On Monday 2 June 2008 PSA Industrial officer Dolly Costello attended the Country Health Industrial Liaison Committee(ILC). The Country Health ILC is a strategic forum that addresses operational/industrial issues across Country Health SA.

The following key agenda items were discussed:-

Health Care Bill
The Health Care Act was assented to on 13 March 2008 and is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2008.

A communication plan is being developed to ensure that all staff are informed of the changes. The changes will not impact on service delivery.

A number of of Human Resource Management related actions have been identified including:-

• The need to change J&P Specifications for country CEO's who will now have a change of title and will report to an operational Executive Director rather than to a board.

• Advice to Country Health SA staff re eligibility for FBT exemption

Governance Arrangements post 1 July 2008
Governance responsibilities and accountabilities will transfer from the CHSA Board and Local Health Service Boards to CHSA Chief Executive on 1 July 2008 at the time of the Board's dissolution.

Work has commenced to establish a Governance committee framework to ensure that there is a smooth transition across the five domains of:

• Finance

• Risk management and audit

• Clinical governance (including credentialing)

• Safety and quality

• Workforce Safety

Mental Health Bill
The new Mental Health Bill 2007 has been drafted to replace the Mental Health Act 1993.
The Bill is currently awaiting introduction into Parliament for debate.

Country Health SA will consult with PSA on any industrial implications of the new legislation once its fate is determined by Parliament.

CHSA Services Plan
The draft plan is nearing completion and CHSA anticipate that the Minister will release the draft for public comment in the near future.

Appointments Operational Clusters
Appointments have been made to the Director positions for the two (2) new clusters within the Central Operations Group; Yorke and Lower North, Barossa-Gawler-Eudunda-Kapunda.
CHSA will consult with PSA on the organisational structures which sit below the Director positions.

Workforce Services and Finance Structures
The CHSA Workforce Services structure became operational from 14 April 2008.
Work continues on the establishment of the Finance structure. This will include the establishment of Manager Corporate Services roles because of their close linkage and interface with the Finance structure, although they will report to the operational structure in each cluster/business unit.

Community Health Services Review
Preliminary work had been done on the review. It was agreed to incorporate this piece of work into the development of the CHSA Service Plan.