News Flash

SA Health has established a dedicated union consultative forum to discuss the standardisation of car parking charges at metropolitan hospitals. Public Service Association (PSA) attended the meeting.

An update on progress on matters previously raised at these forums included:

1. Infrastructure provider announced as SABAR.
2. 60 additional sealed car parks at Hampstead are being considered.
3. Working through exemption policy in regard to brain injured clients at Hampstead.
4. Lighting and security reviews for the first 3 priority sites have been conducted and awaiting report. It was agreed that outcome of report to be shared with unions.
5. Unions to be kept informed of anticipated dates and external factors impacting on implementation dates.
6. Communication to staff anticipated to take place soon. Employees to be provided with a package explaining the process.
7. Tentative dates for implementation at 3 priority sites have been revised to June 2011.
8. Attempting to align employee and public charging as close as possible.
9. Part-time employees – all employees will be treated on 'first come first served' basis, except where site management require priority parking for specific staff.
10. Details of IMVS and SA Pathology staff parking issues were forwarded to SA Health who will report back at the next meeting. This may be an issue for the Royal Adelaide Hospital car parking vendor.

Clarification has been sought by the unions on how car parks will be guaranteed. SA Health advised it will initially issue a conservative number of permits in order to understand demand, with the ability to increase permits. SA Health also advised that the best way to guarantee employees a car park is to be separating public and employee areas. The Vendor SABAR to assist in determining the feasibility of options such as 'flipping' public/employee designated car parks at night.

A communication method with employees is being developed by SA Health with the potential of holding information sessions and/or providing information electronically.
The 3 priority sites are:

• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• Modbury Hospital
• Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre

Discussion took place in regard to future sites and the next ones being implemented, which will be:

Noarlunga Health Service
Lyell McEwin Hospital
Repatriation General Hospital

Procedures pertaining to security, lighting, permits, resurfacing will be dealt with in the same way as Stage 1.

Please see presentation from SA Health Car Park Reform update here.

Whilst participating in meetings, PSA remains of the view that the new charging arrangements are not appropriate and that for workers, they represent an effective cut in take home pay.

 28 June 2011