Clerical transition for SMHS
Friday 09 May 2014
For staff affected by the Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) transition, following are some of the issues discussed at the recent Transition Unit meetings at RPH.
SMHS stated that RPH is to be down 32% in Inpatient services and 50% in Outpatients, but will continue to operate as a smaller tertiary site. Fremantle Hospital and Health Service (FHHS) and Bentley Health Service (BHS) will become specialist hospitals and Armadale Health Service (AHS) and Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) will become larger general hospitals.
SMHS gave a commitment that no permanent health staff will lose their jobs. They highlighted vacancies coming up in AHS, RGH and FSH, and are targeting the release of these vacancies for the end of May.
All affected RPH/FHHS staff will have first priority with vacancies at other SMHS sites.
When asked by those who live north of the river about options within NMHS, the speaker for the Transition Unit said they really have nothing to do with NMHS and other Health Services, so could not provide information about their likely employment availabilities, but mentioned that these other services are facing their own reconfigurations and restructures.
SMHS stated the forums have been set up to provide information for permanent staff only. Some FTC staff felt aggrieved by this, but the transition staff said once matters for permanent staff were settled other staff matters could be reviewed.
SMHS claimed all current FTC terms would be honoured, but beyond that, there will be no guarantees.
All staff in permanent job-share or similar arrangements will have their substantive FTE reviewed with a view to having it fit in the structures, but there is no guarantee they will be able to retain their current arrangement.
There may be a spill-and-fill process, based initially on a desktop assessment, which should address the majority of positions, and those not able to be resolved in this way will go through a merit selection process.
FTE numbers are to be confirmed and the Transition Unit encouraged staff to be 'proactive' and start looking for employment options elsewhere, suggesting AHS, RGH, and FSH.
Some Departments may not change, and letters will only be sent to staff whose positions will be affected by the transition.
Phases 1 and 2 will not affect RPH but Phase 3 (February) will, so they are again encouraging staff to look at alternative employment options now.
We suggest staff talk to their line management and the Transition Unit - and the union - now.
The union is meeting with SMHS senior management to further discuss these issues. If you have had different advice or information given to you please let us know at union@hsuwa.com.au
