13 October 2008

Displaced Health employees

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said displaced personnel in the health system were performing meaningful work for Area Health Services.

“There are currently just over 270 people on the displaced personnel list, who are in temporary positions and filling in for colleagues on maternity, long service or sick leave,” he said.

“It is wrong of the Opposition to claim these health workers aren’t working.”

Three examples of currently displaced staff:
• A finance officer working on an auditing project
• A purchasing officer working in a maintenance call centre
• A health education officer working in a training and development role

“At a time of skills shortages, Area Health Services are doing everything they can to attract and retain qualified staff,” he said.

“It is one of the major challenges in health.

“Restructuring can sometimes result in personnel losing their permanent position, but where possible we can use their expertise in other positions on a temporary basis.

“The displaced list represents less than 0.3 per cent of the NSW Health workforce and it is a clever way to make best use of one of our greatest assets: our dedicated personnel,” he said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au