News Flash

The South Australian Government announced the consolidation of Imaging Services throughout SA Health into one organisation as part of the former Treasurer, Kevin Foley's 2010 State Budget savings initiatives. SA Health engaged Ernst & Young to undertake a review and provide recommendations with the aim of streamlining and optimising delivery.

This review has now been completed and consultation has occurred, where feedback was sought from staff and key stakeholders.

The feedback has now been presented to the SA Imaging Steering Committee for consideration when determining the preferred model for SA Imaging.  A document has been developed, SA Health's Response to SA Imaging Review, to provide the framework for the implementation of SA Imaging and to support the project planning for the implementation of the service.  This document also provides a high level summary of key feedback themes received throughout the consultation process.

PSA members who have concerns in relation to the above document are encouraged to email Senior Industrial Officer Sue Cummins at sc@cpsu.asn.au so these matters can be raised at the next meeting of the Imaging Consultation Committee.

At the first Imaging Consultation Committee meeting in late April it was agreed that the committee would not meet again until concerns raised particularly around the governance model were known in light of the formation of the Local Health Networks (LHN's).

The PSA raised concerns on the following matters:

Uncertainty of the organisational model and reporting arrangements for the consolidated Imaging Service
The effect of multiple organisational change at this time ie the imaging consolidation, the establishment of LHN's and the dissolution of Adelaide Health Service (AHS).
The uncertainty of the maintenance of Salary Sacrifice for staff.

The PSA has now received correspondence dated 24 May 2011 and within that letter Mr David Swan, Chief Executive of SA Health has advised “that staff who continue to work and are located within the Local Health Networks will retain access to Fringe Benefit Taxation exemptions and it is anticipated that the Human Resource and Industrial Relations consultative process will address the majority of the staffing issues being raised”.

In another forum in relation to the formation of the LHN's PSA has been advised that SA Health are seeking a further written Tax Ruling from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).  The PSA will keep members informed of this ongoing concern.