News Flash

SUSTAINABLE BUDGET COMMISSION PROPOSED CUTS

PSA raised concerns at cuts identified by Dr Sherbon at the Legislative Council's Budget and Finance Committee, and in particular that these savings will be coming from the administrative and support services areas. This would mean ultimately services will be affected as more clinical staff will be having to undertake support and administrative functions.

PSA drew Dr Sherbon's attention to Clause 14.4 of the SA Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2010 - “In establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, an agency will not require an employee to have an unreasonable workload in the ordinary discharge of the employee's duties”.

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE

The PSA raised members' concerns in relation to some Managers advising staff that the Government's Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) had a gap of coverage. Dr Sherbon believed that it is not necessary to take out any extra cover when working for SA Health, as Public Sector employees if they are only performing the duties required within the duty statements.  It is only necessary when performing duties outside of their job descriptions eg working independently with private clients. Although it is still up to an individual as to whether to take out extra PII or not, the Public Sector Act, Section 74, provides indemnity.

The PSA is writing formally to SA Health in relation to members taking out unnecessary insurance on the advice of managers, with a claim for payment accordingly.

SPECIALIST DENTISTS

The PSA has been advised that approval has been granted to attach an additional allowance of 10% for Specialist Dentists and 20% for Visiting Dental Specialists, subject to the condition that this allowance is applicable to these employees for the life of the current “South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2010”, after which it will be reviewed. PSA expressed the view that such payments needed to extend beyond SADS.

AH FOI UNIT MOVE

The PSA is in dispute in relation to the lack of consultation with staff over the move. The PSA has written to the Chief Executive over concerns about the move, as the Freedom of Information (FOI) Unit deals with approximately 3,500 applications per year to view copies of medical records, personnel files, prison files, statistical information and sexually transmitted diseases clinical notes. These requests to the FOI Unit come from people form all walks in life, including solicitors, insurance company personnel, Ministers of Parliament, Crown Solicitors, patients and family members.

The PSA is concerned about the inappropriateness of the location the unit has been moved to, the OH&S issues that will need addressing eg mobility accessibility, confidentiality of patient files at risk with member of the public having to walk through Medical Records to get to the viewing office.

Dr Sherbon at this stage is wanting the PSA to work with the management of the Royal Adelaide Hospital to resolve the matter.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR ACT

PSA expressed concern that Health was modifying and issuing Determinations which had been negotiated with the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (CPSE) and would pursue the issue of single Determinations for the Public Sector.

SINGLE STATEWIDE PAEDIATRIC SPEECH PATHOLOGY SERVICE

Dr Sherbon advised that this process is now on hold pending further discussions with the Department for Education & Children's Services (DECS) management and the various Ministers. This process will take a few weeks and if the option is to proceed then the aim is to coincide with the end of January 2011 for the new school year. The PSA raised concerns in relation to the Health Speech Pathologists structures not being at the same levels as DECS Speech Pathologists. The PSA will keep members advised.

25 August 2010