Released 21/09/2018
The ACT Government has appointed an independent panel to lead an Independent Review into the workplace culture of ACT public health services to ensure our public health care system continues to deliver a high level of care to the community, and is seen as an employer of choice for health professionals.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris announced the members of the panel who will oversee the Independent Review today, as well as the Review’s Terms of Reference.
“I’m pleased today to be able to outline further details of the ACT Government’s Independent Review into the workplace culture of our ACT public health services,” said Minister Fitzharris.
“The panel will comprise Mr Michael (Mick) Reid who will chair the panel, and two members, Ms Fiona Brew and Professor David Watters.”
Mick Reid (chair) has undertaken many roles in the Australian health system during a career that spans four decades. He recently spent three years as the Director-General of Queensland Health. As a consultant he has worked on a broad range of issues including healthcare workforce reform, clinical engagement and performance analysis. He has also provided mentoring services to many people engaged in senior positions within the health sector.
Fiona Brew has a background in nursing, and has been a senior health executive for more than ten years. She is a passionate advocate of education for health professionals and workforce innovation. Fiona understands the complex relationship with VMOs and other staff who are not permanently based or employed, and how the nursing culture can positively or negatively affect that and patient outcomes.
Prof David Watters AM is a Professor of Surgery at Deakin University and works at Barwon Health and the University Hospital Geelong. He has a strong interest in workplace culture and professionalism issues across the health sector, and was the President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons from 2015 to 2016.
“The independent panel will be tasked with making a range of decisions about the conduct of the review, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of submissions, and whether there will be public hearings or not. This is appropriate to ensure the independence of the review. The panel will also be given appropriate secretariat support to assist throughout this process,” said Minister Fitzharris.
Minister Fitzharris said the ACT Government invests significantly in the delivery of public health services to ensure safe, high quality healthcare for the ACT community and surrounding region.
“But we must make sure we are looking after our people as well as our patients.
“Improving workplace culture and staff engagement within our healthcare system has been a significant priority for the ACT Government, with a number of positive changes made in recent months including full accreditation of ACT Health and the Canberra Hospital for the maximum three years.
“We need to harness this momentum to build on these achievements and that is why, after extensive discussions with a wide range of people, I have established an Independent Review to investigate and report on the workplace culture as it relates to ACT public health services. This is the best process to learn, heal and improve.”
The Independent Review will be conducted so as to protect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals who make submissions, and those who may be the subject of complaints to ensure procedural fairness.
Protections for staff will carefully managed by the Independent Panel, and be enacted under existing legislation including the Privacy Act, Public Sector Management Act and Fair Work Act.
The panel will provide an interim report to government by 31 January 2019, and a final report by 30 March 2019. These reports will be made public and be tabled in the Legislative Assembly. The ACT Government will respond to the final report within three months.
“Staff within our ACT public health services, whether at ACT Health or Calvary Public Hospital, should feel confident to come forward through this process to offer their thoughts, concerns and experiences so we can learn, heal and improve our workplace culture.
“I look forward to receiving the panel’s findings and recommendations to government, and making the changes necessary to continue to build a positive culture within our public health system.
“What many people have told me is they want this process to be an opportunity to learn and improve and build a high performing health system to better serve our community. I am absolutely committed to this shared goal,” said Minister Fitzharris.
Details of the Independent Review, including the full Terms of Reference and when submissions will start to be accepted can be found on the ACT Health website: http://www.health.act.gov.au/Culture-Review
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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