HOORAY! ONE GOVERNMENT CUTS BACK ON BUREAUCRATS

It's a start -- and hopefully an example for others

The future of hundreds of health jobs in NSW is still in doubt, the day after the State Government officially slashed the number of area health services from 17 to eight. Nearly six months after Health Minister Morris Iemma announced the merger of health services, NSW Health employees, mainly working in administrative roles, are waiting to hear if their jobs are safe. Health Services Union assistant secretary Peter Mylan said about 625 positions were expected to be lost, but the Government has kept employees in the dark. "No one is aware of what the future will bring," he said. "We have raised with them, prior to Christmas, the concerns of our members and their handling of this. They are not having real frank discussions with us."

The Department of Health has confirmed administrative jobs will be reduced over the next two years. "Staff should be reassured that there will be no forced redundancies," a spokeswoman said. She said the new chief executives of the eight larger area health services will report to NSW Health this month on changes to staffing levels and "projected savings".

Mr Mylan said employees were anxious and the Government should have alleviated concerns before Christmas. "We have been advised that in the latter part of January we will be consulted with," he said. The Government has predicted that the amalgamation of the area health services will direct about $100 million into frontline health services.

The health department's spokeswoman said the merger would also reduce administrative duplication and inefficiencies, improve the distribution of the health workforce and increase the numbers of doctors, nurses and hospital beds. The new area health services are South Western Sydney, South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra, Western Sydney, Northern Sydney/Central Coast, Hunter/New England, North Coast, Greater Western and Greater Southern

Source

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For greatest efficiency, lowest cost and maximum choice, ALL hospitals and health insurance schemes should be privately owned and run -- with government-paid vouchers for the very poor and minimal regulation.

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