Women's and Children's Hospital

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): My questions are to the Minister for Health:

1. Can the Minister for Health outline the savings task required at the Women's and Children's Hospital this year?

2. How many staff will be reduced at the hospital through separation packages?

3. How much are consultants from KPMG due to cost taxpayers in relation to the Women's and Children's Hospital?

4. How many staff have applied for voluntary separation packages so far and how many have been accepted at the Women's and Children's Hospital?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:26): In relation to voluntary separation packages, I do want to stress that they are voluntary. It is a voluntary separation process in the sense that it is voluntary. Each application will be initiated by staff, not by management. It is also non-binding and staff can withdraw at any time. The Women's and Children's Hospital has already had one round of VSPs and they are about to start a second expression of interest call.

I am advised that 12.1 FTEs were separated as a result of the first round and that that was in response to 134 expressions of interest. Those made did not include any front-line staff on the basis of the advice that is given to me. In relation to KPMG, I will take that on notice. In relation to targets, let me reiterate again: there are no set targets in the voluntary separation processes. The management considers each application in terms of the relevance to the development of the service going forward.