|
 News Flash
PSA
CONSULTATION WITH HEALTH
PSA
officials met with senior Department of Health staff on Friday 23rd
June. The following matters were discussed:
1.
PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM
The
Department of Health confirmed that there is no freeze on jobs in the
Department of Health. There may be some minor restructuring
of
positions/areas but job cuts are not expected.
2.
CEDUNA/KOONIBBA ABORIGINAL HEALTH SERVICE
Department
of Health advised that there will be a Commonwealth Review of this
service. The Commonwealth has advised that the Review will be
looking at the entire service including the current Governance
arrangements. The Review will be conducted by the
Commonwealth
Government and DOH has yet to be advised of the time-frame for the
Review.
3.
MODBURY HOSPITAL
A
cabinet submission has been prepared to provide advice to cabinet on
the strategy for the future of Modbury Hospital. Once
Government has considered the advice then a recommendation will be
made regarding future negotiations with Healthscope. As
indicated in earlier briefings the contracts for other outsourced
services will also be reviewed with a view to moving them back into
the public sector.
4. QUEEN
ELIZABETH HOSPITAL
In
September 2006 the new Child Care
Centre will be completed. This will allow the work to
commence
on the new multi-story car park for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The
new car park is expected to be completed in May
2007.
5. TARGETED
VOLUNTARY SEPARATION PACKAGES
Fifty nine people in the Department
of
Health are eligible for the TVSPs. A very small number of
acceptances have been received. The Health Unit budgets will
be
reduced by the salary of the person taking the package.
The
Commonwealth Government has now advised that the packages are for
eligible tax concessions.
6. ALLIED
HEALTH
The
interviews for a Director of
Allied Health will be held within the next two weeks. As advised at
earlier meetings, there will be a workforce review of Allied
Health.
The Department of Health recognise the need to improve the retention
of Allied Health Professionals and ensure the Department of Health is
able to continue to recruit professional staff.
7. COUNTRY
HEALTH SA
Country Health SA will be
established
from the 1st July 2006. This brings the seven country regions
into one organisation. The PSA has been consulting with
members
to ensure that the transitional arrangements are implemented as
agreed with Management.
8. SECONDMENTS
Some PSA members have been
experiencing difficulty with local management in approving leave
without pay to take up short term promotional contracts in other
areas of the public sector. There is often difficulty in
extending this beyond a year. Whilst recognising that it may create
some difficulty when releasing staff for short-term contracts, Public
Sector efficiency is predicated upon staff seeking promotional
opportunities. Managers should be encouraged to give developmental
opportunities to develop their staff's skills
and
experiences.
For
further information or any questions please contact Ian D Peak,
Senior Industrial Officer on ian@cpsu.asn.au
PSA/CPSU
WORKING FOR YOU
27 June 2006 |
