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 consultation mechanism between the Department of Health Management and the recognised Health Care Unions which addresses industrial matters pertaining to Health Portfolio wide industrial relations issues.

On Friday 19 September 2008 the ILC discussed the following key agenda items:

FOOD SERVICE FACILITIES REVIEW UPDATE – This Review now on hold to allow further planning to take into account the new Marjory Jackson Hospital development.  The Public Private Partnership (PPP) tendering process is in progress. It has not determined whether food services for The Marj would be public or private. It is possible that a cook/chill facility will be considered. Concerns were raised by the PSA and the other unions in relation to the potential outsourcing of services and past history of cook/chill not being successful. 

Food Services for the planned new hospital at Glenside Campus may have to be an interim arrangement, as this facility's completion date is 2011.

It is proposed that the time frame for completion of the Food Service Facilities Recommendations coming out of the review will be co-ordinated with the expected opening of The Marj in 2016.  A Business Case is about to be developed and further updates will be given at the next ILC.

PATIENT SAFETY CULTURE SURVEY UPDATE
Posters and Survey Forms are being printed and will be distributed shortly.  The names of the Responsible Officer for each region will be sent to the PSA for information.  The option of completing the survey on line will also occur and staff will be encouraged to complete the survey during work time.

MENTAL HEALTH
Intermediate Care Units are now at the planning stage with reference groups established.  $6.8 million has been allocated in the State Budget.  First to be built are Noarlunga (15 beds), Glenside Campus (15 beds) and Mount Gambier (10 beds).  Two further units will be situated in the western and north eastern regions of Adelaide, and a further 30 beds planned for country areas.

Supported Accommodation is in the planning stage with 40 on the Glenside site 20 within the hospital and the remaining scattered within the residential areas.  Two double units at Dover Gardens, as part of the 'Returning Home' Project are also being planned. These will be staffed by a Non Government Organisation (NGO), with input from the Community Teams.

It was also reported that the 60 beds in the three Community Rehabilitation Centres are now in operation. $25 million has been announced in the State Budget for the six Community Mental Health Centres, but only $1.7 million has been allocated for this Financial Year.  The Project Team has commenced.   The PSA raised concerns about resources for the Outer and Inner Southern Emergency Response Teams at NEMHS and SACIS (Noarlunga Emergency Mental Health Service and Southern Assertive Crisis Intervention Service). There is concern that these six Community Mental Health Centres will take some time to build and only a small amount has been budgeted this financial year.   There is an urgency of having an additional 7 ftes for NEMHS to be able to service the Outer Southern area.  In additional concerns that the Booked Assessment Service at Marion has a 4-6 week waiting list. This is likely to put added pressures on the two Emergency Departments of SAHS.  Management were advised that the PSA and the ANF were writing to the Chief Executive of SA Health.

UPDATE OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANUAL - The unions have been advised in writing of the relevant changes and were advised at the ILC of the change in format to a pdf document, which will be easier to revise.  The aim is to revise this manual every three months and the next update will be looking at whole sections, eg. disciplinary, special leave with pay.  The PSA has raised concerns in writing previously about some wording of the manual not reflecting award/enterprise agreement clauses. These errors were not being corrected.  Examples were given in relation to rest period after overtime and employees rostered over 7 days per week (in relation to the annual leave entitlement).  General agreement amongst the unions were that Unions should be consulted at the beginning of any proposed changes not at the end of the process.  Comments are to be in by 2nd October 2008.

SHARED SERVICES – The PSA advised that a meeting of members was to occur and as an outcome of that meeting the PSA are now in dispute.  Work Bans are now in place.  PSA members are advised to respect the bans, of members transferring to Shared Services SA, as these members will be disadvantaged financially.

RECLASSIFICATION PROCESS FOR MEDICAL SCIENTISTS – Due to SA Pathology being established there are a number of Medical Scientist applications for reclassification been placed on hold, even though they were not part of the transition to the new service.  Concerns were raised about the process of assessment, as the Medical Scientist Classification Committee eg RAH and IMVS was a combined committee of peers and management from each agency.   PSA advised that SA Pathology will be consulting on their process but that may not include other Medical Scientists from the other hospitals.

PSA/CPSU WORKING WITH MEMBERS IN HEALTH