The PSA attends, as a key stake holder, the Department of Health Industrial Liaison Committee (ILC) meetings.

The purpose of the ILC is to provide a consultative mechanism between Department of Health Management and the recognised Health Care Unions which addresses industrial matters pertaining to Health Portfolio wide industrial relations issues.

At a recent ILC the following key agenda items were discussed:

HUMAN RESOURCE MANUAL – The PSA raised concerns about the inaccuracies within the SA Health (Health Care Act) Human Resources Manual (HR Manual), with the AEA, ANF, APESMA and LHMU all in agreement. PSA considers that some changes reduced previous conditions of employment, some in breach of Award conditions. The unions were not consulted prior to the changes being made.

SA Health acknowledged that a full review needs to be undertaken and this is part of the Employee Relations work plan within the next 12 months. Concerns were also raised about which version would be reviewed as not all revisions were not the subject of appropriate consultation.

NATIONAL REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION SCHEME UPDATE – SA Health Project Officer, Megan Baker, provided an update on the progress of national registration, proposed by the Federal Government. There are currently ten (10) professional groups being looked at for national registration, which are:

• Chiropractors

• Dental

• Medical

• Nursing

• Optometry

• Osteopaths

• Pharmacy

• Physiotherapy

• Podiatry

• Psychology

No decisions have been made yet by the Federal Minister of Health for other professional groups to be included (which will not be until 2012), nor the complaints model, or the location of National Offices.

Staffing strategies for the transition of the existing State Boards' staff to federal jurisdiction is currently subject to consultation with the ACTU, and it is expected that the recruitment of the CEO, state and territory managers will commence in the coming months. The planned implementation date of 1 July 2010 is still on target.

PROCUREMENT PROJECT – OHS MANDATED TRAINING – SA Health Project Officer, Chris Yiallouros, gave an overview of the procurement project for OHS mandated training. This initiative has been organised to establish adequate training for employees across SA Health in order to meet legislative requirements and government policy commitments. A working group has been established, draft acquisition plan has been developed. The Working Group is currently moving into the procurement process, with the intent that all approved providers will be established through Safework SA. A survey is being developed to establish the current levels of training that regional representatives have undertaken, including what training has been completed and who are the organisations that have provided it.

HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE UPDATE – Marianne Hellers, SA Health presented on the progress of implementing the recommendations out of the Shine Young Review Report. The establishing and building of a Health & Medical Research Institute on the new RAH site. The draft Bill establishing the Health & Medical Research Fund and the creation of a Board of Management will be released in late April 2009 for consultation and tabled in Parliament. The PSA will be participating in the Human Resource & Industrial Relations Group once established.

MENTAL HEALTH

Whilst the State Government announced a delay in the completion of the six new community mental health centres, there has been a further budget bid for additional Commonwealth funding.

There are two intermediate Care Facilities planned to open at Noarlunga Health Service and Glenside by March 2010. The PSA is concerned with the planned resourcing of a mixture of public and private staffing, thus giving workers different conditions of employment. The PSA will be pursuing this matter.

Additional funding from the Commonwealth for the National Rental Affordability Scheme will contribute to the ability to build additional supported accommodation houses.

The Mental Health Bill has now passed the Upper House of Parliament. The PSA will be discussing the implementation plan with Mental Health Directorate once the Bill is proclaimed.

For enquiries please contact Industrial Officer, Sue Cummins, on telephone 8205 3260 
or email sc@cpsu.asn.au

PSA/CPSU WORKING FOR MEMBERS IN HEALTH