The PSA attended a meeting of the Statewide Pathology Sub-Committee on 4 October 2007 at the Department of Health (DH). Key issues were discussed in relation to the establishment of a statewide pathology service for South Australia. These included:

• SA Pathology will be incorporated into Central Northern Adelaide Health Service (CNAHS). This will allow employees of the new organisation to access Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) provisions for the purpose of Salary Sacrifice which exist for CNAHS. A private ruling has been received from the Australian Taxation Office confirming the CNAHS FBT provisions will apply. Consequently PSA members should not be disadvantaged in relation to FBT and Salary Sacrifice as a result of a statewide service. PSA advocated strongly for this.

• The IMVS trading name will be maintained.

• SA Pathology will be the name of the amalgamated service incorporating the IMVS, SouthPath and the Child Youth & Women's Health Service (CYWHS) Division of Laboratory Medicine. The new service will be operational on 1 July 2008.

• SA Pathology will not have a separate Board, and it is expected an Executive Director will be appointed by early 2008.

• There will be no organisational restructures in each of the 3 affected areas until the new service is established. 
  

• No decision has been made regarding Human Resources, Payroll and Finance areas as these may be absorbed in the whole of government Shared Services proposals.

• DH representatives reported on the Consultation process, and detailed the next phase, being Stage 3 consultation, on research, training, Rights of Private Practice (ROPP), organisational structure, operational and business systems. Workgroups will be set up and the PSA has requested participation by PSA representatives in these workgroups.

• It is not known what impact the relocation of the Royal Adelaide Hospital site as part of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Hospital will have.

The PSA will continue to work with members to ensure staffing levels, services and research are not compromised during this process, and that issues such as training, recruitment and retention, are addressed. There will be a number of issues to be consulted on during the transition and implementation process, including the Human Resources Principles. If members have outstanding matters not being addressed as a result of the transition, eg reclassification applications, please contact your Industrial Officer.

The PSA is also keen to hear from members who are interested in being involved in the working groups as it is essential members are represented. Please contact the PSA to provide your feedback and expressions of interest in participating in the working groups.

IMVS: Sue Cummins, sc@cpsu.asn.au or 8205 3260

SouthPath/CYWHS: Ted Szarek, tcs@cpsu.asn.au or 8205 3213

PSA WORKING FOR MEMBERS IN HEALTH

10 October 2007