Legislation to remove a level of bureaucracy from within the Tasmanian Health Service and allow for more local decision-making within the state’s public hospitals has passed the Legislative Council.
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The bill has passed with an amendment that the service’s executive team monitor and report on the outcomes of patient care, above its emphasis on reporting statistics and monitoring financial performance.
Murchison independent MLC Ruth Forrest, who moved the amendment, said it needed to be ascertained whether negative patient outcomes meant that returns to the health care system at a higher rate or refusal to re-enter hospitals.
The government late last year announced it would restructure the THS after months of criticism over decision-making within the health system.
The bill allow for the establishment of local advisory groups, one each in the North, North-West and the South.
Launceston independent MLC Rosemary Armitage said she hoped the health service restructure would assist in ridding the state’s public hospitals of recent negative perceptions.
She said the Launceston General Hospital had lost its accreditation in emergency medicine and had accredition in other specialities reduced since the single THS model was introduced.
This had affected the hospital’s ability to recruit, Ms Armitage said.
“Unfortunately I believe a lot of damage has already been done in our public hospital system, particularly with regards to morale,” she said.
Hobart independent MLC Rob Valentine said the restructure and its focus on local decision-making had the potential to see parochialism within the health service return.
“We need to make sure the system in place ensures the proper delivery of health services for all Tasmanians,” he said.
The bill will remove the THS’s governing council, at a saving of $525,000 a year, and its chief executive David Alcorn, who earns $500,000 a year.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Leonie Hiscutt said the government would honour all entitlements to Dr Alcorn, including severance entitlements.
She said the government could not reveal a payout amount until the restructure took place. Dr Alcorn signed a five-year contract with the THS on February 1, 2016.
A government spokesperson said it had inherited four health agencies under the previous government which did not work well for the state.
“In our first term, we reduced this to a single health service and the department,” they said.
“As a result of this legislation we will have a truly unified health system all in one organisation, with an agreed hospital services plan.”