Dr. David Panter and senior Health staff met with the Health unions, PSA, LHMU, SASMOA, AEA, APESMA and ANF to discuss the Public Private Partnership arrangements for the proposed Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Hospital.

The meeting was advised that the new hospital is the centrepiece of future health planning. It will shape new work processes and approaches to care and transform the health care agenda.

Focus groups have been established and have been meeting to consider models of care for the future. These new models of care will form the basis of the specifications for the Public Private Partnership tender. The Government intends to follow the Victorian partnership model for determining the successful tender by an interactive tendering process.

The proposed timelines for the project are:

Expressions of interest to be called in November 2008
        Process of developing tenders throughout 2009
        Tender to be accepted by early 2010
        Construction to commence in 2010

The consortiums interested in the project will be asked to provide quotes on a number of operational services. No clinical services and nothing beyond the existing "hotel services" will be part of the partnership arrangement. The Government is suggesting that this project will not go beyond existing outsourcing arrangements. However, some consideration is being given to seeking quotations on administrative services, beyond those that come within the scope of shared services. 

The PSA raised concerns about any proposal to have the administrative and engineering services provided by the private sector. This would have a significant impact on public sector employees expecting to establish a career in the public sector. The PSA will oppose any suggestion that these or other positions traditionally in the Public Service be outsourced.

Dr Panter advised that there is no intention to include a private hospital in the new hospital precinct. 

Whilst a commitment was given by Health representatives to full and transparent consultation, concerns were raised that the consultative process has not been established and unions had not had the opportunity to be involved in discussion in relation to the models of care currently being considered by focus groups. Unions indicated an in principle commitment to this project but were adamant that formal consultation with the unions needed to occur at every step of the project. Unions would be very concerned if union members did not have an opportunity to participate in the decision making in relation to the design of the new hospital.

Specific consultation will occur with unions and in addition regular reports will be provided at the recently established Health Industrial Liaison Committee. Any members wishing to be involved in the consulting process for this project should contact Ian Peak.

For further information please contact Ian Peak on ian@cpsu.asn.au or 8205 3294.