HEALTH BUDGET

23 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (1 June 2010). Have the $7.3 million in savings to head office administrative efficiencies which were targeted in the 2006-07 Budget been achieved and if so, how have these savings been achieved?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): I am advised:

The Department of Health was required to meet savings as part of the 2006-07 Budget of $7.271 million over the four years 2006-07 to 2009-10 relating to head office administrative efficiencies. The Department of Health has achieved this savings target on a recurrent basis.

This savings target was achieved by the Department of Health as a result of strategies identified during a 2006-07 and 2007-08 Departmental review, which included management of vacant positions, internal organisational restructuring and general efficiencies.

These management strategies have not impacted on frontline health care services.