SOUTH AUSTRALIAN METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW

INFORMATION UPDATE NUMBER # 1

The Public Service Association (PSA) met with the Metropolitan Hospital Efficiency and Performance Review Steering Committee at Department of Health (DH) on 10 October 2007.

The following major metropolitan public hospitals together with respective regional operations are included in the Scope of Work:

• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH)

• Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH)

• Lyell McEwin Hospital

• Repatriation General Hospital (RGH)

At the meeting DH tabled a Terms of Reference and Consultative Framework for the project.

The Terms of Reference include the following as objectives of the review:

• Identify factors impacting on the ability of the hospitals to deliver efficient health services.

• Identify factors impacting on the financial viability and sustainability of the hospital.

• Make recommendations to improve the efficiency, financial viability and sustainability of the hospital.

The PSA expressed concern regarding the level of consultation to date. The Terms of Reference indicate that this is another exercise in finding savings and cost cutting which will ultimately impact on our members. Paxtons Partners responded stating that the first step is to understand the clinical footprint of the services and then complete a financial analysis.

The PSA reminded DH of their obligations to consult.

DH advised that staff forums would be arranged at the worksites for all to be briefed and PSA would be invited to these forums. The report regarding the analysis stage of the review will also be provided to the PSA at the next Steering Committee meeting on 30 October 2007.

For enquiries contact PSA Industrial Officer Dolly Costello on 8205 3244 or email: dlc@cpsu.asn.au

PSA WORKING FOR MEMBERS IN HEALTH