|
MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES LABORATORY WORKLOAD
On
Thursday 22 March 2007, Public Service Association (PSA) members at
the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Flinders Medical
Centre, met with the PSA to discuss the management response to an
excessive workload issue. The PSA had previously raised this issue in
a letter to Chief Executive , Southern Adelaide Health Service
(SAHS). Members are not happy with the proposed remedy as it does not
alleviate the problem of excessive workloads. The following was
raised with regard to the proposed remedy:
The restriction of weekend services to urgent activities only would have a majorimpact on turn around times for testing and subsequent patient care. The “non urgent” work would simply accrue to be done on Mondays and Tuesdays thus exacerbating workloads with a flow on effect for the rest of the week. The proposed new state pathology entity is only in the early development stage and is not able to offer any relief in the short term and probably not for some time. The sending of tuberculosis testing off site has little effect on providing workload relief. Members consider that additional staff is the only option available to reduce workloads to a safe level while maintaining appropriate patient care services. The PSA draws attention to the South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2006 which states at Clause 11.4 “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”. The PSA requested an urgent meeting with management to discuss what will be done to resolve the workload issue in a genuine and sustainable manner. Please direct any queries to either Ted Szarek, PSA Industrial Officer, phone 8205 3213 or email tcs@cpsu.asn.au PSA WORKING FOR YOU 23 March
2007
|
© Copyright PSA/CPSU, SPSF (SA Branch)
News Flash