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MENTAL HEALTH UPDATE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY (ERMHS) CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE Mental Health Triage was established in December 2007 as an outcome of the ERMHS Stage 1 implementation. There was agreement that the consultative committee would re-convene three months after the establishment of the Mental Health Triage. This forum has now had it's final meeting for the first stage of implementation. The PSA is seeking clarification as to what will be the consultative process for stage 2 of ERMHS. Initially the discussion was to be around the links between MHT and the Emergency Triage & Liaison Service for Country Health SA., including any proposal for the expansion of hours of operation for people less than 18 years of age. Whilst stage 2 was planned to be implemented in March 2008 there has been no consultation as to when or if it will occur. It is a concern of the PSA that there are a number of operational matters that have been raised by members working in the Community Mental Health Teams, which have not been resolved. Indications are that what is urgently required is common operational guidelines across metropolitan regions. Management has agreed to take this matter on board and to provide information on how an Operational Group could be established across the regions, with a membership to include representatives from each area including operational staff.
Other agreed outcomes from the above meeting were:
COMMUNITY REHABILITATION CENTRE (CRC) REVIEW There was an agreement that after the establishment of the first CRC at Mile End that a review would occur between management, PSA and ANF. These meetings did not commence until May 2008. There are now three CRC's established at Mile End, Noarlunga and Elizabeth. Matters being discussed are roster arrangements, staffing establishments and meal breaks for Allied Health Professionals and Community Rehabilitation Workers (CRWs). The PSA is concerned that the last scheduled meeting was canceled. PSA members will be consulted if any proposed changes are tabled. The PSA is concerned about meal breaks after hours at the CRCs and management's views of what constitutes a meal break. It is the PSA's view that members should take a break after 5 hours. Although it is not considered a meal break if they cannot leave the area. The PSA has forwarded evidence to that fact to management and is waiting for a response. Once all parties reach an agreement in relation to meal breaks, including consultation with staff, a Flexible Workplace Agreement will be required to be lodged with the SA Industrial Relations Commission, as an attachment to the current EB Agreement. MENTAL HEALTH CNAHS TEAM LEADER CLASSIFICATION The PSA was successful in gaining PO-4 classification for existing Team Leaders who were substantively Professional Officers within Central Adelaide Health Service. These positions are multi-classified positions, but there is an agreement that upon vacancy Team Leader positions will be advertised at the PO-4 level for the PO component. The PSA is now working with Country Health SA in relation to the classification level of Mental Health Team Leader positions across the state. SOCIAL WORKER PO-1 to PO-2 ASSESSMENT PROCESS This assessment process should now be finalised and staff who were reclassified had a common implementation date of 1 July 2007. (The success rate for example at CNAHS was 91.2% of staff who applied.) PSA is now seeking to discuss with management a process that could be part of a Performance Review, similar to the agreed Assessment Process, for Allied Health Professionals at PO-1 level. If you have any queries or concerns please contact Industrial Officer Sue Cummins on Telephone 8205 3260 or via email on sc@cpsu.asn.au
18 August 2008 |
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