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OVERVIEW DRAFT HEALTH CARE BILL

The Health Care Plan (released June 2007) proposes to establish a vision for the provision of health services and infrastructure in South Australia, in providing an integrated health care system.

The draft Bill identifies a legislative frame-work to reduce existing service fragmentation, duplication and inconsistency in planning, funding and governance.

The change introduced by the draft Bill is to ensure the Department of Health, through the Chief Executive Officer, has direct responsibility and accountability for managing the South Australian public health system.

The Department of Health, together with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Mental Health, will have a greater capacity to implement consistent statewide planning and better coordination and integration of public health services.

Metropolitan regional structures will remain as incorporated hospitals; Southern Adelaide Health Service, Central Northern Adelaide Health Service and Children, Youth & Women's Health Service. Country Health SA will also be an incorporated hospital.

The Chief Executive Officer of each of the incorporated hospitals will report directly to the Chief Executive of the Department of Health rather than to Directors of Boards of these regions (these Boards are no longer required).

Repatriation General Hospital will be able to choose if it wishes to become part of the Southern Adelaide Health Service or continue as an incorporated hospital with its own Board of Directors.

PSA/CPSU WORKING FOR MEMBERS IN HEALTH

18 July 2007