Rumours of further delays at Fiona Stanley
Monday 31 Mar 2014
The planned opening date for Fiona Stanley Hospital is rapidly approaching and yet it seems little information is available, even for the people who want to work there.
The HSUWA has been calling for information from the Health Department for almost two years now. Formal requests were submitted and ultimately the Union commenced a dispute in the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission back in September 2013. That dispute is still active and yet little further information is available.
The absence of information, mass confusion caused by broken HR processes and the looming opening date are generating nothing but rumours and fears, hardly an ideal environment for a new hospital. The HSUWA is hearing many of these rumours including that there will be further delays in opening and that ongoing cost blow-outs are resulting in cut-backs before the first day of operation.
It is important that our members understand the status of discussions we've had with the Health Department and the ongoing dispute. Below is some information about some of the more significant open items in dispute and the position HIRS has taken:
What We Need | Response from HIRS |
Staff Plans, Structures and Classifications including the basis for decisions at Fiona Stanley | Plans are 'not available' |
Information for our members on work hours, responsibilities and reporting lines in order to make informed decisions | 'It's not possible to provide that information at this stage' |
Staff Plans, Structures and Classifications including the basis for decisions at Royal Perth and Fremantle Hospitals | 'Not available until at least mid-2014' |
List of redundant positions at Royal Perth and Fremantle Hospitals | 'Cannot be identified and mostly not known' |
Confirmation of SERCO's scope of services | Not yet finalised |
Information on the number and nature of fixed-term contractors across WA Health | Agreed to provide this information late 2013. Not yet received |
This situation is simply unacceptable. Either the WA Department of Health has this information and is withholding it or its planning efforts are abysmal.
HSUWA is continuing to pursue this dispute and to consult with our members, particularly those at Fremantle and Royal Perth Hospitals. If you'd like more detailed information or to arrange a meeting for your department, please email union@hsuwa.com.au
