On Friday 19 December 2008 the PSA attended an Industrial Liaison Committee at SA Health.

The purpose of the Industrial Liaison Committee is to provide a consultative forum between SA Health and the recognised health unions.

The following key agenda items were discussed:

TERMS OF REFERENCE – were reviewed and discussed. It was agreed to move to bi-monthly meetings, with a view to call extraordinary meetings, as required. SA Health to write to unions listing meeting dates for 2009.

PATIENT SAFETY CULTURE SURVEY – Survey is now closed, and results being collated. Results and actions will be available next year.

MULTI-CLASSIFICATION JOB & PERSON SPECIFICATIONS POLICY – the draft policy was tabled for discussion, as this was a long standing practice but there has never been any policy or procedure developed. Management advised that there were various views on multi-classified positions, in particular a desire to broaden the pool of applicants for certain positions within health.

TRANSITION TO RETIREMENT POLICY – the draft policy was tabled for comments in the New Year. The PSA has now received this policy electronically and it is available to members from the PSA web-site. PSA members wishing to comment on the draft policy please email Industrial Officer Sue Cummins on sc@cpsu.asn.au before close of business on Monday 19 January 2009.

MENTAL HEALTH UPDATE – It was reported that whilst there was a Request for Information placed in the Tender Section of the Advertiser recently, this was just information gathering and no decisions have been made in relation to the Aged Care Extended Mental Health Beds. The PSA advised that the Association has already raised concerns with Mr Derek Wright about the delay in the consultation process and have already been advised that consultation will commence in the New Year, with Central Northern Adelaide Health Service Acting Director of Statewide Specialist Services taking the lead in the process.

It was also reported that a draft Management Structure for the six Community Mental Health Services will be out for consultation early in the New Year. Since this meeting the SA Government has announced a delay in the completion of the CMHS Centres until 2013/14. The PSA is concerned about what this will mean for the Mental Health Reform in relation to the recommendations from the Stepping Up Report and PSA is seeking a meeting with Mr Wright in the New Year.

The PSA welcomes any issues members may wish to raise at future industrial forums. Please forward any issues to PSA Industrial Officer Sue Cummins on email sc@cpsu.asn.au

PSA WORKING FOR MEMBERS IN MENTAL HEALTH