A NEW BEGINNING FOR HEALTH IN QUEENSLAND

Premier Anna Bligh has today released a comprehensive plan to abolish Queensland Health and start a new beginning for health in Queensland.

The final report has been completed by Shane Solomon - a national leader of KPMG’s health practice and former head of health in Hong Kong and Victoria.

The Premier said it details the single most significant shake-up of Health in Queensland ever undertaken and the largest decentralisation of a public sector agency in our State’s history.

“This is about a new beginning in health care in Queensland and the abolition of Queensland Health as we know it,” Ms Bligh said.

“This plan is a once in a generation opportunity to start from scratch and deliver the health system Queenslanders want and deserve.”

The report outlines the breakup of Queensland Health to create smaller stripped down agencies:

• Health and Hospitals Queensland (HHQ) to lead policy development and innovation in the key areas of hospital and clinical service delivery. (Estimated staff numbers 1751)
• Health Corporate Services Authority (HCSA) to be responsible for providing corporate services that better support frontline health staff, including functions such as finance, human resourcing systems and ICT . (Estimated staff numbers 4217)
• Core frontline health service delivery through 17 Local Health and Hospital Networks - services delivered by the community, for the community, in the community.
• Additional Health and Hospital Network will also be established to provide clinical services that need to be delivered at a state-wide level, such as pathology and radiology.

“Today’s plan outlines a bold vision for the future of health in this State – from July 2012, as part of the national health reform project health care will be managed locally by local networks,” said the Premier.

“But now we will split the old Queensland Health into two new government entities under separate Director-Generals, who will provide dedicated leadership and defined accountabilities.

“HHQ will lead policy development and innovation in the key areas of hospital and clinical service delivery. They will focus on initiatives such as continuing the State’s record breaking waiting list reductions.”

Health and Hospitals Queensland (HHQ) will be led by Dr Tony O’Connell, the recently appointed Director General of the old Queensland Health.

“Dr O’Connell, who has a wealth of experience in this area and has been key in leading a number of the very successful clinical improvements already undertaken in health, such as delivering the shortest elective surgery waiting lists in the country,” said the Premier.

“The Health Corporate Services Authority (HCSA) will be responsible for providing corporate services that better support frontline health staff, including functions such as finance, human resourcing systems and ICT.

“We will conduct a nationwide search to recruit a high level CEO and in the interim Ms Helen Gluer will be appointed to lead the transition to the new agency.

“Ms Gluer has extensive experience in both the banking and financial services industry and senior management.

“This experience has included the significant change management arising from the merger to create Stanwell Corporation Limited, Queensland's largest electricity generator from 1 July 2011.

“Ms Gluer has also held senior management roles such as Chief Financial Officer for Brisbane City Council, with oversight for human resources and change management.”

The Premier said that core frontline health service delivery will now be done through 17 Local Health and Hospital Networks, meaning services will be delivered by the community, for the community, in the community.

“Under our plan an additional Health and Hospital Network will also be established to provide clinical services that need to be delivered at a statewide level, such as pathology and radiology,” said the Premier.

“Like the other LHHNs, this too will have a Governing Council and will involve transferring around 2650 full-time equivalent staff away from the current Queensland Health corporate office to support its work.”

Ms Bligh said the two new agencies and local health and hospital networks will be in place from July 1 2012.

Numerous health staff and unions have been involved in this consultation process so far, with Government to undertake a further two weeks of consultation with unions and key health stakeholders as required.

“What we have outlined today is a bold plan that will see us completely transform health as we know it,” Ms Bligh said.

“This is a massive step and it’s the right step.

“It is something that has to happen, and it needs to happen now.

“This blueprint will deliver a better health system for the future, a health system all Queenslanders can be proud of.”

To view a copy of the report visit http://www.health.qld.gov.au/health-reform/default.asp

MEDIA CONTACT: Health Minister Office – 07 3234 1191

Premier’s Office on 07 3224 4500