METROPOLITAN HEALTH SERVICES

27 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (1 June 2010). How will the $49 million of operational savings by Metropolitan Health Services (as identified in the 2007-08 Budget) be achieved and what programs and services will be affected in achieving these savings?

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) (00:00): I am advised:

The Metropolitan health services were required to meet savings, as part of the 2007-08 Budget, of $48.689 million over the four years 2007-08 to 2010-11 through a range of operational savings.

Of the total 2009-10 savings of $15.674 million, approximately $13 million (2008-09 component) in savings have been achieved through the implementation of a range of Regional strategies.

In 2010-11, SA Health is continuing to work towards identifying strategies in consultation with Health Regions to meet existing and growth in savings required across the forward estimates. The management strategies targeted in 2010-11 include:

improved leave management through the standardisation of leave management and review of annual leave policies across the Portfolio

better management of overtime costs through a comprehensive review of overtime and the implementation of standard overtime policies across all major metropolitan hospitals

more efficient utilisation of agency staffing

reduction in administrative support costs through the review of all non-clinical services and the reduction of duplication of support services

vacancy management through review of historical practices surrounding filling vacancies and the focus of priority filling of essential positions.

These management strategies will not affect frontline health care services.