NEWS-HR

WA Health Minister Kim Hames has confirmed the equivalent of 1,163 jobs will need to go from the South Metropolitan Health Service if the Government is to bring spending back to sustainable levels.

The Trade Union Royal Commission has referred Kathy Jackson, former national secretary of the Health Services Union to prosecutors for possible charges over obtaining property and financial advantage by deception.

A deputy director-general and a highly paid chief executive in Queensland Health have been spectacularly stood down over allegations they conspired to get one of their spouses a plum job. Queensland Health deputy director-general of corporate services Sussan Middleditch, who earns about $400,000 a year, and eHealth Queensland chief executive Colin McCririck, who is paid a similar salary, were yesterday stood down by department boss Michael Walsh.

WA nurses will not demand hefty pay rises from the Government but will take action to protect conditions, the union says, as the deadline to thrash out a new three-year pay deal looms. The current enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) expires on June 30 and negotiations will soon commence on the next EBA, which starts on July 1. After threatening to strike on the eve of the 2013 state election, nurses secured a 14 percent pay rise. The State Government partly blames the generous increase for health costs blowing out by 8 per cent this financial year, forcing it to shed the equivalent of 1,163 positions.

The New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association is taking on the Australian Hospital Administration Pty Limited in the Fair Work Commission today.

An application for approval of the Clifford Hallam Healthcare Pty Ltd (Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales) & National Union of Workers Enterprise Agreement 2015 is being considered by Fair Work Commissioner Roe.

Brightwater Care Group (Inc) has been hauled before the industrial ‘beak’ to justify its dismissal of an ex-employee (Clelland).

Fair Work Commission has approved the Meercroft Care Inc Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2015.