Non-emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) Reform Update

Transcription

1 Newsletter: 79/2014 Date: 16 April 2014 Distribution: All public health & ambulance reps Contact: Your organiser Non-emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) Reform Update Dear Member, Attached are minutes of NEPT state-wide Union Specific Consultation Committee (USCC) meeting on 7 April The Ministry was unable to advise at this meeting on the location for the Southern Hub: the Minister is yet to make a decision between Wagga and Goulburn. Disappointingly, the Ministry has ignored its own consultant s report and chosen to ratify the decision, advised at the December USCC, to close Rankin Park despite having previously advised us that Rankin Park was going to be maintained. Also attached is an EOI document and timetable tabled at this meeting so the Ministry and HealthShare could find out which affected staff are interested in what roles at the Greater Metro Hub in Parramatta and what number of staff wish to remain at the LHD. The HSU has only agreed for step 1 to occur and has stated that further discussions need to occur prior to steps 2 and 3 after we receive the reports via our freedom of information application. The Ministry also tabled a revised workforce profile of affected staff in the LHD the attached, and a number of LHDs FTE numbers are lower than originally advised. As an example Sydney LHD was 4.00FTE and is now 1.00 FTE; however 3 staff still received the EOI. You will note from the minutes that the HSU has sought the Service Level Agreement between the LHDs and HealthShare given our members concerns with this service being rumoured to be contracted out in the future. Furthermore the HSU has sought written clarity and evidence that the electronic booking system was subject to proper market testing prior to Optima Net being chosen. The Ministry refused at the USCC in April to answer these questions, but I note the minutes reflect they have now agreed to provide this information.

2 The HSU s request for relocation assistance has been agreed to by the Ministry and the HSU will provide the written confirmation of this to members once it is received. The union and our USCC delegates still believe that Optima Net can be implemented at an LHD level as the loss of experienced staff by implementing the new Hub at Parramatta and local knowledge will be critical during the transitional period and ongoing. For this reason the HSU has requested an extended period of time to analyse live trial data prior to LHD staff being moved from their current locations. It is important to note that Optima Net has yet to operate live in real life circumstances that are not controlled or with a minimum number of vehicles. HSU delegates on the state wide USCC have taken the position to write to their local state MPs to raise concerns about the number of local positions being lost with this reform, and the negative impact those losses will have on the delivery of patient care to local residents. The HSU is ready to take whatever appropriate action is required if the Ministry and/or Health Share attempt to progress to steps 2 and 3 of the EOI timetable or relocate LHD staff, other than Ambulance and Northern Sydney, to the Metro Hub at Parramatta. We will continue to provide information on this matter as it comes to hand. Yours sincerely, Gerard Hayes Secretary, HSU NSW/ACT.

3 Non Emergency Patient Transport Union Specific Consultative Committee MINUTES Meeting Date and Time 7 April 2014 at 10.00am Attendees Carolyn Synnott (Chair, MOH), Adam Hall (HSU), Donna Sizeland (HSU), Maree Mitchell (HSU), Noelene Salmon (HS), Lisa Ottavi (HS), Jennifer Van Cleef (MOH), Melanie Frost (MOH), Suraj Gandha (MOH), Sharmaine Cohen (ASNSW), Marion Szalay (MOH) Via teleconference: Mark Sterrey (HSU), Debbie Katon (HSU), Kevin O Malley (HNELHD) Margo Roland (HNELHD). 1. Apologies: Ted Tamplin (USU) 2. Minutes of the Meeting of 11 February 2014: Accepted. 3. Matters Arising Reference was made to the agreed action items in minutes of 11 February 2014: i. The proposed meeting between HNELHD staff and Ms Van Cleef did not proceed in accordance with the request of HNELHD staff. ii. The live demonstration of the Optima system was conducted on 3 April iii. HSU feedback on the new position descriptors no issues were raised. iv. Ministry to consider the points raised by the HSU in relation to the Rankin Park booking office this had occurred, but the decision on the booking hub structure remains unchanged. v. Ministry to advise on the Southern Satellite location the location of the Southern Satellite is expected to be available within the next 2 weeks. vi. Advertisement of the 8 permanent positions in the Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub this occurred and the new staff will commence training shortly. Mr Hall was concerned that the Southern Satellite staff would be disadvantaged if action is taken to issue an EOI to affected staff of LHDs. Ms Synnott indicated that 3 positions in the Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub will be held until the Southern Satellite location is resolved. This will enable the affected regional staff to respond to an EOI for the metropolitan positions. vii. Ms Synnott advised that the Ministry had approved additional relocation assistance for affected staff. This was based upon the same geographical boundaries contained in the current policy provisions, for staff who are redeployed into one of the new Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub positions. The full requirements and provisions are contained in a Determination that will be forwarded to the HSU. 4. Technology Optima System a. Operational Demonstration at Regents Park 3 April 2014 Mr Hall thanked Ms Van Cleef and everyone involved for organising and providing the demonstration at Regents Park. He considered it looked good. Also he thought that the person operating the system would have a big job, using the system and the radio. He expected that there would be less auto-scheduling once all vehicles and jobs were on the system. Mr Gandha advised that the system would continue to auto-schedule with more vehicles and more jobs. If there were more jobs than the vehicles could manage, then a message or alert would be sent. The system would not accept more jobs than could be managed, rather these would be managed as required by the booking hub as we saw in the demonstration.

