HEALTH DEPARTMENT LIBRARY

131 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (27 July 2010).

1. On whose advice or recommendation was the decision made to close the former Department of Human Services Library?

2. How many people were retrenched or offered a targeted voluntary separation package who were previously working within the Department of Human Services Library?

3. Were these former staff consulted or given any notice prior to being retrenched or redeployed?

4. How many people are currently working in the Health Services Library that is now housed within the Royal Adelaide Hospital and what is the extent of their workload?

5. Will the Health Services Library be transferred to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital?

6. What guarantees are there that independent research can be undertaken by staff currently working within the Health Services Library at the Royal Adelaide Hospital during times of need?

7. Where do leading oncology researchers currently undertake their independent health research now that the Department of Human Services Library has closed?

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

1. The closure of the Department of Health's central library and the transfer of its functions to the Royal Adelaide Hospital/Pathology SA library was one of a number of decisions resulting from a review of core business functions within the Central Office of the Department of Health. In the lead up to the decision all Government agencies were set targets to reduce the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

2. The Government has a policy of no forced redundancies in the public service, and all six library staff (5.4 FTE), were offered a targeted voluntary separation package.

3. Affected library staff were advised of the decision in a meeting with the Department of Health's Chief Executive, the Executive Director of Workforce Services and other senior managers. Staff were advised that they would be offered a separation package, given priority for suitable vacancies, and given opportunities to enhance existing skills and develop new ones.

4. Seven staff in total (6.1 FTE) are currently working in the Health Services Library within the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The library staff workload has not noticeably changed as work practices have been streamlined to become more efficient through, for example, the use of online resources.

5. A library function will be provided in the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. It will rely more on online resources than a physical presence, in-line with contemporary library practice. A 'library hub' will be established as part of the Academic Learning Centre, but details on shape, size and function are still to be determined as part of the design development process.

6. Research undertaken by library staff is normally done at the request of other staff, and is supported, in times of need, by the availability of the online resources (available via the internet and externally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) which include journals, clinical support tools, research databases and online books. Assistance from library staff is available on request.

7. Oncology researchers in the State health system have access to the library services of their own institutions. In addition, any previous patrons of the Department of Health Library have full access to the present library service as described above.