Transforming Health

In reply to Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (24 March 2015).

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries):

At the heart of Transforming Health is quality, as we strive to deliver the best care, first time, every time to all South Australians.

Through Transforming Health, we are creating a health system where what's best for the patient comes first; which means changing the way we work.

It is important that our health system is responsive to the needs of our population today and adaptable to changes we will face in the future.

We have a responsibility to our patients, our staff and all South Australians to equip our workforce so we are in the best possible position to adopt emerging technologies and new standards of best practice.

Transforming Health will offer new opportunities to staff by developing new and expanded roles, including expanded practice roles and increased health capability.

I have established a Ministerial Clinical Advisory Group (MCAG) to lead Transforming Health's significant clinical improvement agenda to ensure changes under Transforming Health are clinician-led and quality focused.

The MCAG is being chaired by Professor Dorothy Keefe, Clinical Ambassador, Transforming Health, with membership of doctors, nurses, midwives and allied and scientific health professionals from across SA Health.

It will be supported by clinical working groups to develop models of care for specific elements of the health system that meet the clinical standards and quality principles agreed by our clinicians.

Consumers will be an important part of the process as members of the working groups to ensure the needs of patients are considered in planning our services.

Once new models of care are developed, detailed workforce profiling and modelling will be undertaken; and consultation will occur with clinicians, staff and the unions that represent them.