4 b. Electronic Booking System (EBS) Ms Van Cleef advised that the Ambulance EBS would be replaced by Optima web on 24 May On that day, LHDs will no longer use EBS, but will use Optima web to book Ambulance NEPT. This is being organised in Ambulance and LHDs through a steering committee to ensure a smooth transition. 5. Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub a. Parramatta Premises Ms Van Cleef advised that the Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub office is at The Octagon at 110 George Street, Parramatta. It is currently being fitted out. Mr Hall asked for the HSU to visit at a convenient time and Ms Van Cleef agreed. b. EOI Booking Hub Positions Mr Hall was concerned that NSLHD staff had already received letters that they were affected under the MES Policy and they would be advantaged over other LHD staff. Ms Synnott advised that the Ministry wants to have all affected booking and scheduling staff in LHDs formally advised that they were affected under the MES Policy and to circulate the EOI for the Booking Hub positions. Mr Hall expressed his concern at the number of positions in the Booking Hub were not sufficient compared to the current staff performing the work. Ms Van Cleef tabled the updated staff numbers with the latest data provided by the LHDs. This showed there were positions affected by the new Booking Hub, a number of which were vacant as indicated on the table. Ms Salmon advised of the EOI process and timing. Documents were tabled to show the process and a draft of the EOI. It was also advised that templates would be given with the EOI to assist staff in responding. If there were insufficient applicants, external advertising of the positions would occur. Mr Hall indicated he had no problem with the EOI but wanted an extended period before LHDs were rolled into the Booking Hub due to the impact on staff and their LHD positions (see further discussion at 5(d)). c. Transition of Ambulance NEPT Booking and Scheduling Ms Van Cleef advised that Ambulance NEPT would transition into the Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub commencing 24 May 2014 and was expected to occur very quickly from then (about 8 days). From the same date, Ambulance NEPT electronic booking system (EBS) will cease and the electronic bookings will occur through Optima web. d. Transition of Local Health Districts Mr Hall advised that the HSU position was that after Ambulance and NSLHD transition into the Booking Hub that there should be an extended period where there can be an assessment of the system before any other LHDs transition. Ms Van Cleef advised that the intention is to monitor the transition of Ambulance and then around July 14 commence the LHD transition into the Booking Hub, starting with NSLHD. The Ministry was keen to realise the benefits for patients and facilities of the Booking Hub and the new technology. Mr Hall said he would like to have another USCC in June, when the HSU can review the data on the operation of the system. 2

