevant and was finally abolished by the Health Act 1997 from 1 July of that year. The staff and administrative responsibilities of all were transferred to the Department and a single Hospitals and Ambulance Service Advisory Board was established as a statewide forum for community consultation.~