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New lease on life
for ailing Health
A comprehensive plan to abolish Queensland Health has been unveiled by the Premier, Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh said the final report detailed the most significant shake-up of Health to be undertaken in Queensland and the largest decentralisation of a public sector agency in the State’s history.
“This is about a new beginning in health care in Queensland and the abolition of Queensland Health as we know it,” Ms Bligh said.
“This plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to start from scratch and deliver the health system Queenslanders want and deserve.”
| Replacement plan finalised |
She said the report was prepared by consultant, Shane Solomon and recommended the breakup of Queensland Health to create smaller agencies including Health and Hospitals Queensland (HHQ) with 1,751 staff; a Health Corporate Services Authority (HCSA) with 4,217 staff; 17 Local Health and Hospital Networks; and an additional Health and Hospital Network to provide State-wide clinical services such as pathology and radiology.
Ms Bligh said the plan outlined a bold vision for the future of health in Queensland.
“As part of the national health reform project, health care will be managed locally by local networks,” she said.
“But now we will split the old Queensland Health into two new government entities under separate Directors-General, who will provide dedicated leadership and defined accountabilities.”
Ms Bligh said HHQ would lead policy development and innovation in the areas of hospital and clinical service delivery as well as focus on initiatives such as continuing the waiting list reductions.
She Dr Tony O’Connell, who was recently appointed Director General of the old Queensland Health would lead the new HHQ.
She said HCSA would be responsible for providing corporate services that better supported frontline health staff, including functions such as finance, human resourcing systems and ICT.
“We will conduct a nationwide search to recruit a high level CEO and in the interim Ms Helen Gluer will be appointed to lead the transition to the new agency,” Ms Bligh said.
“Ms Gluer has extensive experience in both the banking and financial services industry and senior management.”
The Premier said core frontline health service delivery would now be arranged through 17 Local Health and Hospital Networks, meaning services would be delivered by the community, for the community, in the community.
“Under our plan, an additional Health and Hospital Network will also be established to provide clinical services that need to be delivered at a statewide level, such as pathology and radiology,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the two new agencies and local health and hospital networks would be in place from 1 July 2012.
The consultant’s report can be accessed at this PS News link.
Edition 201, 26 January 2012
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