5 6. EOI for SESLHD Update Ms Van Cleef advised that the Request for Tender was issued on 1 April 2014 and it closes on 5 May This was expected to be followed up with contract discussions and the new service would commence in October New Business Mr Hall raised the issue of the delay in receiving a response to his GIPA request regarding NEPT Reports. He had recently received advice that the latest delay was due to an EOI process was this the SESLHD EOI? Ms Van Cleef confirmed that this was the only EOI. Ms Katon asked if staff will be offered redundancy. Ms Synnott advised that under the MES Policy the preference was to redeploy staff. Mr O Malley advised that discussions will occur in HNELHD with the affected staff. Mr Sterrey asked who will identify the affected staff. Ms Synnott advised that LHDs will identify the affected staff, will hold discussions with those staff and will undertake the usual HR functions. Mr Hall indicated that there are rumours that there will be no same day patient transports, or if there were they will attract a higher penalty payment. Ms Van Cleef advised that these rumours were not true bookings can be made on the day that transport is required and there is no higher charge for this. Mr Hall asked for a copy of the service level agreement that will be entered into with LHDs. Ms Van Cleef and Ms Salmon will seek advice on what can be provided. Mr Hall asked if he could be advised of the details of the Optima system tender process. This was agreed. 8. Next Meeting The next meeting will be scheduled in June It was agreed that: i. The Ministry will advise Mr Hall via on the location of the Southern Regional Satellite, when it is known. ii. The Ministry will advise Mr Hall via if external advertising of the Booking Hub positions is required following the internal EOI. iii. iv. The Ministry will advise Mr Hall via of the tender process for the Optima system. The Ministry will provide a copy of the Determination on additional relocation assistance to Mr Hall via . v. The HSU will be invited to visit the Booking Hub when it is operational. vi. vii. The Ministry will provide data to the next meeting on the Ambulance fleet operation in the Booking Hub. The Ministry will advise on Mr Hall s request for the LHD Service Level Agreement at the next meeting. 3

6 NEPT Master LHD - Workforce Profile - Booking and Scheduling Staff - METRO - FINAL 07/04/ hrs LHD FTE Classification Position Name Brief Description of current role ASNSW ASNSW 9.00 HNELHD HNELHD 0.70 AO 1 Call Taker/Scheduler Booking and Scheduling HNELHD 1.49 AO 2 Call Taker/Scheduler Booking, Scheduling HNELHD 0.71 AO 4 Call Taker/Scheduler Booking and Scheduling HNELHD 0.76 A02 Vacant FTE ISHLHD ISHLHD 1.00 AO 4 Transport Scheduler Booking, Scheduling and Admin ISHLHD 2.50 Vacant FTE NMB NMB 0.39 AO 2 Transport Coordinator Booking and Admin NS NS 1.26 AO 3 Booking Officer Bookings NS 0.42 GA 3 Dispatch Officer Scheduling, dispatching and bookings NS 1.00 GA 3 Booking Officer Bookings (regular relief as Dispatcher) NS 2.00 GA 10 Dispatch Officer Scheduling and Dispatching NS 1.00 GA 10 Vacant FTE NS 1.00 GA 3 Vacant FTE SESLHD SESLHD 0.84 AO 2 Vacant FTE 5WS (requires FTE confirmation) SWS 1.50 GA 7 General Admin Staff SYD SYD 1.00 GA 7 Transport Bookings & Operations Supervisor Booking, Scheduling and Admin WSYD WSYD 3.45 AO 2 I Admissions Clerk Booking and scheduling of Pt transfers TOTAL 30.02

7 E01 TIMETABLE 1. Week commencing 7 April issue E01, including request for preferences for positions & consideration of promotional positions. 2. Week 2 - matching employees & positions. If at this stage there are more positions than employees expressing an interest, issue of E01 to all of Health and external for remaining roles. 3. Week 3 - interviews for any promotional positions or where selection required eg more employees that available positions. (again a short week may have difficulty completing the interviews)

8 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Dear Employees, As you may be aware, NEPT will transition to HealthShare NSW in July We are currently accepting Expressions of Interest for the following roles in the Greater Metropolitan Hub based in Parramatta: Booking Hub Team Leaders GAll (4.5 FTE) Booking and Scheduling Officers A05 (9FTE) Booking Officers A02 (5 FTE) Position descriptions for each of these roles are attached along with templates to assist you in making an application. Next Steps We encourage you to consider these vacancies and express Our interest. Expressions of interest for a role equivalent to your current role will not require a full application instead you will need to express your interest in the relevant Template '1 attached and send it to Melanie Frost Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub Manager. A matching process will then occur and direct appointments will then be made. If you would like to be considered for a promotional role you will be required to submit your application on the relevant Template 2 and include a current resume and details of 2 referees. When expressing your interest in ri-kire than one role, please include your preferences. Should you wish to discuss this process further, please contact myself in the first instance or Melanie Frost Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub Manager on or mfros@doh.health.nsw.gov.au. Regards, LHD HR Manager