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COUNTRY HEALTH LIAISON COMMITTEE
As
a key stake holder the PSA attends the COUNTRY HEALTH SA (CHSA)
Industrial Liaison Committee (ILC)meetings.
The purpose of the ILC is to provide a consultation mechanism between the Department of Health Management and the recognised Health Care Unions that addresses industrial matters pertaining to Health Portfolio wide employee relations issues. On Wednesday 20 February 2008, Country Health SA Industrial Liaison Committee discussed the following key agenda items: HEALTH CARE BILL The Bill was debated in the House of Assembly late last year and passed with a minor (technical) amendment. Debate commenced in the Legislative Council in early February and will continue when the Council sits again on Tuesday 26 February. If the Bill passes it is expected that it will come into effect on 1 July 2008. SALARY SACRIFICE CHSA has been advised by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) that under the new Act, employees of CHSA will be eligible for salary sacrifice. CHSA is preparing, in anticipation of the passing of the Health Care Bill, a communique to all its staff so that they are advised early of the steps they need to take to establish/re-establish salary sacrifice arrangements. SHARED SERVICES Transition timetable for group 3 which includes Country Health SA is now planned for November-December 2008. Country Health SA are developing strategies to ensure there is no disruption to services during this period. MENTAL HEALTH BILL It is expected that the Mental Health Care Act will be introduced this session of Parliament. CHSA will consult with the PSA on any industrial implications of the new legislation once it is determined by Parliament. COUNTRY HEALTH SA SERVICES PLAN CHSA are still in the data gathering, analysis phase of the CHSA Services Plan. A draft plan will be available for public consultation in early April. CHSA will consult with the PSA following release of the draft plan. The plan will be finalised by 30 June 2008. OPERATIONAL CLUSTERS CHSA is putting in place its new organisational structure. In relation to its operational (ie hospitals and other health services) structure, the concept is to have 12 clusters each comprising multiple hospital-community health services. Five director positions were advertised and filled last year, four of which included general hospitals at Berri, Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Mount Gambier. The fifth included Port Augusta which will become a Centre for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. The Director positions for the next two clusters (Yorke and Lower North, Barossa-Gawler-Eudunda-Kapunda) will be advertised shortly. CHSA will consult with the PSA on the organisational structures which sit below the Director positions. For
enquiries contact PSA Industrial Officer Dolly Costello on 8205 3244
or email: dlc@cpsu.asn.au
PSA/CPSU WORKING WITH COUNTRY HEALTH SA MEMBERS 28 February 2008
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