UNIONS are worried that allied health jobs in areas like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry will be axed as part of the redundancy process at Tasmanian Health Organisation South.
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According to a staff memo provided to unions, expressions of interest for redundancy will be sought from staff working in corporate support, administration, allied health "where targeted reductions have been advised", and other roles not providing direct service delivery.
It said medical staff and nurses who provided direct patient care would not be considered.
But HACSU state secretary Tim Jacobson said he was concerned that the jobs of allied health staff providing direct service delivery could be under threat.
"You're talking about physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, podiatrists, who all have direct patient contact," Mr Jacobson said.
"These are the same people that get people out of hospital beds quicker and keep people out of hospital beds when they're in the community."
Community and Public Sector Union state secretary Tom Lynch said a meeting at THO South yesterday had failed to clarify if jobs in pharmacy, pathology, and medical imaging could potentially be included in the redundancy process.
A government spokesman said that "after the rejection of the pay freeze, the Treasurer outlined the savings required and that included savings equivalent to 224 FTE across health".
"As with all areas of government, THO South is seeking to make reductions in administrative and management positions rather than people providing direct service delivery," the spokesman said.
