On Tuesday 22 April 2008 PSA Industrial Officer Dolly Costello attended the Department of Health SA Health Unions Forum. The Health Unions Forum is a strategic forum where issues are discussed that impact across the Health Portfolio.

The following key agenda items were discussed:

SA Metropolitan Hospital Efficiency and Performance Review

The final report was released on 1 April 2008. The Review was Commissioned by SA Health in 2007 and undertaken by Paxton and Partners Consultants. The Consultants' brief was to determine where efficiencies and improvements could be made to improve services. The scope of the review included Royal Adelaide Hospital, Repatriation General Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The final report contains 16 system wide recommendations related to improving, structuring, accounting and management practices. There are also a number of recommendations specific to each hospital. The recommendations are consistent with the SA Health Care Plan. Now that the report has been released an implementation plan will be developed within the health regions for each hospital however, PSA and Health Care Unions have concerns in relation to the implementation process. Absent from the Report is any data or explanation which might explain the rationale behind the many recommendations. Whilst documents accompanying the Report suggest that service standards should be maintained, it does not say how this could be done with fewer people providing care and less back-up support.

Consultancy Food Services Operating Model for SA Health

The consultancy is part of the planning for the Marjory Jackson Nelson hospital. The consultancy will be providing advice to SA Health on global and Australian best practice in multi hospital food services including advice on appropriate reference size and commentary and future trends in hospital food services. A comparative analysis of the available food service models having regard to, the variety, quality and nutrition of food provided for hospital patients through available food service models, the benefits and risks associated with the implementation and operation of various models, the cost of efficiency of alternative food service models across metropolitan Adelaide public hospital system.

For enquiries contact Dolly Costello on 8205 3244 or email dlc@cpsu.asn.au