Published Tuesday, 03 August, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health
The Honourable Paul Lucas
NEW LOCAL PAYROLL MODEL PROGRESSING WELL
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said today the Government was well on the path towards delivering the new, local payroll model only one month after it was promised.
In response to the Auditor-General’s Report handed down on 29 June, the Government announced it would implement a dedicated pay hub to service every hospital by 30 September.
Mr Lucas said the Government was well on track to deliver on its commitment of strong, local links between payroll hub and local hospitals before the end of September.
The Government accepted all of the Auditor-General’s recommendations, including that Queensland Health continue the steps it had already taken to stabilise and improve the system.
“But we didn’t stop there,” Mr Lucas said.
“We announced a plan that went beyond implementing the Auditor-General’s recommendations.
“We have taken steps under the Government’s contract with IBM to hold that company accountable for its performance.
“We are running the ruler over the payroll applications to ensure the most appropriate software has been chosen for Queensland Health’s needs.
“We have commenced a review of the shared services delivery model, including the on-going role of Corptech.
“We’re strengthening Corporate Services in Queensland Health with new personnel and a new structure, under the interim leadership of Deputy Director-General Michael Walsh.
“And by the end of September, we will have a dedicated pay hub to service every hospital.
Mr Lucas said one month in there was good progress towards delivering the model.
“We have commenced rolling out a new, direct, personalised support service for staff who are experiencing problems with their pay.
“The Pay Hotline is successfully providing advice to hundreds of employees on matters ranging from underpays through to tax and super queries.
“And as the personalised model rolls out across the State, Queensland Health staff can make appointments with payroll hub staff to go over their documentation and work through any complex issues.
Mr Lucas said the new personalised model had been trialled in Brisbane and Townsville and consultation with staff and Unions on details of the model has seen support for it to operate throughout Queensland.
“I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important that consultation process is,” Mr Lucas said.
“Queensland Health let staff down before by not consulting them properly on the new system.
Mr Lucas said he was pleased that one month after Queensland Health began implementing the regional model, last Wednesday’s payday was the most stable and accurate since at least March.
“There’s still work to be done to deliver the world class pay system Queensland Health staff deserve, but one month after the new regionalised model was announced, the results are promising.”
Ends.
Contact: 3234 1185 or 3234 1184
In response to the Auditor-General’s Report handed down on 29 June, the Government announced it would implement a dedicated pay hub to service every hospital by 30 September.
Mr Lucas said the Government was well on track to deliver on its commitment of strong, local links between payroll hub and local hospitals before the end of September.
The Government accepted all of the Auditor-General’s recommendations, including that Queensland Health continue the steps it had already taken to stabilise and improve the system.
“But we didn’t stop there,” Mr Lucas said.
“We announced a plan that went beyond implementing the Auditor-General’s recommendations.
“We have taken steps under the Government’s contract with IBM to hold that company accountable for its performance.
“We are running the ruler over the payroll applications to ensure the most appropriate software has been chosen for Queensland Health’s needs.
“We have commenced a review of the shared services delivery model, including the on-going role of Corptech.
“We’re strengthening Corporate Services in Queensland Health with new personnel and a new structure, under the interim leadership of Deputy Director-General Michael Walsh.
“And by the end of September, we will have a dedicated pay hub to service every hospital.
Mr Lucas said one month in there was good progress towards delivering the model.
“We have commenced rolling out a new, direct, personalised support service for staff who are experiencing problems with their pay.
“The Pay Hotline is successfully providing advice to hundreds of employees on matters ranging from underpays through to tax and super queries.
“And as the personalised model rolls out across the State, Queensland Health staff can make appointments with payroll hub staff to go over their documentation and work through any complex issues.
Mr Lucas said the new personalised model had been trialled in Brisbane and Townsville and consultation with staff and Unions on details of the model has seen support for it to operate throughout Queensland.
“I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important that consultation process is,” Mr Lucas said.
“Queensland Health let staff down before by not consulting them properly on the new system.
Mr Lucas said he was pleased that one month after Queensland Health began implementing the regional model, last Wednesday’s payday was the most stable and accurate since at least March.
“There’s still work to be done to deliver the world class pay system Queensland Health staff deserve, but one month after the new regionalised model was announced, the results are promising.”
Ends.
Contact: 3234 1185 or 3234 1184