HEALTH INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS FORUM 021107

HEALTH INDUSTRIAL LIAISON FORUM

On Friday 26 October 2007 PSA Industrial Officer Dolly Costello together with Industrial Officer Sue Cummins attended the Department of Health Industrial Liaison Forum. The following key agenda items were discussed.

SHARED SERVICES/PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM
On 15 October 2007 Cabinet approved the establishment of Shared Services SA, under the Department of Treasury and Finance. Payroll, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable will be the first services to be transitioned in the first quarter of 2008. Country Health SA positions will also transfer to Adelaide. Staff who choose not to transfer to Adelaide will be deemed surplus to requirements. PSA expressed concern about the level of consultation and lack of information from the Department especially for members in Country SA where redeployment will be a significant issue as moving to the City means leaving their homes, schools, etc.

SA METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH), Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), Repatriation General Hospital (RGH) and Lyell McEwin Health Service (LMSH) are currently undergoing an efficiency and performance review. The objectives of the review are to:

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.
In conjunction with the hospital, the region and Department of Health develop an implementation plan for the agreed recommendation.
Make recommendations on appropriate methods for Department of Health, the region and hospital to monitor the efficiency and performance of the hospital.

Draft terms of Reference and a Consultative Framework to consult with unions have been prepared.

Paxton and Partners will be scheduling staff forums shortly to address staff on the review. Members are requested to make every effort to attend. Your hospital's forum scheduled dates and times will be advised by your hospital management.

MENTAL HEALTH REFORM
Implementation of the Social Inclusion Board Report continues. The Shared Care with GP program is busy recruiting staff. The program works closely with General Practitioners and other health professionals in metropolitan and country areas. A number of positions, including Social Workers, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists are currently being filled.

COUNTRY HEALTH SA

Applicants for four Regional Hospital Director positions will be interviewed at the end of October.
Country Health SA is in the process of establishing a Task Group to address issues and give support to staff on the processes to be followed on the establishment of shared Services for Regional Health Services.

OPEN ARCHITECTURE AND CLINICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (OACIS)
In August 2007 a workshop was held with clinical representatives from across health to establish the future work priorities for OACIS. These priorities are now to form the work schedule for the OACIS program. To support the work schedule a number of changes are being considered to take effect from 1 January 2008. Site Coordinators positions will be retitled Regional Coordinators.

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

PSA WORKING FOR YOU

2 November 2007